Sam was intrigued by the TrueBrew coffee maker but quickly realized that understanding its inner workings was no easy feat. Determining the weight of the beans, the original volume of water, and the temperature in the brewing chamber was nearly impossible, making the process a bit of a mystery.
However, Sam found solace in the fact that he could measure the total dissolved solids (TDS) to gauge the drink’s strength. With a TDS of 3.99, the coffee resembled a half-strength espresso. Excited to explore further, Sam decided to make two consecutive 12-ounce cups. To his surprise, both cups poured a little under 10 ounces. While Sam found this acceptable, it was worth noting that some online sources experienced fluctuating pour sizes with the TrueBrew. It would be wise to keep an eye on user reviews as more people purchase this machine.
Unfortunately, the taste of the coffee was not up to par. The TDS for both cups measured around 1.40, which Sam deemed “kinda ideal.” However, it lacked the desired flavor profile. Sam described it as weak and bitter, comparing it to the despised workplace coffee that nobody enjoys. Disappointed by this feedback, the team decided to investigate the reason behind this underwhelming taste.
Sam began to wonder if the machine’s messiness was to blame. He hypothesized that remnants of coffee grounds left behind in the machine could contribute to over- and under-extraction, resulting in a bitter taste. Factors such as grind size, water, temperature, and contact time with the grounds could also impact extraction. The team felt like they were trapped in the worst of both worlds, unable to find the right balance. In an attempt to pinpoint the issue, they decided to switch to Olympia’s William Rojas Pink Bourbon Micro Lot from Columbia.
To their disappointment, the change in coffee did not improve the situation. Sam concluded that the TrueBrew coffee maker was only able to produce mediocre cups, even with high-quality coffee beans. It was baffling to him that a seemingly one-touch machine was not able to consistently deliver exceptional coffee. Instead, it seemed to be limited in its capabilities, leaving users stuck with subpar results.
After trying various styles of coffee and tweaking different settings, the team realized they had exhausted all options for achieving a satisfactory cup of coffee. With a sense of resignation, they decided to give the TrueBrew a final assessment after nearly two weeks of use. Upon inspecting the infuser, they discovered a mound of wet grounds behind the arm that clears spent coffee pucks. It also appeared that some grounds had scattered throughout the machine. This discovery confirmed their suspicion that the machine’s cleanliness and internal design were major factors contributing to the lackluster coffee.
In the end, the TrueBrew coffee maker fell short of expectations. While it offered the convenience of freshly ground coffee without the use of capsules, it failed to deliver an exciting and exceptional brew. Disappointed by their experience, the team decided to return the machine. In conclusion, Sam stated that the TrueBrew should have offered more, but it ultimately fell flat.
