How Does Coffee Get Its Tasting Notes

 

How Does Coffee Get Its Tasting Notes

Coffee beans are known for their strong flavour that can instantly freshen our minds. From floral, fruity, nutty, and chocolatey aromatics to citrus flavour, whole beans are used to enhance the taste and add a delectable touch to the beverage. There are many reasons why coffee beans have various tasting notes, creating an enriching flavour and a mesmerising aroma.

Understanding Taste and Coffee Flavour Notes

Here are some of the factors that contribute to the diverse taste and flavour of coffee beans.

1. Land

The land where the coffee fruit is grown plays a crucial role in determining its tasting notes. Farming and environmental factors such as water composition, the pH of the soil, time of precipitation, latitude, elevation, and temperature influence the flavour of the coffee plants. In addition, the type of nutrition, herbicides, and pesticides can affect the cultivation of coffee plants in many ways.

2. Coffee Variety

There are various types of coffee plants grown across the world. Every plant holds a specific aroma, body, and acidity level. Hence, it yields a different flavour with unique characteristics such as bourbon, typica, geisha, and caturra.

3. Harvesting and Processing

The perfect time to harvest coffee is when it starts to ripe. As a result, you will notice a smooth, sweet, and clean taste that indicates its proper growth and processing. The following three techniques are used to process the coffee.

Natural Method

When the coffee dries after harvesting, the natural method is used to ensure that the skin surrounds the coffee bean remains intact. As a result, it yields a berry-like flavour and aroma.

Wet Method

When the coffee bean is washed by removing its skin and pulp through fermentation, the wet method is used. It may require water or mechanical removal to carry out this technique.

Semi-Washed Method

After removing the coffee flesh, a thin layer of sugar around the coffee bean will stay intact while it dries. Hence, the semi-washed method is used to create a sweet taste and a heavier body.

4. Drying

The process of drying influences the overall taste of the coffee beans in several ways. For example, if this step is carried out very fast, it may create a woody and papery flavour. Hence, it is best to dry the coffee beans very slowly and evenly for a perfect taste and flavour. Similarly, storing the beans for a long time can reduce their acidity, leading to woodier flavours.

5. Roasting and Brewing

Finally, the level of roast and brewing method determines the taste of the coffee. For example, dark roasted coffee beans are likely to produce a carbonised flavour. On the other hand, brewing medium roasted coffee beans may enhance certain flavours, creating a perfectly balanced bittersweet taste. Similarly, lightly roasted coffee beans will have a slight flavour which can be increased by brewing them for a longer time.

While buying coffee beans, you need to consider their type to know if it matches your tastebuds or not. At Arabica Beans, you will find various flavours and roast levels to freshen up your mind. For example, Colombian roasted coffee beans have a bold flavour of grapes and berries. Similarly, Kenyan roasted coffee beans are likely to have a distinct taste of grapefruit, blackcurrant, and hibiscus. On the other hand, Ethiopian roasted coffee beans contain a hint of sweet jasmine, rose, and bergamot that yields a floral and citrus flavour. So, hurry up and choose your favourite coffee beans to prepare the perfect cup of coffee.