The steps to drink coffee correctly are revealed. From selecting beans to tasting, every detail determines the taste of coffee.

Choose coffee beans that suit your taste

The type and origin of coffee beans directly affect the flavor of coffee. Coffee beans grown in different regions have very different tastes due to different climates, soils, and growing environments. For example, coffee beans from Colombia usually have a balanced taste with nutty and fruity aromas, while Ethiopian coffee beans are loved for their complex floral and fruity aromas and bright acidity. If you like a fresh, sweet and sour taste, you can choose coffee beans from Ethiopia or Kenya; if you prefer a mild and smooth taste, coffee beans from Colombia or Brazil will be more suitable.

In addition to the origin, the degree of roasting is also a key factor affecting the taste of coffee. Lightly roasted coffee beans usually retain more of the original bean flavor, with stronger fruit acidity and floral aroma, suitable for coffee lovers who like sweet and sour taste. Medium roasted coffee has a balanced taste and suits the taste of most people. Dark roasted coffee beans have a caramelized sweetness and strong bitterness, which is more suitable for drinkers who like a strong, low-acid taste.

When choosing coffee beans, consider your personal taste preferences. If you like rich fruity aromas and acidity, lightly roasted and high-altitude coffee beans may be more suitable; if you prefer a strong taste, you can choose darkly roasted beans. Understanding the characteristics of different origins and roasting degrees can help you more accurately choose the coffee beans that best suit your taste.

Choose the right grind size to ensure perfect extraction

The degree of grinding directly affects the extraction effect of coffee, so it is crucial to choose the right grinding degree according to different brewing methods. Different grinding degrees can change the contact area between water and coffee powder, thus affecting the flavor of coffee. Generally speaking, the finer the grinding degree, the shorter the extraction time of coffee, and the easier it is to release a strong flavor. Conversely, the coarser the grinding degree, the longer the extraction time, and the extracted taste is milder.

For example, when using an espresso machine, you usually need to choose a very fine grind, because the espresso machine uses high pressure to extract coffee quickly, and the fine grind can better contact with hot water and release a strong flavor. When using a French press, because it requires a longer soaking time, a coarser grind is more suitable, which can avoid the bitterness caused by over-extraction.

Drip coffee machines and hand-brewed coffee require a medium degree of grinding to ensure a uniform flow rate and extraction of the coffee. Grinding the beans too finely may lead to over-extraction, resulting in a bitter taste; grinding the beans too coarsely may lead to incomplete extraction and a weak coffee taste. Therefore, mastering the appropriate degree of grinding beans can not only ensure a balanced taste for each cup of coffee, but also enhance the overall drinking experience.

Choosing the right grinding degree is an important step to improve the quality of coffee. Knowing your favorite brewing method and adjusting the coarseness of the grind according to its requirements are essential skills for coffee lovers.

Mastering water quality and temperature to ensure perfect extraction

Water quality and water temperature are important factors that affect the taste of coffee. First of all, water quality is directly related to the flavor of coffee. Ideally, water should be clean and odorless. Too much minerals in hard water may affect the flavor of coffee, bringing unnecessary bitterness or metallic taste. On the contrary, too soft water may lack enough minerals and cannot effectively extract the aroma and flavor of coffee. Therefore, soft water and water with moderate mineral content are usually the best choice for brewing coffee.

Water temperature is also crucial to the extraction of coffee. Water temperature that is too high or too low may affect the taste of the coffee. If the water temperature is too high (over 95°C), the coffee will be over-extracted, bringing bitterness and burnt taste; if the water temperature is too low (below 85°C), it will be under-extracted, resulting in a bland and lack of layering of coffee. The ideal water temperature range is usually between 90°C and 94°C. This temperature range can ensure that the various flavors of the coffee are extracted evenly.

To ensure the best extraction effect, use filtered water or mineral water to brew coffee to avoid impurities that may be present in tap water. Control the water temperature. It is best to use a thermostatic kettle or the water temperature setting of the coffee machine to ensure that the water temperature is within the ideal range each time you brew. By carefully controlling the water quality and water temperature, the flavor of the coffee can be preserved to the greatest extent and the drinking experience can be improved.

Precisely control the ratio of coffee beans to water

The ratio of coffee beans to water is one of the key factors that determine the strength and taste of coffee. Generally speaking, a ratio that is too high will result in coffee that is too strong and may have too much bitterness; while a ratio that is too low will result in coffee that is too weak and lacks rich layers. Therefore, it is very important to master the right ratio. The most commonly recommended ratio is 1:15 to 1:18, that is, 15 to 18 ml of water for every 1 gram of coffee beans, which is suitable for most brewing methods.

Different brewing methods have different requirements for ratios. For example, when using an espresso machine, the ratio of coffee beans to water is usually close, with a common ratio of 1:2 to 1:2.5; while when hand-brewed or drip coffee, the ratio may be slightly larger, usually 1:15 to 1:17. Accurately measuring the ratio of coffee beans to water can ensure that the flavor of each brew is consistent, thereby obtaining the best taste experience.

In order to achieve an accurate ratio, it is necessary to use an electronic scale for measurement. This not only allows you to accurately control the taste of each cup of coffee, but also avoids deviations caused by estimation. Even very subtle differences will be reflected in the taste of coffee, so careful measurement can greatly improve the quality and stability of coffee.

Coffee flavors from different brewing methods

Choosing a different brewing method can greatly affect the flavor of your coffee. Each brewing method has its own unique extraction process, resulting in different tastes and aromas. Understanding the characteristics of each brewing method can help you choose the most suitable method based on your personal taste preferences.

Drip coffee is a relatively gentle brewing method, usually using medium-grinded coffee beans, water slowly permeating the coffee powder through the filter paper, and the extraction time is longer. This method can retain the delicate taste of coffee and present a fresh and balanced flavor, which is suitable for people who like a refreshing, low-acid taste.

The French press uses coarser coffee powder and moderate water temperature. After the coffee powder is soaked in water for a few minutes, the coffee grounds are separated through a filter press. The coffee extracted in this way is strong and mellow, with a mellow taste and rich oiliness, which is suitable for people who like strong and full taste.

In contrast, espresso is extracted quickly through high pressure and uses very fine coffee powder. Espresso has a strong taste, bittersweet, rich aroma and rich layers, making it an ideal choice for people who like strong flavors and strong coffee.

Different brewing methods are suitable for different coffee lovers. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each method and choosing the appropriate brewing method according to your taste preferences will allow you to taste the coffee flavor that better suits your personal preferences.

Coffee Tasting: The Art of Experiencing Flavor in All Its Forms

Coffee tasting is more than just a sip; it is a multi-sensory experience. By observing, smelling and tasting, you can fully experience the unique flavor of coffee and better understand the complexity of each cup of coffee. The color, aroma, concentration, taste and other aspects of coffee can provide us with rich information about coffee.

First of all, observing the color of coffee is the first step in tasting. Different roasting degrees will affect the color of coffee. Lightly roasted coffee usually presents a light brown color, while darkly roasted coffee is darker, close to black. The color can reflect the degree of roasting of the coffee, which in turn helps us make a preliminary judgment on its possible flavor.

Next, smelling is one of the most critical steps in coffee tasting. Put your nose close to the coffee cup and gently inhale the aroma. The aroma can tell us the complexity and layers of the coffee, such as fruity, nutty, caramel, etc. Good aroma usually means that the coffee has good extraction and can bring a pleasant taste experience.

Finally, when tasting coffee, you need to carefully experience its taste and aftertaste. Use the tip of your tongue to feel the balance of elements such as the acidity, sweetness, bitterness and body of the coffee, and then judge the quality of the coffee. After taking a sip, pay attention to the aftertaste of the coffee. High-quality coffee usually has a longer aftertaste and does not have an unpleasant bitter feeling.

Through the careful experience of the above steps, you can perceive the flavor of coffee more comprehensively and enhance the fun of tasting. Every tasting is like a new exploration, enjoying the unique art brought by coffee through different sensory experiences.

Adjust the coffee taste according to your personal preference

Everyone has different preferences for coffee flavors, so when it comes to adjusting coffee, details often determine the final taste experience. From adding sugar and milk foam to adjusting the coffee concentration, these factors can be fine-tuned according to personal taste to find the coffee flavor that suits you best.

First of all, sugar is one of the most common ways to flavor coffee. Different types of sugar and the amount of sugar added will affect the taste of coffee. White sugar usually adds sweetness quickly, while honey or maple syrup have a unique aroma and taste. The right amount of sugar can balance the acidity or bitterness in coffee and make the taste of coffee more rounded. If you prefer a more refreshing taste, you can choose a small amount of sugar, or no sugar at all to keep the original flavor of coffee.

Milk foam is another common way to adjust the taste of coffee, especially for latte, cappuccino and other coffees. Milk foam not only brings a smooth taste, but also adds a layer of milky aroma to the coffee, alleviating the bitterness of the coffee. The type of milk (such as full-fat, low-fat, and plant-based milk) also affects the taste of coffee. Full-fat milk usually makes coffee richer and smoother, while plant-based milks such as oat milk or almond milk can bring different flavors, suitable for consumers with special dietary preferences.

In addition, the adjustment of coffee concentration is also a key factor in adjusting the taste according to personal preference. If you like a strong taste, you can increase the amount of coffee powder or reduce the amount of water; if you prefer a lighter taste, you can appropriately reduce the amount of coffee powder or increase the proportion of water. By adjusting these parameters, you can accurately control the taste of each cup of coffee to make it more in line with your taste needs.

Ultimately, by adjusting details such as sugar, milk foam, concentration, etc., you can create a cup of coffee that perfectly suits your personal taste, making every coffee experience full of pleasure.