Chapter 5: Coffee Knowledge

Knowledge is Power.
Especially Coffee Knowledge.

There's so much to learn about coffee. Here’s some basic information to get you started.

People have lots of questions about coffee. Ask us yours. Watch Video

How do coffee beans grow?

Coffee beans are actually the seeds of cherries from a coffee plant. The cherries grow along the stem and take about nine months to mature into bright red coffee cherries. Once ripe and ready, they are hand-picked by coffee farmers, who then extract the beans by either soaking them in water for a few days, or sun drying for a few weeks.

How does coffee get its flavor?

In every cup of coffee, there are three key characteristics that create its overall flavor: aroma, acidity and body.

Aroma

Coffee can have up to 1000 aromatic compounds that contribute to its profile. A coffee aroma can be fruity, caramel, roasted, cereal, rubber, fermented, earthy, spicy, floral, nutty, and even cooked.

Acidity

When it comes to coffee, acidity isn’t what you think it is. It’s a sharp and vibrant taste, a tingling on the tongue. Good acidity tastes bright and crisp, whereas a coffee without enough acidity tastes flat and dull.

Body

The term “body” describes the physical properties and texture of coffee. It’s the weight, fullness, or mouthfeel of the coffee as it settles on your tongue. Common characteristics include oily, grainy, watery, and more.

What is the most popular kind of coffee bean?

Arabica is the first coffee to ever be cultivated. It accounts for more than 60% of the world’s coffee production and is also the most popular. It has a soft, sweet taste with ideal acidity.

What is coffee roasting and why is it important?

Coffee roasting machines heat the raw green beans between 370 and 540 degrees for as little as a few minutes, and up to half an hour. The time and temperature determine the roast level from light to dark.

Roasting brings out different aromas such as caramel, cereal, rubber, earthy, floral, and nutty. Knowing these attributes helps to establish a complementary blend at roast. And blending may be done before or after roasting, depending on the nature of the beans.

What are the roasting stages?

Roasting is a highly sensory experience. While color is a key indicator of roast stage, complementing sight with auditory cues (of the cracks) and smell (of the aromas) truly make roasting an art.

Cinnamon

• Named for its color, not its flavor
• Often used to protect delicate origin flavors
• Smells like rising bread or popcorn

Light

• Also known as American Roast
• Light to medium brown color
• Rich and sweet flavor

Medium

• Also called City Roast
• Has had its “first crack”
• Really starts to “smell like coffee”
• Medium brown color
• Slightly oily texture
• Slightly sweet and acidic

Medium-Dark

• Also called the Full City Roast
• Has barely had its “second crack”
• Dark medium brown
• Oily texture
• Heartier, more chocolaty

Dark/Very Dark

• Also called French Roast
• Used for espresso
• Dark brown color
• Shiny and oily texture
• Original bean flavor surpassed by roasting flavor; like slightly sweet smoke

French/Italian

• Essentially black in color
• A rapid “second crack” has occurred
• Brittle texture
• Smells like charcoal or ash
• Smoky, burnt flavor

What is an Espresso?

An Espresso is a full-flavored, concentrated form of coffee that is typically served in “shots.” It’s made by forcing hot water under high pressure—at least 9 BARs— through very finely ground coffee beans. The result is a liquid stronger than coffee topped with a “crema,” a brown foam that forms when air bubbles combine with the soluble oils of fine-ground coffee and sits on top of a properly pulled shot of espresso. The crema adds to the rich flavor and lingering aftertaste of espresso.*

What is a Macchiato?

A macchiato is a thick and creamy coffee, made with one shot of espresso and a small amount of frothy milk foam on top.

How is an Americano made?

Americano has lighter bodied coffee than its European counterpart. It’s made by adding hot water to the expresso shot creating a lighter body and less bitter coffee.

Is a Cappuccino
a dessert coffee?

Cappuccino is made with a third of expresso, a third of hot milk and a third of frothy milk foam. Sometimes a cappuccino is topped with chocolate shavings, cinnamon or sugar, adding to its dessert-like characteristics.

Is a Latte the same thing
as a Cappuccino?

A latte, or café latte, is similar to a cappuccino, but with more milk and only about a finger width of foam on top.

*The Spruce Eats

What Is Coffee Cupping?

Coffee cupping is the practice of tasting coffee. At NESCAFÉ, our professional coffee cuppers make sure we’re delivering consistent quality at the highest standard. Try putting yourself to the test!

Here are a few tips to help you have a coffee cupping session:

Nose the aromas while the coffee is still steaming
Take a spoonful of coffee with a silver spoon
Pucker your lips and slurp the coffee loudly
Feel the texture of the coffee on your tongue
Sense the weight of the coffee in your mouth
Notice if it lingers... and enjoy!