Coffee is complex. It embodies thousands of aromatic compounds. The ability to taste distinctive note is remarkable, yet challenging. Whether you're a home brewer, coffee professional, or simply a coffee lover seeking to unravel the hidden flavors in your cup, this blog post is for you.
The challenge is that we want to taste what we tasted in a coffee shop, or we want to taste what the roaster put in their bags. So we follow recipes, we buy equipment, but we can't taste the actual notes that are in the bag. And it's quite frustrating.
I've been there and I've roasted and also brewed a lot of coffee in the past and sometimes it was hard to get those notes.
Embrace Your Unique Tasting Journey
First things first, coffee tasting is a subjective and personal journey. There are no right or wrong answers; your perception of flavor is influenced by various factors such as age, gender, background, and diet. So, let go of any preconceived notions and allow your senses to guide you through this captivating adventure.
If you never came across a blueberry, for example, how would you describe it?
You'd associate it to something that you are familiar with.
So the first tip to improve your palate is to taste every single thing. If we dig a little bit into your brain - whenever you taste something, a series of sensory action is triggered - evoke, measure, analyze and interpret. Additionally, your senses are going to create a card. So you have the visual, the smell, the taste and maybe the sound of the crunchiness.
Same thing for coffee. But if you have ever experienced or
The Incredible Power of Your Nose
Before you even take that first sip, your nose plays a critical role in coffee tasting. Did you know it can detect almost 10,000 different smells? That's right! Your nose acts as a gateway to the flavors hidden in your cup. Aromatic compounds released during brewing contribute significantly to your coffee's taste. So, the next time you savor a cup, take a moment to inhale the enticing aroma and prepare your palate for the delightful journey ahead.
If you've ever been sick, or you can just pinch your nose and you eat an apple, you really don't know that it tastes like an apple. You feel the crunchiness of an apple, but you have no idea that it tastes like an apple.
You can see it in coffee when you drink the same coffee in a different glass.
"Your nose acts as a gateway to the flavors hidden in your cup"
Key Sensory Coffee Definitions
To fully appreciate the nuances of coffee, familiarize yourself with some key terms. Aroma refers to the smell of brewed coffee, while flavor encompasses the coffee's principal characteristics. Acidity, often misunderstood as bitterness, adds brightness and a delightful zing to your cup. Meanwhile, body refers to the tactile feeling of the liquid in your mouth, ranging from light and tea-like to velvety and creamy. Lastly, balance ensures that all attributes harmonize for a well-rounded flavor profile.
All the attributes need to play a role in the cup. When you taste coffee, there's no rule, just try to describe it using other words, colors, shapes, etc.
Tips for Elevating Your Palate
Now, let's dive into some practical tips to enhance your coffee tasting skills:
a) Taste Everything: Expand your sensory spectrum by tasting a variety of ingredients beyond coffee. From spices to fruits and cereals, explore the world of flavors.
b) Use Descriptive Words: Instead of simply labeling flavors as "coffee," challenge yourself to describe them with precision. Discover the floral, fruity, spicy, or chocolatey notes that make each coffee unique.
c) Mindfulness Tasting: Engage all your senses during the tasting process. Observe the aroma, identify the flavor attributes, feel the acidity and body, and savor the aftertaste.
d) Compare and Contrast: Taste different coffees side by side to understand how their attributes differ. By comparing various brews, you'll hone your palate and develop a deeper appreciation for the complexities of coffee.
Start your journey with us
Congratulations! You've embarked on a journey to improve your coffee palate and elevate your tasting experience. Remember, coffee tasting is an art that requires practice and mindfulness. Embrace your unique sensory journey, and savor every cup with curiosity and wonder. At Memli Coffee Lab, we invite you to explore our specialty coffee offerings, each meticulously sourced to bring you the finest flavors from around the world. Cheers to your continued coffee sensory adventure!
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