My Chemex Pour Over Coffee Steps
Bean: Light Roast, Ethiopian Bean
30g - Grind 16 on Baratza Encore
Water Temp: 209F
Rinse Chemex filter and dump water before starting
60-70g water, bloom for 30s
Slowly pour in spiraling circles until reaching 500ml around 2:00
Draw down should be around 5:00 from initial pour
Note: if dark roast beans, do a double bloom (2x30s) to fully soak the beans and prevent sticking to the sides
My French Press Coffee Steps
30g - Grind 30 on Baratza Encore
Water Temp: 200F
100g water, bloom for 30s
Add water up to 500mL and let sit for 4 minutes
Slowly press down, should take around 45s
Coffee Brewing Knowledge
Coffee Topics
Bean Selection
Region and roast
Grind Size
Water Temperature
Water Ratio
Blooming
Agitation
Brew methods
Coffee Tasting Notes
How to use your palate and find coffee you enjoy
To start, comparing cups is the best way to determine what you like! Having 2 (3-4 better) cups to check back and forth. It’s by experiencing “oh this one is completely different” that you learn the attributes. There are 5 main tasting notes: aroma (the smell), acidity, sweetness, body, and finish.
When tasting it’s always easier to go “this reminds me of”. It won’t taste like a granny smith apple but the acidity could remind you of an apple. All tastes are just memories, so trying more (intentionally) will help you identify those notes. Paying attention to tastes outside of coffee can help expand the connections you’ll make when tasting.
Aroma - smell, how good does it smell
Acidity - freshness, crispness, bright? Contrast to fattiness. Sides of your tongue feel it. salivation
Sweetness - about the flavors and aromas the coffee gives off. Don't go looking for "table sugar" sweet
Body - texture? Mouthfeel? Body, Rich and full. weight or tactile
Light almost like a tea, heavy and full and rich and almost "chewy". Bigger richer fuller
lightweight - water?, medium - skim milk, heavy - whole milk? How does it sit on the tongue
Finish - what are you left with after swallowing,
Bitter vs Sour
Bitter/sour confusion: some people will describe sour as bitter. If you feel it on the sides of your tongue it's sour
Under-extracted (more sour tasting) while Over-extracted (more bitter tasting)
Fruity
Fresh fruit - High sweet/high acidity
Cooked fruit/jammy - High sweet/Lower acidity
Tropical/fermented - Low sweet/high acidity
Fruit words = acidity
Apple
Pear
Juicy
Berries
Citrus
How to taste (Coffee/Wine
Coffee tasting "hollow" - what is that and how to tell and what to do about it
A Beginners Guide to Coffee Tasting
HOW TO TASTE COFFEE: A Lexicon for Coffee Lovers
100+ Coffee Terms: The Ultimate Specialty Coffee Glossary – Coffee Bros. - tasting terms
| Region | Countries | Flavor Profile | Altitude & Climate | Impact on Final Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central America | Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras | Bright acidity, citrus, floral, chocolate notes | High altitudes, volcanic soil, moderate climate | Clean, balanced cup with vibrant acidity and complex flavors |
| South America | Brazil, Colombia, Peru | Nutty, chocolatey, mild fruit, caramel | Varied altitudes, tropical climate | Smooth, medium-bodied coffee with crowd-pleasing flavors |
| Africa | Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda | Fruity (berries, citrus), floral, wine-like acidity | High altitudes, rich soil, equatorial climate | Distinctive, aromatic, and complex with bright acidity and floral/fruity notes |
| Asia-Pacific | Indonesia, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea | Earthy, spicy, herbal, low acidity | Lower altitudes, humid tropical climate | Full-bodied, rich, and bold with deep, savory flavors |
| India | Karnataka, Kerala | Spicy, nutty, mild acidity | Monsoon-influenced climate | Unique flavor due to monsooning process; mellow and smooth |
| Caribbean | Jamaica (Blue Mountain) | Mild, smooth, sweet, balanced acidity | High altitude, cool climate | Premium coffee with refined flavor and silky mouthfeel |