So, is espresso supposed to be bitter? No. ... When done correctly, espresso extracts the most delicate flavors of the 800 to 1000 aromatic compounds that make up the taste profile of roasted coffee beans. Good espresso should taste like dark chocolate and leave a delicious caramel-like taste in your mouth.

Is espresso bitter or sour?

Most of all; it tastes particularly sour. You have probably extracted your espresso for too long. The lighter colors really come out toward the end of the brew along with that nasty bitter taste. Keep your brew time shorter.

What does a shot of espresso taste like?

Espresso is a highly concentrated beverage made from ground coffee beans. ... In general, espresso tastes very strong, slightly to quite bitter and often a bit tart like lemon. If made properly, it should have a naturally sweet finish. If it tastes deeply bitter, sour or watery, it probably wasn't made correctly.