Your Coffee Tastes Like What? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Your Coffee Tastes Like What?

An in-depth look into the world of coffee tasting.

264
Your Coffee Tastes Like What?

"Nutty with varying tones of vanilla and aromatic pomegranate along with highlights of..." JUST STOP RIGHT THERE. There's no way that coffee can taste like all of these things. I mean isn't there just one coffee flavor? COFFEE! Duh! That makes sense doesn't it. These are the thoughts that run through my mind as I stand in line at Starbucks and begin reading the descriptions of each roast of coffee beans. In all seriousness, does anyone truly analyze the taste of their coffee on their commute to work or their cold morning walk to classes? Maybe. But the vast majority of people are just trying to find something that keeps them warm and keeps them going for the morning grind. However, it was my goal to get to the bottom of this taste debate. So after some investigation, here is what I managed to find.

I began my search at one of the better known coffee roaster's website, Counter Culture Coffee. They use a wheel of flavors and aromas that are color coordinated to determine flavors of coffee. The whole thing is pretty overwhelming. It also brought up some important questions such as "How does coffee taste like melons?" and "How can coffee be 'tea-like,' isn't it coffee?" However, after reading some other sites it turns out there is a method to this madness.

Becoming a coffee taster is quite a process as demonstrated by this article on coffee.org http://www.coffee.org/Becoming-a-Coffee-Taster-Coffee-Tasters . This basic idea behind all of it, is that there IS actually a process and resource pool for people who want to become coffee tasters. There's a certificate program and a whole association dedicated to professional coffee tasters. Now for those of you who are reading this thinking "What a bunch of B.S," I am right there with you because that's exactly what I said at first. However, there actually seems to be something more to it even if it seems like a bunch of malarkey.

So apparently, there is this thing called "Cupping" that professionals do in tasting coffee. Now, while cupping may have numerous definitions on Urban Dictionary, it means something completely different in this situation (so get your head out of the gutter!). First, the beans are weighed, ground, and separated by particle size. Next, the beans go through a smelling process and are eventually brewed. They should form a crust on the top of the cup. Finally, the coffee is tasted with a spoon. You are actually supposed to slurp the coffee from the spoon to get the best taste. From this process, it is said that professionals who are properly trained can pick out even those slightest of aromatic flavors in coffee beans.

So I guess there really isn't a defined answer to this question of tastes. You either have the gift of expert coffee tasting or you simply don't. Either way, it still seems pretty ridiculous to market a specific type of coffee as having "tones of xyz..." and "an aromatic presence of 'who cares?'...". In this coffee drinker's opinion, the jury is still out.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

183519
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

10077
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

454457
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

24482
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments