Coffee Lingo

If you’re like me coffee lingo was at first difficult to understand. Let me help you understand some of the words that you may hear from regular coffee drinkers. To be honest some of the words are simply used so you can sound important and knowledgable. As you immerse yourself into coffee culture I do think it is necessary to understand the language so that you may know what you want.

Coffee Connoisseurs have terms for describing the characteristics of a brew. Generally, subtle flavors and aromas are described as "notes." Top or base notes are good, off-notes are bad. Knowing the lingo can help you analyze and appreciate your coffee (and impress your coffee-drinking friends).

(Here below are some coffee lingo)

Astringent: Dry, puckering feel of unripe fruit or over-brewed tea.

Balanced: Ideal blend of sour and bitter; not dull or flat.

Body: Feeling of fullness and weight in the mouth.

Cereal or Grainy: Like a cooked wheat cereal.

Cooked: Like coffee that has been heated too long.

Earthy: Hints of aromas and flavors similar to potato skins or root vegetables. (But dirty is a harsh off-note.)

Green: Has two meanings. A green/sharp or bright coffee is clean and light, with pleasing acidity. A green/under-ripe coffee suggests unripe beans.

Nutty: Like fresh toasted nuts.

Papery: Like damp cardboard.

Woody: Like damp popsicle sticks.