Siméon qui déguste des cafés de spécialités de 94 celcius

5 Tips to Enhance Your Specialty Coffee Tasting Experience

published on November 01, 2020 — by Marc-Alexandre Emond-Boisjoly — 7 mins of reading —

Tasting specialty or third-wave coffee is much more than just drinking a hot beverage: it's a sensory journey where every note and aroma tells a story. But to really enjoy the experience, a few tips can turn your cup of coffee into a gustatory adventure. Here are the tips from 94 Celcius to fully appreciate every sip of specialty coffee.

Café de spécialité avec magasine Standart

1. Take time to smell the aromas

Even before tasting, take a few seconds to smell the aromas of your coffee. Specialty coffee beans are rich in aromatic nuances - from floral notes to hints of chocolate or fruit. This simple gesture awakens your senses and prepares your palate for tasting.

Tip: Take a deep breath and try to distinguish the dominant aromas. First olfactory impressions are often a good indicator of a coffee's taste profile.

2. Learn to differentiate basic flavours

Coffee is a complex beverage, composed of several fundamental flavors such as acidity, bitterness, sweetness and sometimes even a hint of salinity. By identifying these basic flavors, you can better understand the profile of your coffee. A well-balanced specialty coffee will often have a mild acidity, a pleasant bitterness and a slight sweetness.

Tip: Concentrate on each sip and try to separate the different flavors. Is the acidity sharp or sweet? Is the bitterness dominant or subtle? This analysis enriches the tasting experience.

3. Taste Slowly to Appreciate the Nuances

Specialty coffee is best enjoyed in several small sips. By drinking slowly, you can better appreciate the nuances and changes in flavor as the coffee cools. Fruit, floral or chocolate notes can be fully revealed.

Tip: Try leaving the coffee in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing to explore its texture and complexity. You'll often notice flavors evolving as you taste.

Tasse d'espresso jaune sous une La Marzocco

4. Test different temperatures

Specialty coffee often reveals different flavors as it cools. Aromas may intensify or reveal new notes as the temperature drops slightly. Start your tasting when the coffee is hot, then continue tasting as it cools to discover its full complexity.

Tip: Taste your coffee as soon as it's ready, then let it rest for a few minutes before tasting again. This technique allows you to explore the evolution of flavors and better understand the profile of your coffee.

5. Use the Right Cup Type to Optimize Flavors

The cup you use can influence the way you perceive the aromas of your coffee. A thin ceramic cup is often ideal for specialty coffee, as it retains heat well without altering the aromas. More open cups allow the aromas to diffuse, while narrow cups concentrate the aromas and intensify the experience.

Tip: Try out different cup shapes to see how they affect the coffee's aroma and flavor. This simple change can transform your tasting experience and bring out unsuspected nuances.

Discover 94 Celcius Specialty Coffees and Elevate Your Tasting Experience

With these tips, every cup of coffee becomes an opportunity to explore unique aromas and flavours, for a moment of pleasure and discovery. At 94 CelciusWe select specialty coffees with complex and fascinating profiles, so that every sip transports you to new sensations.

Explore our selection and order today for an unforgettable tasting experience. : 94 Celcius.

Tags: Barista Café de spécialité Troisième Vague

Older Post Back to The Coffee Notebook Newer Post