How to figure out what coffee you like
5 min read
Taste coffees in pairs that differ by one thing, such as light versus dark roast or washed versus natural, and note what you prefer. After four or five bags you'll know your preferred roast, process and flavour family, which is all you need to shop confidently.
Most people know they like or dislike a coffee but not why. A taste profile is just a short answer to three questions: how roasted, how fruity, and how heavy do you like it?
The one-change method
If you change roast, process and region all at once, you can't tell what caused the difference. Change one thing per pair.
| Round | Compare | You learn |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Light vs dark roast | How much brightness or bitterness you enjoy |
| 2 | Washed vs natural, same roast | Whether you like clean or fruity |
| 3 | Arabica vs robusta | How much body and strength you want |
| 4 | Two regions, same process | Smaller differences of origin |
| 5 | Your favourite vs something experimental | Where your edges are |
Compare: Light roast vs Dark roast →
Keep a tiny tasting log
- Coffee name, roaster, roast and process.
- How you brewed it.
- Three words: one for flavour, one for body, one for how you felt about it.
- A score out of five. Your score, nobody else's.
Tip: Milk changes everything. If you drink milk coffee, test the pairs with milk too. A coffee that tastes thin black might be lovely in a cappuccino.
Typical profiles and where to look
| If you like | Try |
|---|---|
| Strong, chocolatey, with milk | Medium-dark or dark, washed, or blends with robusta |
| Sweet and balanced, black | Medium, washed or honey, chocolate and caramel notes |
| Juicy and fruity | Light or light-medium naturals |
| Bold and unusual | Anaerobic and co-fermented lots |
| Low acidity | Monsooned coffee, dark roasts, cold brew |
Pair one: a light natural
See all →
Monsoon Edit
Pair two: a medium washed
See all →
Punjisil Tribal Farm – Washed Arabica
Dunduga Estate
Questions
How many coffees do I need to try?
Four or five bags, tasted in pairs, is usually enough to see a clear pattern.
Will my taste change over time?
Often, yes. Many people move towards lighter or fruitier coffees as they taste more, but there's no right direction.
Should I brew both coffees the same way?
Yes, when comparing. Same brewer, same ratio, same water. Otherwise you're comparing recipes, not coffees.
Read next
What do coffee tasting notes actually mean?
Why a coffee can taste of blueberry without any blueberry in it, and how to use tasting notes when you shop.
How to choose a specialty coffee you'll actually like
A simple way to read a coffee listing: roast, process, origin and notes, and how each one changes your cup.
How do I buy my first bag of specialty coffee?
A calm, no-jargon plan for choosing your first specialty bag in India, from roast level to grind to bag size.
Arabica vs robusta: what's the difference in India?
India grows both species, and grows robusta unusually well. Here is how they differ in the field and in your cup.