SAIGONDAN Coffee Tasting Guide: Exploring the World of Coffee Flavors

At SAIGONDAN Coffee Supply, we believe that good coffee is what makes life worth living! But what exactly makes coffee good? The flavor. Most of us are flavor illiterate; “good” or “bad” isn’t enough to describe the complexities of coffee. Learning about coffee flavors can help us refine our tastes and shop for coffee that is better suited to our particular preferences.

Understanding Coffee Flavors

From the rich, decadent French vanilla to the sweet, fruity notes of a Vietnamese Blend, the world of coffee flavors is as varied as it is intriguing. For many, the complex characteristics these flavors bring to our taste buds are a big part of what makes drinking coffee such a delightful experience.

What Are Flavor Notes?

Coffee is coffee, but not all coffee is made equal. There are many different coffee subspecies, each with a unique flavor profile and distinct tasting notes. Think of wine: each bottle offers a different experience, from blueberry flavors to a delightful red currant aroma. The same thing happens with coffee.

A flavor note is a small part of a coffee’s flavor that can be easily singled out. Flavor is incredibly complex, so describing it as a whole with just one word can’t ever do it justice. Instead, we use flavor notes in addition to aroma to give a more comprehensive description.

Utilizing a Coffee Flavor Wheel

For those interested in flavor, a very helpful tool is the “flavor wheel.” The flavor wheel shows different flavors and displays the intensity of flavor and aroma. It is immensely helpful when trying to find the words for the flavors we find in our coffee.

The idea behind the flavor wheel is to start identifying something from the innermost part of the wheel, where the most primal flavors/aromas are. Then, each one gets more specific depending on its qualities. Note that coffee flavors are not the same as coffee flavoring, which is artificial. These are added flavors that can be enjoyable but don’t have as much merit as the natural and delicious flavors of coffee.

Common Coffee Flavors

One of the most popular coffee flavors, especially during the fall season, is pumpkin spice—a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice. Mixing pumpkin spice flavor into your coffee can transform a regular cup into a festive treat.

There's a whole world of coffee flavors out there to explore, catering to a variety of taste buds. If you take a look at the flavor wheel, you’ll notice it goes from the most general flavors to more specific ones. Each general flavor can derive into many different flavor notes.

Sweet

Sweet flavors are highly appreciated in general culture. Coffee beans have sugar in them, which are caramelized when roasted. Sweet flavor notes often come from the roast, not just the coffee bean itself. Common sweet flavor notes include:

• Caramel: Found more in medium roasts.
• Molasses: Typically present in medium-dark roasts.
• Honey: A familiar and valued flavor in coffee.

Bitter

Bitterness in coffee comes from caffeine. It’s an essential flavor that brings balance and can be enjoyed when not overpowering. In coffee, bitterness is a primary flavor to identify: how bitter is it? Does it complement the drink or overpower other flavor notes?

Roasted

Coffee is a roasted seed, and roasted flavors are desirable in coffee. Some common roasted flavor notes include:

• Cereal: General roasted grain flavor, like malt or roasted barley.
• Roasty: Describes the rich, full, and round aromatic impression characterized by some degree of darkness.
• Smoky: A rare but high-quality flavor achieved when roasting food using wood or smoking.

Floral

Floral flavor notes are significant in both flavor and aroma. Aroma plays a big part in flavor, and some of the most important floral flavor notes include:

• Jasmine: Highly valued but rare.
• Black Tea: Falls under floral flavor qualities and complements coffee.
• Rose: A sweeter and more pleasant floral flavor note.

Fruity

Coffee beans are seeds inside the coffee cherry, which has a mild taste reminding of apricot. Common fruity flavor notes in coffee include:

• Dried Fruit: Notes like raisin and prune, particularly in darker roasts.
• Tropical Fruit: Notes like passion fruit, often quite acidic.
• Cherries: Sweet, low sourness, and highly sought-after flavor note.
• Berries: Bright acidity with various notes like blackberries, wild berries, black currant, strawberry, and blueberries.

Navigating Coffee Flavors

To identify coffee flavors in your favorite brews, use a coffee flavor wheel. Start with broad categories and work your way to specific notes. If you enjoy coffee with caramel or toffee flavor, you’re looking for sweet flavor notes. If you prefer coffee with berry flavor notes, look for fruity flavor notes and pronounced acidity.

Start Enjoying Coffee Like Never Before

It’s all about the flavor. Every country has its own trademarked flavor notes, and even within each country, each province has distinct notes that set them apart from other growers. Becoming flavor-literate is all about training your palate to recognize and identify different flavors. This exercise will help you enjoy coffee more and enhance your appreciation for all foods and beverages. Remember, the best coffee flavor is the one you enjoy the most.

Welcome to the world of flavor!

Coming Soon: Live Tea and Coffee Tasting Training from Vietnam Farmers

We are excited to announce that SAIGONDAN Coffee Supply will soon be offering live tea and coffee tasting training sessions directly from our Vietnam farmers. These sessions will provide a unique opportunity to learn about tasting techniques firsthand from the experts who grow and process our coffee beans and tea leaves. Stay tuned for more details!

Happy tasting!