Coffee Tasting 101: Vocabulary (1)

By guechi

My coworker (same one who let me use his French Press) gave me a can of Maxwell House Master Blend. I made a cup with his French Press this morning. My taste buds are now much more aware, but I completely lack the vocabulary of coffee tasters. So let’s begin Coffee Tasting 101.

Coffee cupping is to coffee what wine tasting is to wine. I’m going to go as slow as I need to go. I am a bona fide novice myself – kindergartner with an epiphany remember? According to one article by Steve Leighton, there are five things to pay attention to when cupping coffee: 1) fragrance – both dry grounds and wet grounds, 2) acidity – the liveliness of the coffee, 3) body – the fullness and richness of the feel of the coffee in your mouth, 4) flavor, and 5) finish – the aftertaste.

Got it?

fragrance

acidity

body

flavor

finish

So what’s the verdict on the Maxwell House Master Blend? I thought 8 O’ Clock is better. Sorry, I can’t quite use coffee tasting vocabulary to describe the Master Blend. Maybe in a few weeks or months?

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2 Responses to “Coffee Tasting 101: Vocabulary (1)”

  1. Stephen Leighton Says:

    Pleased you liked the article :)

  2. Slumming It with Maxwell House « Guy’s Cup of Coffee Says:

    [...] past week (even as I write this) I’ve been slummin it with Maxwell House. Made up a cup of Maxwell House Master Blend in my French Press – Mmm, look at that rich foam floating on top. Made it the same way as my 8 [...]

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