Smell the Beans

All coffee taste the same for me, from the 3-in-1 to brewed to blended – all taste to me as bittersweet. They smell all the same to me too. Coffee-ish! hehehe. Well, I think I should know more than that since I practically live most of my life in coffee shops.
So, I attended “Bean to Cup: Aroma Lab” last July 7, 2008. Here’s what I learned:

Coffee tasting 101
1. Smell: 90% of how good a food or drink tastes comes from its aroma or how it smells. So the first step (to taste the coffee) is to “cup the cup” and smell it. Cupping will isolate the aroma of the coffee & you’ll get to appreciate it more.
2. Slurp: The louder the better. Slurping will make the coffee go around your mouth &your tongue to get to the next step.
3. Locate the experience: As you slurp, you will feel or should I say taste a more distinct & stronger tang on some parts of your tongue. Bitterness will go at the back of your tongue. Sour & acidic goes to the sides of the tongue. Salty goes in between the sides & tip of the tongue while sweets are just on the tip of it.
4. Share the experience. Lastly, after all those tasting, you might want to share the experience with someone. Share something what reminds you of that flavor or what you feel like having that sip.

More Starbucks Beans
Guatemala Antigua: With refined acidity, subtle cocoa texture and gentle spice flavors, this coffee is an elegant treasure. This is a favorite coffee to enjoy alongside a chocolate croissant or chocolate-dipped biscotti. We paired it with Chunky Chocolate Cookie.
Kenya: Medium-bodied Kenya has layers of flavor, from black currant or blackberry to sweet, tropical fruit. The coffee is prized for its bright and refreshing quality. Berries, oranges and currants evoke the fruity undertones - sip it over a berry tart to experience this coffee's awesome depth. We paired it with old Fashion fruitcake.
Sumatra: Earthy and unpredictable, Sumatra has a full, syrupy body with virtually no acidity - so the coffee's intensity lingers in your mouth. The concentrated spicy, herbal notes and earthy aroma are the telltale signatures of this well-loved coffee. Cinnamon, toffee and fresh breads - all are divine with a cup of this coffee. We paired it with Cinnamon Swirl. My favorite!

There are more coffee beans all over the world. And it will take a while til I taste & smell all of them. Maybe you wanna share some with me?