How to learn to understand coffee as well as a barista

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Simple tips to help you reach a new level of understanding of the drink.

Find out how coffee is different from different countries

Coffee is produced by countries located in the so-called coffee belt of the Earth. It is located between 10 ° south latitude and 10 ° north. There are four main coffee exporters: Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia and Indonesia. Since the climate, soil, altitude and cultivation technologies differ in each country, the taste of the same coffee variety will differ depending on the manufacturer.

Brazilian coffee is usually strong and has a nutty flavor. Guatemalan is distinguished by its flavor of flowers and spices. Indian - strong and chocolatey. Kenyan tastes sour and berries. You will have to find out what you like most empirically.

Find out what types of coffee are there

There are over eighty types of coffee tree, and only two of them are suitable for making coffee: Arabica, or Arabian coffee, and Robusta, or Congolese coffee.

Arabica grows at an altitude of 600-2,000 meters on mountain slopes and plateaus. It has a mild taste and aroma. Robusta is stronger, bitter and less aromatic. It grows in equatorial forests at an altitude of 600 meters. It is used to make instant coffee. It is also often found in coffee blends along with Arabica. It is believed that the ideal proportion of grains in a mixture is 60% Arabica and 40% Robusta.

Understand the different degrees of roast

Light grains are more pungent and sour in taste, while darker ones are richer in flavor and contain less caffeine. Refried grains have a charcoal flavor. However, the taste and aroma of the drink depend not only on the roast, but also on the type of coffee. Different beans react differently to the roasting process.

The table summarizes the main types of coffee roasting.

Roasting type	Roasting temperature	Peculiarities
Cinnamon Roast	195 ° C	Light brown grains with a slight richness of taste, noticeably pronounced acidity and a delicate bread aroma.
New England (Light or New England Roast)	205 ° C	Light brown grains. Taste with pronounced sourness, but no bread notes.
American (American Roast)	210 ° C	Light brown color. Roasting is popular in the Eastern United States and is used during professional coffee tastings.
City Roast	220 ° C	Rich brown color. Roasting is popular in the western US, suitable for tastings.
Full City Roast	225 ° C	Rich brown color. The taste is dominated by caramel and chocolate notes.
Vienna Roast	230 ° C	Dark brown color. Bittersweet caramel notes, minimum acidity. This roast is sometimes used for espresso.
French (French Roast)	240 ° C	Dark brown grains. A minimum of sourness, burnt notes. Popular espresso roast.
Italian (Italian Roast)	245 ° C	A very dark brown color. The taste is more pronounced than with a French roast. Common espresso roast.
Spanish (Spanish Roast)	250 ° C	Almost black grains. Few coffees withstand this roast.

Understand the grind

There are three main types of grinding: fine, medium and coarse. Fine is intended for brewing coffee in a Turk. A distinctive feature of such coffee is a large amount of suspension, due to which the drink turns out to be thick and viscous.

Medium grind is intended for carob coffee makers: to avoid clogging the filter holes.

Coarse grinding is needed for a French press: coffee beans get stuck in the mesh of the French press and do not fall into the cup. Coarse coffee is brewed for at least six minutes.

Cook differently

There are many traditional and alternative ways to brew coffee. Here are the main ones.

Way	Grinding	Peculiarities
Turk	Small	An ancient and affordable way to brew Turkish coffee. If you do not miss the boiling point, you get a thick and rich drink with foam.
Carob coffee machine	Average	An expensive and automated way. The output is good espresso, but not always as high quality as in coffee shops.
Capsule coffee maker	Average	Method for the lazy: no need to wash the coffee maker from the grounds and grind coffee. Main disadvantage: capsules are expensive.
Geyser coffee maker	Average	A fast and affordable way to brew. The drink turns out to be similar to espresso.
French press	Large	An economical way to brew coffee. As easy as making instant coffee, but much more delicious. The taste is soft, one teapot is enough for a whole company.
Chemex	Large	The flask-like Kemex coffee maker is on display at the New York Museum of Modern Art as a standout piece of contemporary design. This coffee maker produces delicate coffee.
Hario	Average	A Japanese brew similar to a kemex. The only difference is the presence of a groove for air passage. This makes the coffee more aromatic.
Aeropress	Small or medium	A method similar to a French press, but thanks to a paper filter, the drink is clean, without suspension. You can take Aeropress with you on a hike.

Drink coffee right

• Truly good coffee doesn't need milk and sugar, just like aged whiskey needs cola.
• Don't drink hot coffee. Warm drink tastes better.
• Pay attention to the texture of the drink. Is the coffee strong? Sweet? Does it taste sour? Or burnt?
• Experiment with different roasts, varieties, producing countries, and brewing methods. Write down your feelings so you don't forget.

How to choose coffee beans

• The package must contain comprehensive information about the product.
• The packaging must be free from defects.
• Check roast and batch date. If possible, sniff the grains.
• Do not take more than 200 g of beans at a time. Coffee loses its aroma if left for a long time.
• Keep in mind that grains harvested in the valleys contain several times more caffeine than mountain grains.