How to Taste Different Flavors in a Cup of Coffee

What do you look for in your cup?

Relax, we know how confusing talking about coffee can be. When people start talking about specialty coffee and how bold its body is or how acidic it tastes, all we can think about is: isn’t coffee just bitter and sometimes sweet if you add sugar? At first, we might be skeptical about how different coffee can actually be depending on its properties and origins, but once you learn to tell its nuances and qualities, a new world of flavors and contrasts will open up right in front of you.

So where do we begin? Is there a right way to drink coffee to better understand its characteristics? On today’s article, we’ll explore how we can train our senses to enjoy all that coffee truly has to offer.

The first thing you’ll need to do: forget about sugar and cream. We tend to add different ingredients to our coffee to make it sweeter, but they mask the best properties hidden behind coffee when it’s brewed pure. You’ll be able to sense more if you drink it simple and black. That’s how professionals do coffee cupping, which is the practice of tasting different brews to identify their different notes.

Exactly what will you be able to distinguish when you try it this way? Among others, you get to discover a new fragrance, aroma, sweetness, acidity, body and the aftertaste. Here’s how to find them in your cup of joe.

Fragrance perception

This part of the process is done with your dry coffee grounds, because it’s believed to be the most aromatic coffee form. Try to clear your mind and let your memories take over when smelling your grounds. This way, you’ll be able to tell if your coffee has fruity, floral or herbal notes. Once you’ve identified the predominant fragrance, you can even go further and try to specify its qualities. If it’s fruity, what kind of fruit do you smell? Is it citric like oranges or sweet peaches?

Aroma perception

This is the first time you’ll be mixing coffee with hot water, which will provoke the coffee aromas to arise. This part of the process depends heavily on how the coffee was roasted; you’ll be able to differentiate these three main categories: nutty-like notes, caramel-like notes and cocoa-like notes. The last two are typical of darker roasts and they’re perfect to take along with chocolate desserts. If, on the other hand, you sense a nutty-like aroma, then you can try to find descriptors such as almonds, peanuts or hazelnuts.

Sweetness

It’s time to taste coffee! Yes, you finally get to drink it. The first sips will let you know how sweet your coffee really is. It can actually come in different notes, such as candy-like, malty-like and fruity-like sweetness. Try to concentrate on how sweet your coffee tastes, so you can actually tell these notes apart from other coffee qualities.

Acidity

Acidity is one of the most popular qualities of coffee. Highly acidic coffees are usually light roasted and they’re perfect to accompany with fruity desserts like pies. You can tell the acidic grade of your coffee if your tongue starts to salivate once you start tasting it thoroughly. Possible descriptors include acid comparable to oranges or lemons and acid similar to green apples.

Body

We’ve reached the famous body. What are people talking about when they say coffee has a full body? It doesn’t describe too much about the taste as it does about the texture. Think about water and the way it feels inside your mouth. Now think about maple syrup, one is fuller than the other and feels heavier in your mouth, right? That’s the body of the drink! To identify this quality, take a sip and fake chew the coffee on your tongue. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Does it feel heavy like syrup or honey?
• Does it feel rugged because of small coffee ground particles?
• Is there no real feeling and it’s actually more watery?

Aftertaste

You’ve sipped your coffee all the way through, what’s left? This part of the cupping process simply refers to how much aftertaste comes with the brew? Help yourself by inhaling a little bit of air and allowing yourself to feel if there’s a strong taste left behind or if it’s gone almost completely.

Once you learn to distinguish the tones and nuances of every cup, you’ll also be able to enjoy coffee like never before. At That Coffee Roasters, part of our daily routine involves cupping and identifying our roasts qualities. It’s complex but a wonderful process, and we’re always amazed at how much some processing and farming methods can change a single drink.

What are your favorite flavors?

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That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

Facebook: That Coffee Roasters

Instagram: thatcoffeeroasters

Homemade Pumpkin+Coffee Recipes to Try This Fall

Grab your long-sleeve pajamas and enjoy these recipes that will make you feel nice and cozy.

It’s not every day of the year that we can indulge ourselves and enjoy autumn’s warm and delicious desserts as if the chilly weather would kill us if we didn’t give our bodies their deserved sweets ration. And each Autumn season people seem to get more and more obsessed with adding pumpkin to everything they eat before winter hits. Just like we do with coffee... except we do it all year long.

We’ve said it before: the secret to combining coffee with food is to do it mixing similar or complementary flavors and aromas. That’s the reason why pumpkin's sweet, yet spicy, taste has great potential if prepared with coffee. Would you dare to bring the best of both ingredients right into your palate?

As November arrives and Thanksgiving is just around the corner, this is your perfect chance to try these recipes and share them with your family and friends. Whatever’s left, you can always enjoy it the next day snuggling under your blankets, remembering the good ol’ times back at home, and your Grandma’s pumpkin pies.

So throw away those synthetic pumpkin's spice products and go back with nostalgia to autumn's golden scents by making these homemade recipes:

Pumpkin Chocolate-Chunk Espresso Muffins with Coffee Drizzle

It’s no secret that coffee and dark chocolate represent one of the best combinations that have ever blessed the Earth. So this time, add a little pumpkin into the mix, and you’ll have a perfect dessert for your Thanksgiving dinner! They’re easy to make and utterly charming. Here’s what you’ll need:

Muffins:

• 1 and ½ cup (180 g) all-purpose unbleached flour
• 1 and ½  teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 6 tablespoons (90 g) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
• 1 and ⅓ cup (267 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (244 g) canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• ⅓ cup whole (or low-fat) milk
• 3 ounces bittersweet (or semisweet) chocolate, chopped *or semi-sweet chocolate chips

Coffee Glaze Drizzle:

• ¼ teaspoon instant espresso coffee powder
• ½ teaspoon hot water
• ¾ cup powdered sifted sugar
• 1 tablespoon whole milk
• ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a standard muffin pan with liners or grease the pan lightly. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, espresso powder, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon.
3. Place the softened butter in a stand mixer, fitted with paddle attachment. Beat the butter at low speed for about 30 seconds.
4. Turn the mixer to medium speed and slowly add the granulated sugar, creaming the butter and sugar until it has a light color (about 3-4 minutes). Add one egg at a time, and mix until each egg is incorporated fully. Scrape the bowl to ensure that all of the ingredients are incorporated evenly.
5. Add the pumpkin puree and vanilla, and mix at low speed until just blended (mixture will look slightly broken). Add the flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with 2 additions of milk. Beat at low speed until just combined. Scrape the bottom of the mixing bowl to ensure that all of the ingredients are incorporated. Stir in the chopped bittersweet chocolate.
6. Using a spoon or large scoop, divide the batter evenly among the muffin pan. Bake at 350 degrees (on center rack) for 23-26 minutes, or until the muffins are springy to touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Place muffin tin on a cooling rack, and allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5-7  minutes. Remove the muffins from pan, place them on a cooling rack, and allow them to cool completely before glazing.

Prepare Coffee Glaze:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the espresso powder and hot water and whisk until the powder is fully dissolved. Add the sifted powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract and whisk until the glaze is relatively thick (and will set easily), yet drizzles freely. If the glaze is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. If the glaze is too thick, add a bit more milk.
2. Place the cooled muffins on a rack over a large sheet of wax paper. Using a small whisk or spoon, drizzle the glaze back and forth over muffins' tops (you’ll want to do this about a foot above them, to make sure it falls evenly). Allow the glaze to set for 10-15 minutes, or serve immediately.

Recipe by: A Beautiful Plate

Pumpkin Spice Latte

You’ve probably already had a ton of these in your nearest Starbucks, but did you know you can make them fairly easily at home? And this time you can actually add pumpkin! We couldn’t leave this classic behind, so get these ingredients and start to work:

If you don’t want to buy a pre-made pumpkin spice, you can make your own mixing these spices:

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon allspice
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground mace
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

After you prepare or have this, continue with the recipe. You’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons pumpkin purée
• ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more to garnish
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 to 2 shots espresso (about ¼ cup), or ⅓ to ½ cup strong coffee
• ¼ cup heavy cream, whipped into firm peaks

Preparation:

1. Heat the pumpkin and spices: heat the pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and a generous helping of black pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat, constantly stirring, until it's hot and smells cooked (about 2 minutes).
2. Stir in the sugar: add the sugar and stir until the mixture looks like a bubbly, thick syrup.
3. Warm the milk: whisk in the milk and vanilla and warm gently, observing carefully to make sure it doesn't boil over.
4. Blend the milk: carefully process the mixture with a hand blender or in a traditional blender (hold the lid down tightly with a thick wad of towels!) until it's frothy and blended.
5. Mix the drinks: make the espresso or coffee and divide it between 2 mugs. Add the frothed milk and pumpkin mixture. Top with the whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, or nutmeg if desired.

Recipe by: Faith Durand

Easy Pumpkin Coffee Cake
If you want to add a piece of sweetness to your weekend, then this quickly-made cake is here to save the day. Check out which ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 (18 ounces) package yellow cake mix
• 1 (1 lb) can pumpkin
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup oil
• 3 eggs
• 1⁄2 cup chopped nuts
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Topping:

• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup flour
• 1⁄4 cup butter or 1⁄4 cup margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, combine cake mix, pumpkin, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice.
3. Blend at low speed for 1 minute if using a stand mixer or until completely moistened if mixing by hand.
4. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed if using a stand mixer, or whisk for 2 minutes until batter is smooth and slightly lighter in color than when you began.
5. Fold in the nuts.
6. Spread batter into a greased and floured 13x9x2-inch pan.
7. In a medium bowl combine the sugar, flour, softened butter, and cinnamon with a fork or pastry blender until the mixture is crumbly.
8. Sprinkle crumbs evenly over batter.
9. Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes, until center springs back when touched lightly.

Recipe by: Sarah in Genius Kitchen

Mini Pumpkin Churros with Chocolate-Coffee Dipping Sauce

These churros might sound like the trickiest ones of this list, but they’re actually very simple to make. You will only need 35 minutes to finish them. Enjoy this tantalizing and delicious mixture of cinnamon, vanilla, coffee, and chocolate! This is what you’ll need:

Chocolate-Coffee Dipping Sauce:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Churros:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, plus more for finishing
• ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ¾ cup pure pumpkin puree
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
• ¾ cup pure cane granulated sugar, for rolling

Preparation:

For the dipping sauce:

1. Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan.
2. Put the chocolate in a medium bowl.
3. Add the hot cream to the bowl with the chocolate and let sit for 1 minute. Gently whisk until smooth.
4. Stir in the coffee liqueur and vanilla extract. Keep it warm.

For the churros:

1. Whisk together the flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, the cloves, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, the nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.
2. Bring 1 1/2 cups water, the pumpkin puree, butter and vanilla to a boil in a medium saucepan, whisking constantly.
3. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the bowl with the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined (it will be thick).
4. Continue mixing and add in your eggs, one at a time, until well combined. The dough should be thick and smooth.
5. Place the dough into a pastry bag with a large star tip.
6. Heat 2 inches of canola oil in a high-sided saute pan until it reaches 350 degrees F on a candy or fry thermometer.
7. Pipe the dough directly into the pan in 3-inch pieces, cutting off the pieces with a scissor.
8. Fry until golden and crispy, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir together the sugar and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon in a medium shallow bowl.
9. Transfer the churros to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet or plate to drain the oil and immediately toss in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Dip in the chocolate-coffee dipping sauce to serve.

Recipe by: Bobby Flay

Squeeze the sweetness out of festivities by preparing these desserts and let everyone you love know how thankful you are for having them in your life! In That Coffee Roasters, the only good meal we know is the one that includes family, friends, and coffee! Let us know which recipe you prepared and how it went in the comments! Stay updated with more of our content!

Prepare them for your family and friends!

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That Coffee Roasters

Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

2697 W. 76 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33016

Facebook: That Coffee Roasters

Instagram: thatcoffeeroasters