The Pro Coffee Tasting Method in 4 Steps

Step 1: Smell the Grounds (The Fragrance)

  • What to do: Before you brew, smell the freshly ground coffee. This is the "fragrance."
  • What to think about: What does it remind you of? Is it nutty, chocolaty, fruity, or floral? This first smell tells you a lot about the coffee's character.

Step 2: Smell the Brew (The Aroma)

  • What to do: After adding hot water, lean in and take a deep breath of the steam. This is the "aroma," which can be different from the fragrance.
  • What to think about: Does the smell change? It often becomes richer and more complex. This is where you might smell berries, caramel, or even a hint of berries.

Step 3: The Big Slurp (The Taste)

  • This is the most important step. Take a spoonful of coffee (or a sip) and slurp it loudly and forcefully. This sprays the coffee across your entire palate and aerates it, releasing all the flavours onto your taste buds.
  • What to think about: Focus on the five core flavours:
    1. Sweetness: Is it like honey, brown sugar, or caramel?
    2. Acidity: This is a bright, tangy sensation (like in a lemonade or wine), not bitterness. Is it crisp like a green apple or juicy like a berry?
    3. Body: This is the weight and feel of the coffee in your mouth. Is it light and tea-like, heavy and creamy, or somewhere in between?
    4. Flavour: This is the specific taste. What do you taste? Chocolate, nuts, citrus, stone fruit, spices? This is where HubbSoul's unique story comes alive!
    5. Finish: What taste lingers in your mouth after you swallow? Is it clean and quick, or does a pleasant flavour last for a while?

Step 4: Let it Cool

  • What to do: Let your coffee cool down for a few minutes and taste it again.
  • Why: As coffee cools, new, often more delicate flavours emerge that you couldn't taste when it was hot. You might discover floral or fruity notes that were hidden before.

The Pro Tasting Wheel (Simple Version)

Instead of just saying "it's strong," use more descriptive words. Here are common flavour families:

  • Chocolatey / Nutty: Dark Chocolate, Cocoa, Almond, Hazelnut
  • Fruity / Berry: Citrus Lemon, Orange, Berry, Dried Fruit
  • Floral / Herbal: Jasmine, Rose, Lemongrass
  • Spicy / Woody: Cinnamon, Cardamom, Cedar

How to Apply This to HubbSoul

When you taste a cup of HubbSoul, don't just drink it connect with it. Ask yourself:

  1. "What is the story of this cup?" (e.g., "This has a bright, citrusy acidity that reminds me of its vibrant origins.")
  2. "How does this flavour make me feel?" (e.g., "The chocolatey finish is so comforting and warm.")
  3. "Who would I love to share this tasting experience with?"

By tasting coffee this way, you're not just consuming a beverage you're honouring its journey, appreciating the craft, and creating a moment of mindful connection, which is the very soul of your brand.

In short: Smell, Slurp, Savour, and Share.