How to Taste Coffee Like a Pro

Go beyond 'strong' or 'weak'. Learn to identify the tasting notes and flavor profiles that make each specialty coffee unique.

Discover Your Palate
Stylized graphic representing different flavor notes such as fruits, flowers, and chocolates, creating an abstract, vibrant background.

What Are 'Tasting Notes'?

Absolutely not! Tasting notes are the roaster's interpretation of the natural flavors and aromas present in the coffee bean itself. These intrinsic flavors come from the unique soil, the specific coffee varietal cultivated, and the meticulous processing methods used at the farm. At Betty Louise Gossler, we cherish the coffee's natural essence and never add artificial flavors.

We use a specialized practice called 'cupping.' This involves mindfully tasting the coffee in a systematic way, comparing its complex aromas and flavors to a wide range of familiar elements like fruits, nuts, spices, and flowers. It’s an expert method for truly discerning and describing a coffee's unique and exquisite character, ensuring transparency in what you taste.

Explore the Flavor Wheel

An interactive Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) flavor wheel, illustrating a spectrum of coffee tastes with concentric circles for categories like 'Fruity', 'Floral', and 'Nutty'.
Click on categories to unveil subtle notes.

Your Guide to Coffee's Nuances

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Flavor Wheel is an indispensable tool for coffee enthusiasts and professionals alike. Each segment represents a distinct flavor category, helping you identify and describe the complex notes in your cup. Hover over a primary category like 'Fruity' to see common sub-categories such as 'Citrus Fruit' or 'Berry'.

For example, if you detect 'Blueberry', you might find it often in natural-processed Ethiopian coffees. Ready to explore? Try our Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, renowned for its vibrant berry notes.

View Our Coffees

How to Cup Coffee at Home

Elevate your home brewing ritual with our simplified cupping guide. Discover the subtle nuances in every batch.

Step 1: The Fragrance (Dry)

Place 10-12 grams of freshly ground coffee in a cup. Inhale deeply, noticing the initial dry aroma. What comes to mind?

Step 2: The Aroma (Wet)

Pour 150ml of hot water (just off the boil) over the grounds. Let it sit for 4 minutes without stirring, absorbing the rising aroma.

Step 3: Break the Crust

After 4 minutes, gently push aside the floating grounds with a spoon. Take a deep breath to capture the concentrated aromas released.

Step 4: The Slurp

Once the coffee has cooled slightly (around 10-15 minutes), take a loud, quick slurp. This sprays the coffee across your palate, engaging all your taste receptors.

Step 5: Reflect & Compare

What flavors and sensations do you notice? Is it sweet, acidic, floral, fruity, or nutty? Compare your observations with the flavor wheel to pinpoint specific notes.

Find Your Perfect Profile

Ready to experience coffee tailored to your taste? Explore our curated selection based on popular flavor profiles.

A close-up of vibrant red berries and citrus fruits, suggesting bright and fruity coffee notes.
Vibrant and exhilarating.

If you like BRIGHT & FRUITY

Expect lively acidity and exhilarating notes of berries, citrus, or stone fruits. Often found in African or certain Central American origins that offer a wonderfully complex cup.

  • Our Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
  • Our Kenyan Nguvu
Explore Fruity
A decadent pour of melted dark chocolate and scattered coffee beans, evoking rich and chocolatey coffee notes.
Comforting and profound.

If you like RICH & CHOCOLATY

Savor deep, comforting notes of dark chocolate, cocoa, and roasted nuts. These coffees typically offer a full body and a smooth, lingering finish.

  • Our Brazilian Cerrado
  • Our Colombian Supremo
Explore Chocolaty
Delicate jasmine flowers and exotic orchids alongside coffee beans, signifying floral and complex flavor profiles.
Elegant and intricate.

If you like FLORAL & COMPLEX

Indulge in delicate aromas of jasmine, bergamot, or black tea, often paired with bright fruit and sweet nuances. A truly sophisticated and memorable experience.

  • Our Panama Geisha
  • Our Sidamo Washed
Explore Floral