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How to Taste Coffee: Tips for Getting the Right Flavor
To truly appreciate the flavor of coffee, you need to be conscious of not just "drinking" it, but also "tasting" it. If you want to enjoy your daily cup of coffee more, we recommend you step into the world of tasting. Properly tasting coffee will cultivate your sensitivity to the aroma, flavor, and aftertaste, making your everyday cup of coffee even more fulfilling.
In this blog, we will teach you how to properly appreciate the flavor of coffee through tasting, as well as practical tips that even beginners can enjoy.
What is tasting?
Coffee tasting is the act of using all five senses to ascertain the aroma and flavor characteristics of coffee. In professional settings, it is also called "cupping" and is a technique used by roasters and baristas to evaluate quality and flavor. However, it is not just for professionals; it is a profound experience that can be enjoyed by casual coffee drinkers as well .
The appeal of tasting is that by "putting into words" the multiple elements present in one sip, the world of taste becomes clearer. By becoming aware of things that you have previously only vaguely perceived, such as sweetness, acidity, bitterness, and aroma, the coffee's character will be perceived in a completely different way.
What to prepare before the tasting
To properly appreciate the flavor, it is important to take note of some important points. Unlike everyday drinking, when tasting, it is necessary to carefully capture the aroma, taste, and aftertaste.
1. Selecting the beans to use
It's ideal to prepare several types of coffee beans and compare them. By choosing beans from different regions and roast levels, you can clearly see the differences and experience the range of flavors.
2. Standardize brewing methods
To accurately taste the differences between beans, it is important to keep the extraction conditions the same . Try to keep the water temperature, amount of grounds, and extraction time as consistent as possible. Hand drip and French press coffee makers are particularly well suited to tasting.
3. Prepare your environment
It is difficult to distinguish scents in places with perfumes or strong smells. Try to do it in a quiet place with as few smells as possible. Also, be aware that eating or brushing your teeth immediately beforehand can affect your sense of taste.
Feel the scent
The first thing to pay attention to when tasting is the aroma. Coffee contains a variety of aromatic compounds depending on the roast and place of origin, and the aroma alone can greatly change the impression of the flavor .
Aromas can be broadly divided into three categories: "dry aroma (the aroma of the powder)," "break aroma (the aroma that emerges the moment hot water is poured)," and "cup aroma (the aroma that rises when you drink)."
- Dry aroma: The aroma you smell the moment the beans are ground. It has a distinct fruity sweetness and nutty aroma.
- Break Aroma: The aroma that rises from the steam when hot water is poured in. This is where the strongest and most complex aromas emerge.
- Cup aroma: The aroma you sense the moment you bring the coffee to your mouth. The aroma just before drinking is closely related to the taste.
By taking your time to carefully savor the aroma, you will come to realize that a simple cup of coffee contains a deep individuality.
Understanding the composition of flavors
To evaluate the taste, you need to consciously observe everything from the moment it enters your mouth to the lingering aftertaste after you finish drinking it. The taste of coffee is made up of many elements, each with its own name and meaning.
- Acidity: A refreshing and sharp taste like citrus fruits. It is perceived as "brightness" rather than sourness.
- Sweetness: Natural sweetness derived from grains and fruits, different from sugar.
- Bitterness: A flavor created by roasting and extraction. Stronger is not necessarily better.
- Body: The weight and richness of the liquid. The feeling it leaves in your mouth indicates the richness of the coffee .
- Aftertaste: The taste and aroma that lingers after swallowing. A drink that lingers for a long time is said to have a "rich finish."
By keeping these things in mind while drinking, you will be able to clearly sense the balance and changes in flavor that you might normally overlook.
Tasting tips and practice
An easy way for beginners to get started is to do a "comparative tasting," where you prepare several types of coffee at home, brew them under the same conditions, and compare them.
- Prepare multiple small coffees
- Brew at the same temperature and using the same brewing method
- Take notes on the aroma, taste, and aftertaste
- Try to put into words the impressions you have
It's okay if you can't express it well at first. Feelings like "I kind of like it" or "It's refreshing" are the first step in tasting . As you repeat this process a few times, your vocabulary will increase.
Also, once you realize that the impression can change dramatically depending on the roasting method and brewing method, even with the same beans, your preferences will become clearer.
summary
Coffee tasting is a wonderful experience that enriches your everyday cup of coffee. Taking in the aroma deeply, exploring the layers of flavor in your mouth, and enjoying the lingering aftertaste after you've finished drinking it all is a precious time to engage with your own senses.
Even if you don't have any tools or knowledge, just by consciously tasting your coffee, your relationship with it will change little by little. If you can learn more about your favorite beans, even an everyday cup of coffee will feel like a completely new experience .
In the midst of busy days, it is very important to have quiet time to face yourself. Why not try tasting a cup of coffee to accompany such a moment?
