Brewing | Bartending
- Aeropress – Mixing tools
- Blooming – Growth
- Brew ratio
- Channeling – Channels to save leads
- Extraction – Coffee Extract
- Fines – Fine grain
- Immersion – Soaking method
- Over Extracted – Over Extracted
- Percolation Coffee – Drip coffee
- Solubility
- Tarry – Burnt taste
- Under Extracted – Weak (poor) extract
- Water Hardness – Water Hardness
Espresso
- Americano
- Barista
- Boiler
- Cappuccino
- Channeling – Channels to save leads
- Crema
- Dose – Measuring coffee
- Double Shot Espresso
- Espresso – Espresso coffee
- Espresso Italiano – Standard Italian Espresso
- Fines – Fine grain
- Flow Profiling – Flow Profiles
- Flow rate
- Group Head
- Macchiato – Concoction from Espresso
- Preinfusion
- Puck – Compressed coffee block in Basket
- Ristretto – “Short Shot”
- Single Shot Espresso
- Tamping – Manipulating coffee when making Espresso
- Tapping – Typing (hand mixing) when making Espresso
Growing | Culture
- Altitude
- Coffee bean belt – Coffee belt
- Coffee Berry Borer – Coffee berry borer (CBB
- Defects
- Elevation – Elevation above sea level
- Hemileia Vastatrix – Coffee rust disease
- Medium Hard Beans – A type of coffee beans
- Potato Defect
- Rust – Rust disease
- Selective Picking
- SHB – Strictly Hard Bean
- Terroir – Optimal Condition
Processing | Progress
Tasting
- Acidity
- Bitterness – Bitter taste
- Body
- Fruity – Fruity Flavor
- Grassy – The smell of herbs
- Moldy / Musty – Mold / Musty Odor
- Mouthfeel
- Nutty-Nut flavor
- Primary tastes – Basic tastes
- Quinine – Bitter substance
- Round / Roundness – Balance
- Smoky / Smokey – The smell of smoke
- Sweetness – Sweet taste
- Taint – Fragrance (smell) defect
- Taste
Terms Of Day
“Vietnam is a massive coffee producer, second only to Brazil as the largest coffee producer in the world. Almost all of the production in Vietnam is comprised of the Robusta species.”
- Vietnam
“The coffee futures market, or C market, is a global commodities market that operates in US dollars. Futures markets are based on contracts for a specific commodity to be delivered in the future”
- C market
Basic Coffee Terms for Beginners
Welcome to the “Coffee Dictionary,” your ultimate tool for navigating the fascinating world of coffee. With this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn about the different types of coffee, brewing methods, roasts, and popular coffee drinks. Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, this dictionary will help you explore and understand the rich language of coffee. New to the world of coffee? No worries! Here’s a list of basic coffee terms to help beginners understand and appreciate this beloved beverage. So, let’s get started!
Basic terms
Types of Coffee Beans
There are many varieties of coffee beans, but the most commonly cultivated and consumed are:
Coffea Arabica (Arabica)
Coffea Canephora (Robusta)
Coffea Liberica (Liberica)
Brewing Methods
Drip Coffee
Drip coffee is a widely used brewing method that involves water slowly dripping through ground coffee beans. This produces a smooth, clean, and well-rounded cup of coffee.
Espresso
Espresso is strong black coffee made by forcing steam through ground coffee beans.
French Press
a coffee pot containing a plunger made of fine mesh with which the grounds are pushed to the bottom when the coffee is ready to be poured.
Cold Brew
Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for an extended period (usually 12-24 hours). This process results in a smooth, less acidic, and refreshing coffee that is served cold.
Basic Terms
Coffee Roasts
Coffee roasts refer to the degree to which coffee beans have been roasted, which affects the flavor, aroma, and appearance of the coffee. There are four main types of coffee roasts: light, medium, medium-dark, and dark. Light roasts are roasted for the shortest time, while dark roasts are roasted for the longest time. The roast level determines the acidity, bitterness, body, and aroma of the coffee, and different brewing methods are recommended for each roast level to bring out the best flavors and aromas.
Light Roast
Light roast coffee beans are roasted for a shorter amount of time, resulting in a lighter brown color and bright, fruity flavors. The acidity and origin characteristics are more pronounced in light roasts.
Medium Roast
Medium roast coffee has a medium-brown color and a more balanced flavor profile, with a mix of acidity, sweetness, and body. This roast is popular for its versatility and wide appeal.
Dark Roast
Dark roast coffee beans are roasted for a longer time, resulting in a dark brown color and a bold, intense flavor. These roasts often have a smoky, slightly bitter taste and lower acidity.
Coffee Drinks
Americano
Cappuccino
Latte
Mocha
Your questions answered
FAQs - Common questions
What brewing method is best for making iced coffee?
Arabica beans are known for their smooth, mild flavor and lower acidity, while Robusta beans have a stronger, more bitter taste and higher caffeine content.
What is Cold brew?
Cold brew is a popular method for making iced coffee, as it produces a smooth, less acidic coffee that is perfect for serving cold.
How does roast level affect the taste of coffee?
Light roasts have brighter, fruitier flavors and more acidity, while dark roasts have bold, intense flavors and a smoky, slightly bitter taste. Medium roasts offer a balanced flavor profile.
What is the difference between a cappuccino and a latte?
Both are espresso-based drinks, but a cappuccino has equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk, while a latte has more steamed milk and less froth, resulting in a smoother, milkier drink.
Can I make espresso at home without an espresso machine?
While it’s difficult to replicate the exact process of making espresso without a machine, you can use a stovetop espresso maker (Moka pot) or an AeroPress to create a strong, concentrated coffee similar to espresso.
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Coffee Dictionary Online: An A-Z of coffee, from growing & roasting to brewing & tasting. You can search for any term, Coffee Dictionary – Coffee Terms definition in the coffee industry. An authoritative and comprehensive dictionary containing clear, concise definitions of over 1000 key coffee terms, this A to Z covers all aspects of coffee including from growing & roasting to brewing & tasting. There is strong coverage of the coffee industry. Fully revised to keep up-to-date with this fast-moving field, this new edition expands the coverage to include terms relevant to the coffee wave 4th.