HOW TO LOOK SMART WHEN YOU DRINK COFFEE
Coffee Descriptions
Brewing Tips
Coffee Trivia

Coffee Descriptions

	Acidity -	A desirable characteristic in coffee; denotes sharpness and snap in certain coffees.
	Bitterness -	Sharp biting taste, not necessarily unpleasant, which can be affected by the degree of roast and brewing procedure.
	Body -	The mouthfeel of the beverage; can be strong but pleasant, ranging from full to light and thin.
	Bouquet -	The fragrance, aroma, nose, and aftertaste of brewed coffee.
	Fruity -	Sweetly aromatic flavor, like citrus or berries.
	Mild -	Smooth taste; mellow.
	Nutty -	Having a nut-like flavor.
	Sourness -	An excessively sharp, biting, and unpleasant flavor such as vinegar; Sometimes associated with overfermented coffee.
	Spicy -	A flavor sensation similar to the taste of wood-spice (cinnamon bark) or clove.
	Stale -	Old tasting; usually caused by overexposure to oxygen and moisture.
	Sweetness -	A taste most often characterized by solutions of sucrose, which are commonly associated with fruit and chocolate.
	Winey -	Taste reminiscent of wine.

Source: Enjoying the World of Coffee by Coffee Development Group, 1987.

top of page

Brewing Tips
(Although brewing is a simple process, there are some guidelines to follow)

• Do not overgrind (powdery) as it may cause bitterness and plug your brewing equipment.
• Do not undergrind (stony) as it may leave your coffee tasting watery.
• Grinding to a course peppery feel is generally best.
• Start with cold water, as sometimes hot tap water can be stale.
• Do not touch the ground beans to boiling water, such as using a percolator, as this may cause bitterness.

top of page

Coffee Trivia

• Originated in Ethiopia, but first traded on the Arabian peninsula
• Originally called, "Bunn" by Ethiopians, but was referred to as, "Kaffa" by the Arabians after the language of the area.
• The Pope was asked to ban coffee from the country of Italy for its mind altering affects. However, once he tasted it he made it the country's drink.
• The forefathers of the United States of America frequently met in and wrote The Declaration of Independence in a coffee house.
• Coffee is said to increase short-term memory retention.
• It stimulates circulation, so for many athletes it is said to increase endurance by carrying more oxygen through their body.
• Frederick the Great, King of Prussia (1740-86) banned coffee from commoners, and prepared his own coffee with champagne rather than water.
• Throwing tea into the Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party and banning tea was a monumental event that made the United States a coffee-drinking country.

Source: The Complete Book of Coffee, by Harry Rolnick, 1982

top of page