The Secrets to Coffee Tasting Revealed

Though coffee is enjoyed in nearly every country around the world, the art of coffee tasting remains a mystery to many. If you’re eager to begin your journey into coffee tasting, this guide will introduce you to the essential knowledge needed to become a connoisseur. We’ll also explore the differences between coffee tasting and cupping.

Cupping Vs. Tasting: What’s the Difference?

While coffee tasting and coffee cupping share similarities, they are distinct practices.

Coffee cupping follows a standardized process to evaluate the quality of coffee beans. It involves using only roasted beans and hot water, without specific brewing methods, to ensure an unbiased flavor profile. The beans are then scored, determining whether they qualify as specialty coffee or not. These scores often influence market prices.

Coffee tasting, on the other hand, is a broader practice that focuses on enjoying the flavors, aromas, and characteristics of brewed coffee. Unlike cupping, it doesn’t involve scoring but instead considers brewing methods and personal preferences. Many experts combine both techniques for a comprehensive understanding of coffee.

4 Crucial Steps for Coffee Tasting

If you want to truly experience your coffee, follow these four steps to enhance your appreciation of its flavors.

1. Smell

Taste and smell are closely connected. Before taking a sip, take a moment to inhale the aroma. A coffee’s scent can evoke strong emotions and set expectations for its flavor.

2. Slurp

While it may not be considered polite in everyday settings, slurping helps spread the coffee evenly across your tongue and palate, allowing you to fully experience its flavors.

3. Locate

Pay attention to how the coffee feels on your tongue. Notice whether it is thick or light, and determine where the flavors are most pronounced. This step helps in evaluating the overall taste experience.

4. Describe

When describing coffee, consider its aroma, acidity, body, and flavor. These characteristics will help you compare different coffees and determine your personal preferences.

4 Essential Coffee Tasting Characteristics

Use these four characteristics to describe coffee in a way that’s both professional and easy to understand.

Aroma

With the ability to detect an enormous range of scents, people may perceive coffee aromas differently. Some common descriptions include nutty, earthy, chocolatey, floral, or spicy.

Acidity

In coffee tasting, acidity does not refer to pH levels but rather the sensation on the tongue. A bright, lively feeling suggests higher acidity, while a smooth, mellow sensation indicates a more balanced coffee.

Body

The body of a coffee refers to its texture and weight on the palate. A light-bodied coffee feels thinner and more delicate, while a full-bodied coffee is rich, creamy, and lingers on the tongue.

Flavor

When identifying coffee flavors, here are some commonly used terms:

• Vegetal/Herbal – Refreshing, green, and fresh
• Fruity – Sweet and ripe, like berries or citrus
• Sour – Tangy, bright, and acidic
• Sweet – Sugary, resembling honey or caramel
• Nutty – Earthy and toasty
• Floral – Light, delicate, and fragrant
• Spicy – Warm, like cinnamon or cloves

A Beginner’s Guide to Coffee Cupping

If you’re interested in evaluating coffee beans, follow this step-by-step guide to coffee cupping. This method pairs well with tasting, as it helps reveal how coffee’s flavor changes after brewing.

Step-by-Step Coffee Cupping Guide:

1. Gather your supplies.
2. Place coffee samples in cupping bowls.
3. Heat the water.
4. Set the timer.
5. Evaluate the coffee’s aroma.
6. Break the crust (the coffee grounds floating on top).
7. Remove remaining grounds.
8. Let the coffee cool slightly.
9. Slurp to assess flavors.
10. Dispose of used coffee grounds responsibly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Coffee Tasting

If you’re just starting your coffee-tasting journey, here are a few mistakes to avoid:

• Don’t discuss your opinions too soon. Wait until everyone has tasted their coffee to avoid influencing others.
• Pace yourself. If tasting multiple coffees, consider spitting out some sips to avoid caffeine overload.
• Stay humble. Coffee tasting is an ongoing learning process, with flavors varying across different roast levels and origins. Keep an open mind and continue expanding your knowledge.

Level up: flavor wheel, temperature and aftertaste

• Use a flavor wheel. The Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel, created by the Specialty Coffee Association and World Coffee Research, starts broad at the centre (fruity, nutty, sweet) and gets specific at the edge (lemon, almond, brown sugar). Start in the middle and work outward, and naming what you taste gets much easier.
• Taste as it cools. Coffee changes with temperature. Very hot coffee hides flavor, while sweetness and acidity become clearer as it cools. Take a sip when it’s hot, warm and near room temperature.
• Notice the finish. After you swallow, pay attention to the aftertaste. Is it clean and sweet, or dry and bitter, and does it fade quickly or linger? A long, pleasant finish is a sign of good coffee.
• Keep a coffee journal. Note the coffee, roast date, brew method and what you tasted. Patterns appear quickly, and you’ll learn what you like.
• Build a flavor library. Smell and taste everyday foods on purpose, such as calamansi, mango, dark chocolate, peanuts and muscovado. Coffee descriptors come from real foods, so the more you know, the more you’ll notice.

Try a side-by-side tasting at home

The fastest way to train your palate is to compare. Brew two to four coffees the same way, with the same ratio, grind and water, and taste them next to each other. Philippine coffee makes this easy, because the species taste so different:

Our assorted drip bags are an easy way to set up this tasting without any equipment. Or request a free sample.

By following these tips, you’ll develop a deeper appreciation for coffee and enhance your tasting skills over time. Enjoy the journey!

Related: brewing tips