Coffee Descriptions

A World of Possibilities

Coffees are described using a wide array of terms, but the most important are flavor, acidity and body.

• Flavor refers to the overall experience of drinking a particular coffee, which includes both taste and aroma. Specific flavor attributes can be found in certain coffees, such as a chocolate-like taste or a nut-like aroma.
• Acidity is another important, though often misunderstood, term. In regards to coffee’s taste, acidity is a very desirable, refreshing, mouth-cleansing quality, a sparkling, lively taste that makes it the ideal morning wake-up. This “taste” acidity doesn’t mean coffee is highly acidic. In fact, when measured on an objective pH scale, coffee is one of the least acidic beverages found in the typical household.
• Body refers to the perceived oiliness and thickness of brewed coffee on the tongue, and can range from light to very heavy depending on coffee origin and choice of brewing method.