The following terms help people describe what they taste, and are commonly used by coffee buyers and tasters. Don't let them inhibit you--your taste buds may tell you something different. But if you're not sure what you taste, start by reading some of our terms.

Acidity

Acidity is the liveliness in coffee. In everyday conversation, "acidity" may sound unappealing, but in coffee terms it's actually a highly desirable quality. Not to be confused with the ph level, "palate acidity" is the brightness of flavor -- without it, coffee tastes flat and dull. All good coffees have some acidity, but to varying degree. Acidity in our coffees ranges from low (smooth) to high (lively).

Aged

A pleasant, distinctive "old" or "cellared" aroma, found in aged coffees.

Berry/Citrus

A sweet berry or citrus flavor.

Body

Body can be described as "mouthfeel" -quite literally, how a coffee feels in your mouth. It's an impression of a coffee's weight on your tongue. The best way to determine the degree of body in a coffee is to take a small sip and let it rest a moment on you tongue. Is it medium? Full? Very full? "Body" in our coffees varies from medium to very full.

Complex

A taste or aroma with many aspects (as opposed to simple).

Dry

A coffee with a parching or drying finish.

Earthy

An aromatic fresh soil or wet earth characteristic.

Flavor

Flavors and aromas are as varied in coffee as they are in wine. Naturally, coffee tastes and smells like coffee. But other flavors and scents -such as chocolate, fruit, or flowers -are what make coffee drinking such an enjoyable experience. The next time you have a cup of coffee, take a deep whiff before your first sip. Use your nose to give your mouth a preview, to enhance the flavors on your palate.

Full

A prefix to good characteristics such as acidity, body, or range of flavors, to indicate a strong character.

Herbal

An aroma reminiscent of grass, dried herbs or grains, or fresh foliage.

Mild

A rounded and balanced coffee, sometimes with acidity and/or sweetness, and without pungent or dry flavors.

Rich

An indicator of a coffee with depth and complexity of flavor, full body, and an overall satisfying taste.

Roasty

A bittersweet smoky or carbony flavor created by dark-roasting coffee.

Smooth

A coffee low in palate acidity.

Strength

The ratio of ground coffee to water.

Be sure to check our schedule of events to see when Strange Brews will be having another coffee tasting event.

 
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