'Berry Aroma' on the coffee bag,
is it real?
Learn how to read cupping notes
and start your journey to finding your own taste preferences.
What are Cupping Notes?
Even though we drink coffee every day, if you look closely at the coffee bag, you'll see unfamiliar words written on it.
'Blueberry', 'Milk Chocolate', 'Jasmine'... Some people tilt their heads wondering, "How can coffee taste like this?"
Today, let's talk about cupping notes, which are like coffee's report card and invitation.
Cupping Notes Are Not Artificial Flavors
First, I want to clear up a misunderstanding. The fruit or flower names written in cupping notes don't mean that those flavors were added to the coffee. Like wine, the flavors naturally expressed from the soil (terroir) where the beans grew, the variety, and the roasting process are compared to flavors we already know.
AI-generated image
Experts record flavors based on the 'Flavor Wheel', which contains numerous standardized words. If we understand this map just a little, we can find out why today's coffee is more aromatic than yesterday's.
Just Remember These Three
You don't need to memorize all the complex terms. Just knowing these three main categories will help you develop an eye for choosing coffee that matches your taste.
Fruity (Acidity)
You'll feel bright acidity like lemon or orange, or sweet acidity like strawberry. This mainly appears in lightly roasted beans.
Nutty & Chocolate
Flavors like roasted nuts, caramel, and chocolate. This is the identity of the 'nutty coffee' that's most popular among coffee lovers.
Body
It's not about flavor, but 'texture'. It's a record of whether it's light like water or heavy and enveloping like milk in your mouth.
Practical Tips for Successful Coffee Shopping
When choosing beans, check the order of cupping notes. Usually, the most dominant flavor is written first.
Example: [Ethiopian Yirgacheffe]
If you don't like acidity, choose beans with 'Chocolate', 'Roasted Almond' written first. Your chances of failure will decrease significantly.
How to Enjoy Until the Last Sip
Coffee changes dramatically in taste as the temperature changes. When hot, it might have strong nutty flavors, and as it cools, the hidden fruity acidity becomes clear.
This weekend, slowly drink a cup of coffee,
and try to find which words from the cupping notes touch your tongue
as it cools down. How about that?