Coffee Guide
Everything you need to know about coffee - from understanding origins to mastering brewing techniques.
Understanding Coffee Origins
Coffee's flavor is deeply influenced by where it's grown. Factors like altitude, climate, soil type, and processing methods all contribute to the unique characteristics of coffee from different regions.
African Coffees
Known for bright acidity, floral notes, and fruity flavors. Ethiopia and Kenya are particularly famous for their distinctive, wine-like characteristics.
Central American
Balanced coffees with bright acidity and clean flavor profiles. Known for chocolatey, nutty notes with citrusy brightness.
South American
Rich, full-bodied coffees with lower acidity. Brazilian coffees are known for nutty, chocolatey flavors, while Colombian coffees offer caramel sweetness.
Asian Coffees
Earthy, herbal flavors with full body and low acidity. Indonesian coffees often have unique processing that creates distinctive flavor profiles.
Coffee Processing Methods
How coffee cherries are processed after harvest significantly affects the final flavor in your cup. Understanding these methods helps you choose coffees that match your taste preferences.
Washed (Wet) Process
Cherries are pulped to remove the fruit, then fermented and washed. Results in clean, bright flavors with pronounced acidity and clarity.
Natural (Dry) Process
Whole cherries are dried in the sun. Creates fruity, wine-like flavors with heavy body and sweetness from the fruit sugars.
Honey Process
A hybrid method where some fruit is removed but mucilage remains during drying. Results in balanced sweetness and body.
Brewing Methods
The brewing method you choose can dramatically change how your coffee tastes. Each method extracts different compounds and emphasizes different aspects of the coffee's flavor profile.
Pour Over
Clean, bright flavors with clarity. Great for highlighting origin characteristics.
French Press
Full body and rich texture. Emphasizes oils and creates a heavier mouthfeel.
Espresso
Concentrated and intense. Highlights sweetness and creates a syrupy body.
Tasting Coffee
Learning to taste coffee involves understanding the key components that make up flavor: aroma, acidity, body, and flavor notes.
The Coffee Tasting Process
- Aroma: Smell the dry grounds, then the wet coffee after brewing
- First Sip: Notice the initial flavors and acidity
- Body: Feel the weight and texture in your mouth
- Flavor: Identify specific taste notes as the coffee cools
- Finish: Notice the aftertaste and how long flavors linger
Fruity
Berry, citrus, stone fruit
Floral
Jasmine, rose, lavender
Nutty
Almond, hazelnut, walnut
Chocolate
Cocoa, dark chocolate
Ready to Put Your Knowledge to Use?
Explore our curated collection of coffee beans and apply what you've learned.
Discover Coffee