The Coffee Lover’s Dictionary: How to Taste Coffee Like a Pro

Have you ever read a coffee label and felt a bit lost? Descriptions like "high acidity with a silky body and notes of stone fruit" sound poetic, but what do they actually mean for your morning cup?

If you want to move beyond "it tastes like coffee," you need to master the four pillars of coffee tasting. Here is your essential guide to the vocabulary of the specialty coffee world.

1. Body (The Mouthfeel)

Think of Body as the "weight" or texture of the coffee on your tongue. It’s not about the flavor, but the physical sensation.

• Light Body: Feels thin and clean, similar to water or tea. (Common in light roasts or pour-overs).
• Medium Body: Has a bit more presence, like whole milk.
• Full/Heavy Body: Feels thick, creamy, or even syrupy. (Common in French Press or Indonesian coffees).

2. Acidity (The "Brightness")

In the coffee world, Acidity is a good thing! It doesn’t mean the coffee is "sour" or "acidic" like stomach acid; it refers to the lively, tingly sensation on the edges of your tongue.

• High Acidity: Described as "bright" or "vibrant." It tastes crisp, like a green apple or a squeeze of lemon.
• Low Acidity: Described as "smooth" or "mellow." It’s a flatter, more comforting taste, often found in dark roasts or Brazilian beans.

3. Tasting Notes (The Personality)

When a bag says "Notes of Chocolate and Blueberry," it doesn't mean those ingredients were added. It means the chemical compounds in the bean remind your brain of those flavors.

• Fruity/Floral: Common in African coffees (Ethiopia, Kenya).
• Nutty/Chocolatey: Common in Central and South American coffees (Mexico, Colombia).
• Earthy/Spicy: Often found in dark roasts or Sumatran coffees.

4. Aftertaste (The Finish or "Retrogusto")

The Aftertaste is the flavor that lingers in your mouth after you’ve swallowed.

• Clean Finish: The flavor disappears quickly, leaving your palate refreshed.
• Long/Lingering Finish: The taste stays with you for several minutes. A high-quality coffee should have a pleasant aftertaste—if it stays bitter or "ashy," it might be over-roasted or poorly brewed.

How to Practice at Home

Next time you try one of our Drinks of the Month, take a small sip and let it sit on your tongue for three seconds. Ask yourself:

1. Is it heavy like cream or light like tea? (Body)
2. Does it make my mouth water like a piece of fruit? (Acidity)
3. What does it remind me of? (Tasting Notes)
4. How long does the flavor stay with me? (Aftertaste)