Develop Your Coffee Palate from Home

Prepare both coffees the same way (with a French Press, for example), add a different ingredient to one and then compare the results.

Casual drinkers often face the issue of not being able to tell flavors of coffee the way professionals do. After having a taste of a “deep, strong and smoky tone” of their cup of coffee, they feel as if there’s no difference between that and a “fruity with cocoa taste.” This might seem simple at first, but to develop your coffee palate, you require lots of practice from home.

The difference between professional coffee tasters and you relies on the experience and constant practice. They learn to associate certain tastes with a specific taste and keep a record of each.

To learn the ways of experts you don’t need that much of formal training, but learning how to discern between the flavors you’re about to taste. If you want a more general understanding of each flavor, here are some tips to help you out:

1.- Drinking unadulterated coffee is mandatory

If you’re used to pouring some sugar or adding milk to your beverage, avoid doing it for now. You want to taste your coffee as pure as it is, without nothing else that can affect your criterion.

2.- Write down each detail of your coffee tasting

Do some research about each of the different tastes you can get from coffee before tasting it (check the coffee wheel). After the investigation is done, train your tasting skills and mind at the same time and write down each flavor you get after drinking.

3.- Get out of your comfort coffee zone

Perhaps you’re very fond of espresso, or you enjoy it straight black and simple. It’s time to seek for new flavors and sources. If you go to a café, make sure to ask for different roasts for your cup. Leaving your comfort zone will broaden your recognizing skills.

4.- Drink your coffee with all senses

Add your sixth sense if possible. Taste each cup and concentrate on every detail as you do so: taste, smell, texture and even looks. Sniff the coffee grounds before and after the brewing, as well. It’s important to let your mind get used to these little things that are often ignored while drinking.

5.- Drink it with both your head and cup cold

After serving your coffee, don’t just rush for a taste of it; wait instead. Hot brews are hard to taste because of the burning feeling. Your ideal temperature should be 60-70 ºC (instead of 80-90ºC, which is usual). If you drink your coffee cold, you’ll appreciate flavors more without getting a burn in the process.

6.- Read more, taste more

This is a matter of practice and repetition. The more you read about it and taste, the better you’ll be at discerning flavors. Your taste buds and brain are your main muscles here, put them to exercise weekly!

Developing your coffee palate isn’t easy, but with practice, you can create a database that will identify flavors.

Perhaps you won’t be at the same level of professional tasters, but your drinking experience will be more enjoyable than before. Now that I’ve mentioned professionals, it’s important to mention That Coffee Roasters provide free samples to their clients to taste their coffee products! Why not give them a call and try their coffee? Trust me; they won’t disappoint your taste buds!

Grab a piece of paper and write down every detail about the coffee you're tasting. Keep in mind that aspects like aroma, strength, and taste are crucial to differentiate each cup.

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That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

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