Are you looking for a way to enjoy your cup of coffee beyond simply adding a different flavored creamer? Throughout the past several years, the coffee industry has experienced an uptick in the number of specialty blends and beans. Referred to as third wave coffee, the beans are now being produced to highlight the unique flavors and textures only found in specific beans. If you wish to enrich your appreciation for this commonly consumed beverage, you must focus on enhancing how you taste the coffee. While this can be a lifelong process, there are several effective coffee tasting techniques one can adopt to enhance how your tongue experiences the complexities found in the best coffee beans online.
Coffee Tasting Technique 1: Perfect Amount of Beans
In order to thoroughly enjoy a cup of coffee, and to ensure you extract the maximum amount of flavor, it’s imperative that you brew the perfect amount of beans. As a general rule, for every 6.5 ounces of boiled water, add 0.46 ounces of freshly ground coffee. This measurement is accepted by professional-level coffee tasting companies – yes, there are positions where their entire job is to taste and evaluate the flavor of coffee. Talk about a stimulating career choice.
Coffee Tasting Technique 2:Water and Grinding
In order to ensure there’s no cross-contamination due to the water, it’s imperative you use filtered water. Never use tap water when brewing coffee to evaluate its taste. Compounds found in tap water are known to dramatically alter the natural flavor profile of coffee grounds. Now, comes grinding your coffee. Never purchase pre-ground coffee, as it immediately begins to lose its natural flavor as soon as it’s ground. Therefore, only grind what you will be instantly brewing. Make sure to wash the grinder blades between coffee types to prevent flavor exchanges. After grinding, take a moment to smell the coffee. It’s important to learn how specific coffee beans smell before they’re introduced to water. This will help in future coffee selection endeavors.
Coffee Tasting Technique 3: Boil the Water
Now, it’s time to boil the water. Boil enough water only for the amount of coffee you wish to brew. Make sure the water comes to a rolling boil before you remove from heat. Here’s the trick of the trade: allow the water to rest for 25 to 30-seconds before you pour over the ground coffee beans. This allows the water to cool just enough for maximum flavor extraction.
Coffee Tasting Technique 4: Preparing the Coffee
Instead of using a standard coffee maker, to truly appreciate the flavor of the coffee, slowly pour the hot water over the coffee grounds, which are already in the cup. Do not pour too fast. Be gentle to prevent damaging the coffee. Once the coffee cup is filled with water, allow the coffee to brew for four minutes.
Coffee Tasting Technique 5: Enjoy!
Now that the coffee has had four minutes to brew, the surface of the water will feature a nice crust of grounds. Take a small spoon and push through this crust. Take a moment to inhale the aroma – it will be strong and beautiful. Carefully remove the grounds from the water surface, and slowly sip the coffee. Like wine, allow the coffee to rest in your mouth for several seconds before swallowing. Push your tongue around the coffee to appreciate the fine flavor details.