Coffee is an acquired taste. It takes time to learn how to discern a coffee’s qualities (or lack thereof).
Similar to drinking wine or smoking cigars, your senses need a chance to develop an appreciation for the complexities of a decent cup of joe. Also similar to wine or cigars, different people are drawn to different coffee characteristics.
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To taste a cup of coffee:
First take in the aroma. Your sense of smell significantly affects your taste.
Then sip enough coffee to cover your palate. It won’t take long for you to decide whether your overall grade is pass or fail (in your opinion).
You can separate a coffee’s overall grade into the following categories:
- Acidity – That biting, or dry quality that, when balanced, can be a good thing. Too much makes for excessive harshness, too little makes the coffee bland.
- Body – Also can be called “richness” or “fullness.” Not exactly the same thing as “thickness” but close.
- Flavor – A variety of other characteristics might mold a coffee’s overall flavor. It might be more or less floral, chocolaty, earthy, nutty, citrus, spicy or sweet.
- Related -
Pairing: Coffee and a Cigar
