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Becoming a true coffee aficionado is definitely a thing, and in this guide we’re exploring some tips and tricks for those who want to become a coffee expert.
Make no mistake, understanding the world of coffee can take quite a lot of doing. It isn’t as simple as just trying a few coffees and suddenly knowing everything. In fact, you’re probably going to have to spend a lot of time and even some money on working out all of the methods and terminology to be able to communicate with the coffee elite.
So, what are our top tips for becoming a coffee aficionado?
Experiment With Coffee Beans and Preparation
Your coffee beans are the start of it all, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
Try beans that are roasted in different ways, and make sure you take into account all of the differences that these beans have. For instance, beans that have been heavily, darkly roasted may have more of an oily consistency.
You can also try different grind sizes and of course many different methods of preparation to see which is likely to be the one you enjoy most, and also understand all of the differences these can have on the flavour of the coffee.
Make sure you’ve got the option to try coffee beans as an espresso (or espresso-based drink) as well as other brewing methods like filter coffee.
Take a Course
Did you know that there are courses that can teach you to be a coffee aficionado?
Coffee cupping is the art of identifying coffee and evaluating its flavour and tasting notes, and you can take a course in this if you wish to expand your knowledge.
Cupping is a skill that many roasters and even some top baristas possess, and it will definitely help you to understand more about the world of coffee.
Understand Varieties and Locations
Where is your coffee from? Did you buy arabica coffee beans or robusta coffee beans? All of this will play a part in the overall flavour.
On top of that, a good aficionado will start to learn the differences between the taste of a South American coffee, an African coffee, and an Asian coffee.
There are so many different varieties. In the world of single origin coffee, beans come from one specific farm, so you can learn your favourite coffee properties, and what sets different beans apart.
You should also take the time to learn about lots of different aspects of the process. For example, the coffee roasting can play such a massive part in the overall flavour that we recommend learning exactly how roasting works and take some time to explore the very best roasters out there.
Visit Coffee Shops
One of the best, and most enjoyable methods to learn more about coffee is to visit coffee shops. This gives you the chance to try coffee that has been prepared by baristas, and many coffee shops will give you a choice between different types of beans. Of course, you can also try both long and short drinks in these coffee shops, too.
There is a cool community around some of the best coffee shops, and we recommend spending some time in the independent venues if you are looking to learn more about coffee.
Chat to Other Coffee Lovers
This ties in with the previous point. If you are visiting a lot of coffee shops then you’re more likely to have the chance to discuss coffee with those who are passionate about it. You can learn a lot this way.
Some coffee shops even roast their own coffee, and definitely have opinions regarding equipment and coffee beans. It’s something that a lot of people do for a passion project as well as their livelihood, so think about the places in your locality where coffee can be discussed and even debated.
Do Your Reading
Yes, aficionados are going to have to back up their opinions with an awful lot of reading.
One of the best ways to learn a lot about coffee is to read up on the subject, and luckily there are so many different opportunities to do this.
There are coffee blogs, and even some very impressive books written by important industry figures. If you are serious about learning more about coffee then make sure you are happy to sit down with a good book. Fortunately, you can sup a delicious coffee while you read, of course.
This guide to the best coffee books is a fantastic place to start.
Summary
So you want to continue to learn about coffee. Keep in mind the fact that this is a constantly-evolving industry and that things are always changing and shifting. You’ll need to keep your finger on the pulse and keep your level of knowledge up to be a true aficionado.
Luckily, the learning process can involve lots of delicious coffee!
