How to taste coffee and what tasting notes mean
When a bag says "red fruit, citrus", nobody added fruit to the coffee. These are flavours and aromas in the beans themselves, shaped by origin, variety, processing and roast. With a little practice you learn to pick them out.
What tasting notes are
Tasting notes describe what a coffee reminds you of: fruit, flowers, chocolate, nuts, spices. They aren't additives; they're natural compounds in the beans. A natural-process Ethiopia Guji really does taste of fruit and citrus, and a dark-roasted Blend 1983 tastes of chocolate and nuts.
Four things to notice
- Acidity – a bright, lively feeling on the sides of the tongue, like an apple or citrus. Not "sour" in the bad sense. Light roasts are more acidic.
- Sweetness – flavours of caramel, honey, chocolate or ripe fruit. Good coffee is sweet even without sugar.
- Body – how full and heavy the coffee feels in your mouth, like the difference between skimmed and whole milk.
- Finish – the taste that stays after you swallow. In good coffee it's pleasant and lingers.
How to taste, step by step
- Smell the ground coffee, then the cup. Most of what we "taste" actually comes from the nose.
- Let it cool a little. Flavours are hard to pick out in very hot coffee; many only show up once the cup is warm.
- Sip with a short slurp, pulling in a little air, so the coffee spreads over your whole tongue.
- Ask simple questions: is it more fruity or chocolatey? Tangy or sweet? Light or full?
- Compare two coffees side by side. It's the fastest way to learn, for example a washed coffee against a natural one.
For the best tasting, brew as pour-over without milk and drink from a wide glass like the Stagg tasting glasses.
How it helps you choose
Once you know what you like, choosing is easy. Like a fruity, bright cup? Look for a light roast and a natural or washed process. Like a sweet, full cup? A medium to dark roast with chocolate notes. Not sure? Our short quiz recommends a coffee by taste.
Frequently asked questions
Are flavours added when a coffee says fruit or chocolate?
No. Tasting notes describe natural flavours and aromas in the beans, which come from origin, variety, processing and roast.
What's the difference between acidity and sourness?
Acidity is a pleasant brightness, like an apple or citrus. Unpleasant sourness is usually a sign the coffee was under-extracted, for example ground too coarse.
Why can't I taste the notes on the bag?
It takes practice, and the notes come through more when the coffee is warm rather than hot, and without milk. Try comparing two different coffees side by side.
How should I brew coffee for tasting?
As pour-over or AeroPress, without milk or sugar, at 1:16. That shows each coffee's character best.
Freshly roasted coffee, delivered
Whole beans, or ground especially for you after you order, at the grind that suits your method. Delivery across Israel, free over ₪250.
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