A Beginners Guide to Coffee Tasting

Get the Tasting Guide pdf here: bit.ly/HoffmannCoffeePDF & get 2 months of Skillshare Premium for free here: skl.sh/jameshoffmann2
I hope this video is useful - I look forward to your feedback!
Music:
"Nothing Scares Us (Instrumental)" by Super Duper
Get 30 days of free music from MusicBed here: share.mscbd.fm/jimseven

Пікірлер: 861

  • @davyboyo
    @davyboyo4 жыл бұрын

    James, your videos matter. For someone trying to find their own way in coffee, you are a great ally. Thanks again.

  • @mygrouper7628

    @mygrouper7628

    4 жыл бұрын

    Liked that

  • @yengsabio5315

    @yengsabio5315

    4 жыл бұрын

    #HearHear

  • @bakisolak

    @bakisolak

    4 жыл бұрын

    Dav Gats very clean explanation of cupping!

  • @kaneforeman3279

    @kaneforeman3279

    3 жыл бұрын

    What a beautiful worded comment

  • @lowkeyvictor7174

    @lowkeyvictor7174

    3 жыл бұрын

    Indeed. Thanks James

  • @MissPoplarLeaf
    @MissPoplarLeaf2 жыл бұрын

    2:17 Aroma 3:21 Acidity 6:12 Sweetness 7:58 Body/texture/mouthfeel 9:50 Finish 10:57 Skillshare 11:57 Flavor introduction 13:12 Flavor - Fruity 15:35 Caramelization (aka things that have gone brown and are now delicious) 16:20 Flavor description tips 17:02 Scoring 17:36 Bitterness

  • @kg-Whatthehelliseventhat

    @kg-Whatthehelliseventhat

    Жыл бұрын

    Your the best, thank you. 😊

  • @PositivelyNice

    @PositivelyNice

    Жыл бұрын

    Aroma - intensity, quality Acidity - bright and crisp and fresh, not sour, not to be confused with bitterness Sweetness - no simple sugar sweetness, more complex Body/Texture/Mouthfeel - like skim milk and whole milk and did you like it? Finish - what are you left with after swallowing the coffee

  • @GCAT01Living

    @GCAT01Living

    9 ай бұрын

    Bless.

  • @HululusLabs
    @HululusLabs4 жыл бұрын

    For the sweetness you're referring to; in Chinese we have a phrase called 回甘 (huí gān) or just the word 甘 (gān) used to specifically describe a non-sugary sweetness, a sort of pleasant and sweet lingering aftertaste typically associated with tea.

  • @ilikehoodies1658

    @ilikehoodies1658

    4 жыл бұрын

    哎呀!就是这个!可是我从来都尝不出来这种回甘😭

  • @HululusLabs

    @HululusLabs

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@ilikehoodies1658 我以前也是,但现在找到好的豆就有了!

  • @ilikehoodies1658

    @ilikehoodies1658

    4 жыл бұрын

    HululusLabs 真的嘛?!我现在在墨尔本 去好多有名的咖啡厅喝过各种产地的各种处理方法的豆子做的手冲、batch brew 或者奶咖 唉还是喝不出来那些丰富的风味

  • @fy0013

    @fy0013

    4 жыл бұрын

    Rosie my love 我也是在墨尔本,只是觉得墨尔本的咖啡好好喝,但具体都说不上来😂

  • @Neubulae

    @Neubulae

    4 жыл бұрын

    after-sweetness.

  • @zhehaoleong5754
    @zhehaoleong57544 жыл бұрын

    after V60 now this? God i am in heaven.

  • @Fatbutnotflat

    @Fatbutnotflat

    4 жыл бұрын

    We dont deserve this.

  • @liivansh

    @liivansh

    4 жыл бұрын

    Coffee Jesus leads the way

  • @asadmarmash8852

    @asadmarmash8852

    4 жыл бұрын

    It was definitely worth the wait!

  • @MrKeithRokz

    @MrKeithRokz

    4 жыл бұрын

    This is the good place.

  • @paulourbonasneto7464

    @paulourbonasneto7464

    4 жыл бұрын

    Who needs Netflix when you've got this channel?

  • @MminaMaclang
    @MminaMaclang4 жыл бұрын

    This is a weird side effect of James' videos taking off in popularity: the strengthening of the Filipino coffee community through online groups and how it's starting to reach a wider audience outside of the upper-middle income folks who typically frequent third wave coffee shops. I'm seeing so many people in our local community learn more about coffee, and purchase their very first pour-over kit, and many of them talk about your video as soon as it gets uploaded. No doubt your videos have offered a sense of accessibility and inclusivity for coffee that was once viewed as the rich snob's hobby. Thank you, even if you don't know that this is where it led to. This is great. Keep going.

  • @user-nf5js7ho2p

    @user-nf5js7ho2p

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm a filipino and yes this is a fact. The wonders James have done without him knowing. I started off as just loving the taste of different coffee beans in coffee shops. My love for coffee have led me to search groups about it online. In there I found a heartwarming community just sharing and educating each other. Thus, it led me to french press, to my first pour over and now on my way to buy an espresso machine. And yes, I'm still learning. I feel like it's a never ending learning process but I love the journey nonetheless. The community and inspiration that James have brought to us filipinos knowing little to nothing about coffee is just breathtaking to me. From the deepest corners of my heart, thank you for bringing us together through a cup of coffee. ❤

  • @almansouri100

    @almansouri100

    3 жыл бұрын

    This is such an awesome comment. I love it. Love from Sudan 🇵🇭❤️❤️🇸🇩

  • @adamundaneedge2472

    @adamundaneedge2472

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@user-nf5js7ho2p Filipino brewer here too! I've only recently started getting into pour over and I was wondering, what was your first kit and how it went? Asking for reference since im sure you (probably) know how hard it is to get brewing equipment here in the PH~

  • @user-nf5js7ho2p

    @user-nf5js7ho2p

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@adamundaneedge2472 omg yes! My first set was a hero stainless steel cone dripper bought from a local coffee shop, a good ol kitchen scale, and a gooseneck kettle from Japan surplus. true. It's really hard to source coffee equipment. I remember the days when I haven't joined those facebook groups that saved me. But trust me, japan surplus stores and daiso will always be your best friend

  • @adamundaneedge2472

    @adamundaneedge2472

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@user-nf5js7ho2p Awesome, Will definitely join some brewer fb groups and check out the few JP surplus' here in baguio~ Thanks for the helpful advice!

  • @TheFloatingBartender
    @TheFloatingBartender2 жыл бұрын

    I’m a cocktail bartender and a professional barista. I literally watch your videos over and over again man, they help me not to forget pieces that I may have unintentionally. You have struck a perfect deliverance of amazing content that appeals to both novice and pros alike. You literally are a guiding light for pretty much everyone in the coffee industry and home baristas alike. I think I can speak for everyone, thank you sir, we must protect you at all costs.

  • @noisy99_
    @noisy99_3 жыл бұрын

    me: *sips coffee* also me: hmm tastes like coffee

  • @cactus4president

    @cactus4president

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad i saw this on a year old vid 😂

  • @josephgreene9789

    @josephgreene9789

    3 жыл бұрын

    “I’m getting strong coffee notes from this one.”

  • @ShengsDiary

    @ShengsDiary

    3 жыл бұрын

    same hahahahaha

  • @Zemanbeast

    @Zemanbeast

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hmmm yes this must be coffee

  • @noisy99_

    @noisy99_

    3 жыл бұрын

    This is all Nescafe's fault y'all 😂

  • @Konspiracyjna
    @Konspiracyjna4 жыл бұрын

    Sir, I could listen to you talking about coffee forever! Really grateful for all the content you put out, the world of coffee can sometimes seem so difficult and your perspective allows me to just enjoy and try it.

  • @ejschiro
    @ejschiro4 жыл бұрын

    I’ve seen 100 ads for skillshare before, but this was the first time I wanted to check it out. Thanks for the great content!

  • @KohakuNoBaka
    @KohakuNoBaka4 жыл бұрын

    A huge thank you from a person who was intimidated out of existense by people who tried to explain flavours. It always seemed to be like "this roast should taste like yellow fruit and maple syrup and doorknob and how on earth can't you tell". The way you explain things makes me want to experiment more and find out what things actually feel like!

  • @ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim

    @ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim

    Жыл бұрын

    doorknob HAHA you are so hilarious i wish i knew you in real life. XD

  • @MrParkHello
    @MrParkHello4 жыл бұрын

    I just adore the fact of your personal approach to coffee cognition. That is an essential matter and aspect often excluded by people experiencing coffee tasting. I just want to thank you for the work you’re doing out here. Thank you, James.

  • @rickkent6314
    @rickkent6314 Жыл бұрын

    Soooo glad you touched on the sour/bitter confusion. After quite some time, I came to the conclusion that what I was perceiving/describing as bitterness, was, in fact, acidity.

  • @blazecoffeemarketingdepart8961
    @blazecoffeemarketingdepart89614 жыл бұрын

    Really enjoyed the complete breakdown of the process. I also found it refreshing when you give us your take on how you do things different from the community.

  • @GadgetViper
    @GadgetViper4 жыл бұрын

    My local coffee shop/roaster (they have the roaster inside the shop) do free monthly cupping sessions, it's been amazing for developing tasting skills. The last time I went, there were six coffees, 3 from Ethiopia and three from Columbia. Having the chance to taste from 6 different cups was great. They're actually fairly close to you (Hertford about 25 miles north of London) if you're ever in the area, you should visit. The shops called the Bionic Bull coffee Lab. They do V60's, Aeropress and batch brews. Ps I'm LOVING your V60 method, I was brewing in a kettle then transferring to the Hario gooseneck, I still do, but now I'm bringing it to the boil before pouring. The swirl is also a great addition :)

  • @humbertgustaf5241

    @humbertgustaf5241

    10 ай бұрын

    its ColOmbia folk

  • @ivand4894
    @ivand48944 жыл бұрын

    Very informative as always James. A great starting point to tasting. It kinda reminds me to the many wine courses I had long time ago. You learn to develop smelling and tasting the coffee smell and taste, trying to dig deeper if possible... The result comes always to personal taste and flavours. Thanks!

  • @neoreoscar27
    @neoreoscar273 жыл бұрын

    Your channel is my new obsession. It’s refreshing and exhilarating to hear someone so intelligent and knowledgeable talking about something passionately but without being pretentious. I could listen to you talk about anything for hours! Thank you. 😊

  • @nicoengelbrecht2509
    @nicoengelbrecht2509 Жыл бұрын

    James, you have a very special knack of breaking down complex knowledge into easily digestible bites (especially for true beginners like me) and making it highly entertaining at the same time. I am convinced you could explain the process of paint drying and make it riveting. All jokes apart, I truly appreciate how you share your passion for and vast knowledge of coffee with us. THANK YOU.

  • @RagsToRichesFilms
    @RagsToRichesFilms4 жыл бұрын

    Just got my first job as a “Coffee Manager.” This is super helpful for me to explain to my barista how this stuff works. It’s so hard for me to put into words sometimes. Thank you!

  • @robsreality
    @robsreality4 жыл бұрын

    I'm just getting into home roasting, and generally appreciating coffee more. Just wanted to let you know that your videos are fantastic. You're the helping hand I was looking for Thank you!

  • @ryanzspaulding
    @ryanzspaulding4 жыл бұрын

    I’ve really loved watching your videos, especially with the recent topics! I love being able to hear about the intricacies of coffee from someone who is a professional in the field, not just a guy who likes coffee and has a camera. Thank you for your time in making these videos, they are incredibly helpful and exciting to watch!

  • @SimonsShed
    @SimonsShed4 жыл бұрын

    Ah yes, my favourite food-group "things that have gone brown and are now delicious". 😋

  • @angelabuenafeYT
    @angelabuenafeYT4 жыл бұрын

    Been rough lately and from watching your videos for consecutive days ( as anything about coffee brings me so much relief ), there is one detail in your contents/ videos that actually I want to point out: Your tagline, " I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY. " I just realize now how very, very simple but to me the most sincere. So yeah, I hope we all do.

  • @73alfayellow

    @73alfayellow

    Жыл бұрын

    I hope you’ve had many great days since!

  • @danamacarilay2774
    @danamacarilay27744 жыл бұрын

    This was wonderful! I just started trying coffee and was feeling like a failure or an idiot when I couldn't taste the blueberries, jasmine, lemon, toffee, etc. that was noted on the bags... With your two videos on how to cup and taste coffee, I feel a lot more confident about, well, being a beginner! I really appreciated how reassuring you were in this video, and how accessible you made specialty coffee to people like me. Thank you! Definitely subscribing!

  • @Kudlaty771

    @Kudlaty771

    Жыл бұрын

    It's always a process of training your senses. Musicians are the same way, you train your ears to hear nuances in sound that most cannot hear

  • @Pokebear25
    @Pokebear253 жыл бұрын

    I'm from Guatemala and your videos got me interested in coffee at a deeper level, thanks a lot for opening my eyes to many topics on everything about coffee

  • @ddgrunau
    @ddgrunau4 жыл бұрын

    I’m a coffee professional and still find this to be useful. You present and teach in ways that make it seem so much simpler than when I started out.

  • @amandaprzada5823
    @amandaprzada58233 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this channel, James! I’ve been watching your videos daily for almost a week now and they’ve been so knowledgeable. I’m dreaming (and starting the process of planning) to open a coffee shop locally sometime hopefully in the near future, and this channel has truly been my go-to for coffee knowledge and skill. Thank you.

  • @LadyTigerLily
    @LadyTigerLily4 жыл бұрын

    James, these latest videos you've put out, and indeed, all the videos that help a novice or beginner in the coffee world bridge that gap between the professional community and the widely available commercial atmosphere are so, so important. I can't thank you enough as someone who has aspirations to open a coffee education/information center one day. Accessibility is key to reminding career baristas and lay people alike what we're doing this for, and who we're doing this for. Honestly, thank you for all that you do for our community and for being a source of challenge and inspiration so that we might, as the SCA says, "Make Coffee Better."

  • @floorpizza8074
    @floorpizza80742 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, James! After reading all of the terms used in cupping coffee over and over again through the last 15 years, I *finally* understand what they mean. My green coffee supplier cups every batch of the coffee he sells, and his scores and descriptors never meant anything to me; I might as well just flip a coin to decide what I purchase. Thanks to this video (and a few of your other videos), I can now choose my coffees more intelligently.

  • @jameswhitaker2804
    @jameswhitaker28044 жыл бұрын

    James, thank you so much for these helpful videos. Coffee is a very new hobby for me and I simply can't get enough of learning as I watch and listen. This video in particular is so helpful as I have always struggled with tasting things and being able to describe what I am tasting. Thank you for giving us permission to taste and to try and to work at it little by little. You are incredibly inspiring. Thanks so much for what you do. Peace and good.

  • @lukesmith3147
    @lukesmith31474 жыл бұрын

    10:30pm here in New Zealand and a perfect way to nod off dreaming of that morning coffee 👌🏻

  • @matthewrisley9070

    @matthewrisley9070

    4 жыл бұрын

    6:01am here and a wonderful way to wake up

  • @ruthiecoltrane6640

    @ruthiecoltrane6640

    4 жыл бұрын

    8:10pm here in New Zealand and clearly I missed the notification 21 hours ago 😆

  • @Jmax2018

    @Jmax2018

    4 жыл бұрын

    It’s 11 at night where I am and I’m drinking a nice cup. Why wait until morning?

  • @shikhayadav9355
    @shikhayadav93553 жыл бұрын

    I’m not a barista. Will never be but watching your channel has given me so much information. I want to try and note down all the flavours I feel. Thank you. This is something I definitely want to try.

  • @zachend6218
    @zachend6218 Жыл бұрын

    I’m a few years into my journey as a weird coffee nerd and James you were a big part of it. I think what you do is great, your videos allow people to get into coffee as hobby who might not of because of the intimidation and the pretty high cost and I think that’s just really great. So thank you!

  • @marvinduncan5832
    @marvinduncan58324 жыл бұрын

    You call this a beginners guide but I'm developing strategies to use for Brewer's competition next week as an experienced barista from this. This was amazing and I'm really grateful for the time and effort you put into your videos.

  • @patmisc
    @patmisc4 жыл бұрын

    This video is super, incredibly, remarkably helpful. Haha. I personally think you discussed the things I was confused about tasting or sensory for the longest time. I cannot thank you enough for helping us break it down more or make it sound less complicated and intimidating. I am still suffering from bitter-sour confusion. I usually mistake sourness or saltiness even for bitterness. 😅 Thanks again James! 😊

  • @healthymonkeyful
    @healthymonkeyful4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this James. This video has confirmed a few things, but I’ve learned a few things too. Really appreciate the level of detail in your videos as a whole. I haven’t found many (any?) people regularly going into this kind of detail about coffee on KZread. Find it all really helpful.

  • @mikasaa6143
    @mikasaa61434 жыл бұрын

    The books, and videos from you are my motivation on my coffee journey ! Thanks James !

  • @chuck1804
    @chuck18043 жыл бұрын

    Just taking a moment to appreciate how you articulated such an abstract concept so well.

  • @Patback22
    @Patback224 жыл бұрын

    These uploads are the exact content KZread hasn’t had in a while. You’ve done an excellent job.

  • @xploshan
    @xploshan Жыл бұрын

    Been binging your videos this week as I found a newfound passion for making coffee and all the parts associated with it. Thanks for producing elegant and informative videos!

  • @sina4909
    @sina4909 Жыл бұрын

    In all the years since the inception of KZread that I have been consuming content I have rarely ever felt compelled to leave a comment or even click on the like button (privacy freak) but you sir produce such an immensely useful and educational content that I can’t not complement you for it. I have been binge watching your videos for some time now and I have learned so much from you. Thank you!

  • @mahyator1552
    @mahyator15523 жыл бұрын

    I’m not a coffee drinker but your channel made me to become more curious about it .I love how passionate you are about it and I think your love for coffee makes me like it more.

  • @arna437
    @arna4374 жыл бұрын

    You're spoiling us mr Hoffmann! Great content as usual.

  • @AndSendMe
    @AndSendMe4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the ambitious informativeness of your videos, and the obsessive information-seeking that has informed it. You are my favorite vlogger on any topic.

  • @mztahkenkoy30
    @mztahkenkoy304 жыл бұрын

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THIS FREE KNOWLEDGE!

  • @alyssagutie302
    @alyssagutie3023 жыл бұрын

    James! I love this! I’m a coffee lover and never truly stopped and thought why I didn’t like a coffee or what I loved about it and your descriptions are so helpful!

  • @BrandynMakes
    @BrandynMakes3 жыл бұрын

    I wish every KZread coffee video could be recast with James Hoffman. The best coffee teaching and soothing clean coffee vibes. You make me want to drink another cup right now.

  • @musixmylyfe
    @musixmylyfe4 жыл бұрын

    I’m so happy you said that a lot of people find those descriptors frustrating! I’m really into pour over but I was never able to taste the “cherry cola, 3 day old oak barrel during a full moon etc..” I’ll keep working on it though. Today my coffee tastes like plums/apples. I think it’s good to hear these being listed off as you drink. Well anyways, thanks so much for this channel and keep up the amazing work :)

  • @jabetzler6145
    @jabetzler61453 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for doing this James. I had a cupping at home. I used several coffees that I bought here in California, and a few farther away. Your explanations were 'required' viewing before the event. It all worked quite well in my household. Thanks! I pretty much gave up on coffee about 5 years ago; I was a hot chocolate drinker and an occasional coffee sweet milk drink. During lockdown I discovered your videos. Now I am drinking coffee again; mostly black. Thank you for the vocabulary to communicate the different tastes of coffee. I have a bit to go to get all of the tasting notes. I have a better appreciation of: acidic, sweet and bitter. Hoping for more range later.

  • @neerajskcreates
    @neerajskcreates3 жыл бұрын

    I have been through so many coffee cupping videos. And this one made the most sense to me as a total noob and beginner. Thanks a lot for making this video.

  • @rtp737
    @rtp7374 жыл бұрын

    I’ve always been a coffee lover, but by watching your videos I am discovering a whole new Coffee Universe. Thanks.

  • @fattoamanowoodwork3638
    @fattoamanowoodwork36383 ай бұрын

    Good man, this is one of the nicest, clearest yet very pragmatic videos about taste I’ve come across. I’m a nutritionist and I’ve seen a few on the matter.Really massive thank you. You have already change how I see coffee and brought a world of difference to my daily brew. Thank you.

  • @LSC10563
    @LSC105633 жыл бұрын

    James, you have changed our lives! No longer can we just drink coffee... we have just completed the first round of our cupping experiment. Round 2 & 3 to come.. Great fun. We have learned so much. ☕️

  • @joejamesphoto
    @joejamesphoto4 жыл бұрын

    Your channel is my knew favorite obsession! I have spent 5 of the last 24 hours studying your videos! I feel like I never knew anything about coffee before!

  • @tonydesanto3238
    @tonydesanto32382 жыл бұрын

    I started with your espresso videos and your World Atlas of Coffee, but as I am trying new coffees I wanted to find a way to learn them in a very basic way. Then, compare and contrast different brewing methods to accentuate what I like about that coffee (e.g., Turkish, V60, French press, americano, or espresso). This video and the cupping video are fantastic tutorials to get one back to the beginning…to a foundation to build on. Your ability to transfer knowledge, while focussing on the aspects that bring the most fun and make the process accessible, is invaluable. Thank you for the gift of knowledge!

  • @jessicadayla
    @jessicadayla4 жыл бұрын

    Taking the snob out of coffee snob, and leaving just the good brew, I love you (in the wholesome sense)

  • @ashkanforouzani944
    @ashkanforouzani9442 жыл бұрын

    James, I have learned so much from you over the past year that I haved started watching your videos. They are incredibly helpful and full of insight and expertise. I love your way of talking (and it's not just because you have a British accent 😁😂) and how you easily articulate your thoughts, it actually reminds me of Allan Watts. You have intensified my love for coffee a thousand times more. Thank you very much for being so amazing at what you do. Wish you bliss, joy and health.

  • @edwardwood6127
    @edwardwood61274 жыл бұрын

    Thanks James!! All of your vids are 💯 #1 coffee educator on KZread and possibly the world. Keep up the good work

  • @cameralabs
    @cameralabs4 жыл бұрын

    Excellent work, thanks!

  • @robinhill4907
    @robinhill49073 жыл бұрын

    Watching this just now, learning so much and building the knowledge but also the love for coffee. Thank you for your channel.

  • @angelicareyes791
    @angelicareyes7913 жыл бұрын

    This made me subscribe to your videos. I have always been intimidated about the whole idea of cupping and describing the taste notes of coffee. But you make it seem like an invitation to try because there is no right or wrong in describing what you actually experienced in that cup. Thank you sir for this very pleasant and easy to watch video. Took off a lot of insecurity in my head. Now I’m excited to try it at home!

  • @princimalhan1497
    @princimalhan1497 Жыл бұрын

    There are only a few people in this world who are comfortable with being ok with how so ever one feels about anything. Afterall in the end its all about finding the coffee that is your soulmate. James I must admit you give the confidence of finding what really matters rather than chasing definitions. Thank you so much for your videos

  • @samuelvieira6368
    @samuelvieira63682 жыл бұрын

    I’m setting up my first home tasting tomorrow. Can’t wait to evaluate the coffee of my beautiful country of Colombia. Thank you for making these videos approachable. All the coffees are from my home region of Antioquia, one of them from a farm in Santa Barbara, and three of them from farms near Jericó.

  • @nicolasbusse
    @nicolasbusse4 жыл бұрын

    Let's applaud this for guy, and let us note that he's gotten around 19k subscribers over the last 5 days. Trending !

  • @oscarvalle9508
    @oscarvalle95084 жыл бұрын

    Didn't even watch the first 3 seconds of the video, but decided to click the "Like" button. That's just James Hoffman for ya!

  • @xccude
    @xccude4 жыл бұрын

    2 awesome videos in a week, we've been blessed!

  • @andrewjones4277
    @andrewjones42774 жыл бұрын

    A cliffhanger?! DAMN YOU! Love this. The wife and I did our first home cupping the other day with 3 dramatically different coffees. It was loads of fun!

  • @willshakeyou
    @willshakeyou4 жыл бұрын

    Goddamn you are a charming individual. It's sp great to hear your balanced, selfaware, thoughtful perspective on this whole taste thing. This is lovely to watch!

  • @sam52x7
    @sam52x74 жыл бұрын

    This could not have come at a better time. I have just taken the plunge along a new career path in speciality coffee and, with very little previous experience in the practice of assessing coffee, have been exposed to cupping within the first two weeks of starting. Although in a relaxed environment with my peers, I found the process to be intimidating. This video has brilliantly demystified the subject for me and moving forward I can use this information to make the process more approachable and enjoyable. Thank you very much James, keep up the amazing content.

  • @idixon5168

    @idixon5168

    4 жыл бұрын

    sam52x7 how do you/they recommend cleaning your palette before/between spoon dips? Good luck with your coffee hustle.

  • @sam52x7

    @sam52x7

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@idixon5168 I was surprised to find this having had a background in wine but to be honest, in general there isn't any palate cleansing in between each coffee. You can obviously sip water if need be but the point of tasting is to constantly compare and contrast the different coffees you are tasting, so there isn't a need to. This does also depend on the amount of coffee/length of time you are tasting as palate fatigue can occur. So for example if you are tasting two large groups of coffees in the morning, you would potentially need eat something inbetween to rest/refresh the palate and caffeine consumption is also a factor. I had one roaster mention he likes to have miso soup in between tastings 😂. Anyway hope this helps answer your question

  • @xrquancq
    @xrquancq4 жыл бұрын

    Just right in time when I’m wondering about coffee tasting! Thank you!!!

  • @scottfletcher1956
    @scottfletcher19563 жыл бұрын

    These videos are def refreshing to me. The host has a thoughtful presentation that's easy to digest. I bought my first espresso machine 2 days ago and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment, these videos help, a bit (lol).

  • @amamacademy01
    @amamacademy014 жыл бұрын

    I needed to meet you long time ago James, but still not late as long as I'm alive, the only KZread channel with notification alarm on. keep teaching us. Last thing, I think specifically this video helps me in rchitectural criticising, how, by translating perceived info into feelings and measure them. Thank you.

  • @danielbarber9920
    @danielbarber99202 жыл бұрын

    I swear you are the only person on this planet I would be starstruck by. Thank you for your unpretentious guide to espresso, and thank you for taking away the intimidation. It made me take the plunge into buying an espresso machine and I’ve discovered a love for making coffee as well as drinking it!

  • @philiplee8168
    @philiplee81684 жыл бұрын

    It's really interesting to watch as a person working with premium tea, specializing in Puer tea. In a similar manner to what's mentioned here, I focus very much on richness, finish (after-taste), mouthfeel, enjoyment. Something notable is that being too specific with aromas may be less useful since all of us have a slightly different linguistic base and/or subjective memory. Of course, on the other hand, great descriptions help people pay more attention to things they might not have noticed before, although I do prefer to use leading questions for that, which then refers back to the use of the assessment sheets. Great video and I appreciate all the work to help inform more people about these concepts.

  • @liamvictor
    @liamvictor4 жыл бұрын

    This is how I imagine a fireside chat with you James!

  • @yengsabio5315
    @yengsabio53154 жыл бұрын

    "Coffee is a moving target." It is indeed! As such, it brings forth diversity of experience having sipped coffee out of many cups.

  • @chuck1prillaman
    @chuck1prillaman4 жыл бұрын

    We have a civilization. I appreciate Mr. Hoffman's reminding us of that reassuring fact.

  • @enginucar1135
    @enginucar11354 жыл бұрын

    It is truly a joy to watch your videos. All of them are top quality, pleasing and informative. It is also great to learn via your guidance..

  • @PolicarpioNicole
    @PolicarpioNicole4 жыл бұрын

    By far the most beginner friendly coffee tasting video I've seen. You are a coffee deity mr james hoffman. Continue to educate us mortals about the beauty of coffee

  • @MrServasky
    @MrServasky4 жыл бұрын

    Best coffee channel ever. THANKS

  • @JesusGreenBL
    @JesusGreenBL2 жыл бұрын

    I just tried this process for the first time comparing a couple of types of beans I just bought. This was great. Made it so much easier to actually tell which one I liked better, and also made me take much more notice of the little nuances of each sip. As someone who always confused bitterness and acidity, the sides of the tongue tip helped so much. Also this tasting process helped a lot with that, because I used a medium and a dark roast for the comparison, and the dark roast was clearly more bitter, and medium roast more acidic - so having those two tastes right next to each other it was much easier to differentiate them.

  • @stacypacker8415
    @stacypacker84154 жыл бұрын

    Love your videos. Definitely helping me make a better cup of coffee. Planning on doing a tasting when I start roasting my beans this week.

  • @KnightetOfCydonia
    @KnightetOfCydonia4 жыл бұрын

    I feel like I’ve found a friend to help me on my barista journey. Thank you

  • @krszm
    @krszm4 жыл бұрын

    james, thank you for making this video! as someone who is very new and wants to thoroughly enjoy exploring coffee, you are a godsent. Your explanation is clear, objective, clear and logical. I'll see if I can write down the score of every coffee I drank! (I started my first cup a week ago, singaraja bali, and since then my perception on coffee drinking changes. It's super acidic, no lingering aftertaste, no bitterness, the color is red. Not like coffee at all! It surprised me because I only know coffee tastes like bitter-burnt-cheap-sachet-robusta beverage. I want to try another bean so I go to starb*cks, but I'm quickly overwhelmed with those weird descriptions. I honestly thought they really tasted like mango or strawberry. turns out only (as you've said in your vid) it's just - more or less - "level of acidity". So, thanks a lot for the lecture! It really helps me, and of course, many others who watch your video!

  • @pauloamw
    @pauloamw4 жыл бұрын

    Great stuff as usual, really the only coffee content worth watching. Very elucidating words on what sweetness is. I would say that a coffee is sweet when other flavour attributes - bitterness, acidity - are not predominant, a bit like the difference between a very dry crisp white wine and a more balanced one.

  • @JoshThrives
    @JoshThrives4 жыл бұрын

    Came across this video at just the right time. Just got an aeropress and chemex and have been getting really nerdy about coffee. Love it!

  • @adrosjp
    @adrosjp4 жыл бұрын

    Wow - what an amazing video! I love all things coffee but have never done a cupping. Part 1 and 2 of this video have inspired me to finally make it happen this weekend! Thanks for the excellent content!

  • @humanormachine2936
    @humanormachine29363 жыл бұрын

    I've always loved coffee, but I'm new to the world of people who are OBSESSED with it (I don't mean that disparagingly). Your content is so informative and helpful, accessible to beginners without being patronizing. I think the frustration that I'm having is simply being the kind of person who likes to dive head first into subjects, but not having enough experience to navigate the territory. It's easy to become overwhelmed, but at least I came to realize soon enough that I'm out of my depths, and need to slow it down. There's no shortcut for the experience required, especially when you're dealing with an area like this that's somewhat esoteric, abstract, and subjective, but for now, I'm certainly enjoying learning the basics. Thank your for your fantastic content!

  • @richackerman9782
    @richackerman97824 жыл бұрын

    As a new coffee shop owner I must say you do give much food for thought. I have always thought of tasting or simply the ways your nose reacts in general is subjective at beat. This is certainly a starting point in quantifying the elusive. I thank you and more importantly, my employees will thank you.

  • @wawah1st
    @wawah1st4 жыл бұрын

    I just loved the way u explain coffee. *Cheers from Indonesia

  • @kenrod4
    @kenrod44 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the tasting Guide,I am ready to put it into good use. I really enjoyed the video, you have answered a lot of my coffee tasting questions.

  • @100skinks
    @100skinks3 жыл бұрын

    Great video. I wanted to add that in terms of body there are actually very many teas with a thicker, "chewy" mouthfeel. Many of the newer oolong styles like Taiwanese High Mountain Oolong can have a very soft, pleasant texture along with crazy floral flavor. Those varieties/teas produced with that method actually converted me to exclusively drinking tea for a while! Now I'm mostly back to coffee with occasional tea. I was just astounded by how flavorful properly brewed loose leaf tea could be. Going from bags to high quality loose leaf was like going from supermarket pre-ground to single origin, well-roasted whole bean coffee.

  • @royjenkins9681
    @royjenkins968110 ай бұрын

    Very helpful video. Mr Hoffman is so lucid, so easy to listen to.

  • @clericneokun
    @clericneokun4 жыл бұрын

    Years ago when I was still actively listening to people within the coffee community, I often hear them say that an espresso shot left alone for more than a minute will inevitably go bad. My question is: why is it like that for espresso and yet they say that cooling down regular brewed coffee to a lower temperature 'improves' the taste? Edit: Btw, I love how you adjust your vocabulary depending on your audience.

  • @jameshoffmann

    @jameshoffmann

    4 жыл бұрын

    Good espresso tastes good when it cools, ok espresso tastes ok hot and terrible cold. (This is my opinion). The concentration of acids in espresso do throw things out a bit, and your perception of most key tastes is linked to temperature so it will change its balance as it cools.

  • @rachidaitsaid9480

    @rachidaitsaid9480

    2 жыл бұрын

    You are absolutely right.i like to test the coffee when it is cold.

  • @cherochow

    @cherochow

    2 жыл бұрын

    On temperature, here in Asia, I find that we are more familiar with hot drinks at piping hot temperature, likewise for our traditional Nanyang coffee. I'm still trying to get used to 'foreign' coffee where it tends to be drank at lukewarm temperatures which goes rather cold in an instant. That brings me to the temptation which James led me...down the path of the ridiculously expensive Ember Mug. Let's not get there.

  • @Patsesson
    @Patsesson4 жыл бұрын

    These videos are so valuable to beginners who are into coffee :) !! Thank you!

  • @na3420
    @na34203 жыл бұрын

    You are just fantastic James. Thank you very much for taking me in the coffee world.

  • @boira31b60
    @boira31b603 жыл бұрын

    It's a pleasure to watch your videos, you can feel your passion! Thanks!

  • @danh.owdoyoudo
    @danh.owdoyoudo4 жыл бұрын

    Not a lot of this is new, per se, but it's good to be reminded about a lot of these points. I also like the fact that I can use some of these pointers for things like Scotch, beer, and hot sauce tasting. Great video again!

  • @TheIronSavior
    @TheIronSavior3 жыл бұрын

    I'm 10 minutes in and all I can think about is how cold your two cups of coffee must be by now.

  • @SL-vs7fs

    @SL-vs7fs

    3 жыл бұрын

    Lol... I had the same thought and came across your comment as I was listening to him talk about Skillshare.

  • @vladtepes9614

    @vladtepes9614

    3 жыл бұрын

    I find that many of the subtle flavors are more notable as it cools. I can't taste much at all if it's piping hot.

  • @bernz074

    @bernz074

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's like every mom's coffee 😅

  • @tommypatton3556

    @tommypatton3556

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@vladtepes9614 I usually drink dark roasts, but recently tried a light roast from Rwanda and it tastes so much fruitier at room temp! Almost felt blasphemous to say I liked it better since I'm so used to drinking only either piping hot or ice cold lol

  • @pooppoop3595

    @pooppoop3595

    3 жыл бұрын

    Lol you have ADHD dont you

  • @AJKwong
    @AJKwong4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for making coffee tasting that much more approachable James! 19.5 minutes almost wasn't enough.

  • @byronsosagt3224
    @byronsosagt32244 жыл бұрын

    James, you are simply awesome. You have this way to easy understand what you mean by simplifying it. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Cheers from Guatemala.