08th February 2023
Nothing beats a cup of fresh coffee. Its comforting warmth. Its smooth taste. A good cup of coffee can really make your day. As for a bad cup of coffee? Well, it certainly leaves a bad taste in your mouth. But what determines a bad cup of coffee and how can you tell if coffee is good? That’s what we’ll be discussing in this blog.
Now a small disclaimer: everyone has their own flavour and texture preference when it comes to coffee. So, what you deem as bad coffee might be somebody else’s cup of joy. Nevertheless, there are a few things to look out for to determine if a cup of coffee is truly good.
The coffee taste is hugely dependent on the coffee beans. What’s in season? What type of coffee beans are being used? Are the beans freshly roasted? All of these factors have an impact on the flavour, aroma and texture of your coffee.
Speciality coffee is the highest grade of coffee available, and they only make up 10% of coffee beans in the world. These beans usually score between 80 and 100, which means they create the highest-quality coffee. Arabica beans make up the majority of speciality coffee. These magic wonders are grown at high altitudes and provide a sweet and fruity taste. On the other hand, robusta beans have a harsher and more bitter taste. That’s not to say robusta beans can’t make for a good cup of coffee- they certainly can! However, flavours differ depending on the coffee beans.
Many often forget that coffee is a fruit which means it can expire. Much like your apples and bananas, you want to make sure you purchase fresh coffee beans. These beans have undergone a complicated roasting process to make sure their rich flavour and tastes are apparent in your cup. If you purchase freshly roasted beans, you must use them as soon as possible in order to make the most out of their taste. After all, coffee can expire and expired coffee does not make a great cup of coffee.
It’s important to remember that all coffee beans will produce different flavours and undergo a unique journey. Coffee beans differ in their country of origin, the climate they’re grown in, and the way they’re harvested. All these elements factor in to the flavour of the coffee.
If you’re a fan of cappuccinos or flat whites, it’s important you pay attention to the texture of the milk and foam. The perfect texture of milk in coffee is usually silky and creamy. Anything too thick could indicate your milk was not foamed properly. This can take away from the smooth texture of your coffee.
Aside from the texture of milk, you should look out for the temperature. If your latte is too hot to drink, it could be because of the milk. This is problematic because hot milk burns the coffee which inevitably takes away the flavour. Not to mention burning your tongue! So the key to a good cup of coffee is finding the perfect temperature.
Good coffee is subjective. Everyone’s taste buds are different and everyone has different preferences. So, your perfect coffee flavor is entirely up to you. Dark roast or light roasted beans, soy milk or almond milk, you can find what tastes good for you by exploring the wonderful world of coffee!
