The Art of Coffee Tasting: What to Expect from a Coffee Appreciation Course

There is absolutely no doubt that Australians love their coffee. In fact, the humble morning cup of coffee has such a following that many people invest in professional coffee machines so they can enjoy a fresh brew at home. But to make the perfect coffee at home, you need a good knowledge of all stages of the coffee-making process. Coffee appreciation courses help you understand bean origins, roasting methods, brewing techniques and how they all impact on the final product’s flavour.

So, whether you’re a budding barista or a coffee enthusiast looking to expand your knowledge, here’s what you can expect from a coffee appreciation course.

An introduction to coffee

Most coffee appreciation courses start with a brief history of coffee and its culture. By helping students understand the origins of coffee and how it travels far and wide to reach our cups, this introduction leads to much more detailed information throughout the course.

Understanding coffee beans

There are two main species of coffee, Arabica and Robusta. Each has unique characteristics and produces very different flavour profiles. You’ll learn about these coffee species, and how to identify different types. A strong knowledge of coffee beans is crucial for selecting your preferred flavours.

The journey from bean to cup

The way that a coffee bean makes its journey to the cup has a major impact on the flavour and quality of your drink. Most coffee-tasting classes teach you how coffee beans are grown and harvested. Where your coffee beans come from can make all the difference, so you’ll learn about how geography, climate, and soil affect the flavour.

You’ll also learn about different processing techniques. This gives great insight into different coffee types, flavours, and even how to select drinks based on people’s taste preferences.

Roasting techniques

Roasting coffee beans is another crucial part of the process that you’ll learn about during a coffee appreciation class. This part of the course is great in helping you understand the difference between light, medium and dark roasts. They all have different flavour profiles, so this adds to your ability to recommend different drinks. Plus, you’ll even learn the techniques to achieve the perfect roast.

Brewing methods

No coffee course would be complete without learning different coffee brewing methods. There are plenty to learn, such as espresso, pour-over, French-press and more. The brewing method you use extracts different flavours from the coffee beans, so this knowledge is vital in choosing your perfect coffee.

Coffee-tasting skills

The theory behind your favourite drinks is certainly interesting, but for those who love to get a bit more hands-on, you’ll enjoy learning how to taste coffee the right way. But it’s not just about taste. You use many senses when evaluating the quality of a coffee, such as the aroma and how it feels in your mouth. Most coffee courses also teach you about the coffee flavour wheel, which helps you to identify different drinks using your senses.

Cupping sessions

Another way to compare coffees is by using a technique called ‘cupping’. This is different from simply tasting the coffee, as it uses a specific method. You’ll learn the art of cupping, and get to taste several different types of coffee. It’s a great way to develop your palate as a coffee aficionado!

Identifying flavour notes

Another aspect of coffee tasting is being able to identify individual flavour notes. Different coffees often have fruity, nutty, floral or even chocolatey flavour notes. As you develop your palate, you’ll learn how to identify these different flavour notes in any brew.

Practical tips for home brewing

All of the knowledge above is great, but you also need to know how to apply it all to your daily life. As such, coffee appreciation classes also give you plenty of practical tips on making coffee at home. You can buy all of the equipment you need to roast your own beans and brew them to perfection, and a coffee course familiarises you with these processes.

Our Coffee Appreciation course allows students to choose from a range of green coffee beans and roast them. Once roasted, participants use different brewing techniques to create a variety of drinks. These hands-on skills are essential if you want to roast your own beans and brew coffee at home.

Develop your knowledge with a coffee appreciation course

Coffee appreciation courses aren’t just for aspiring or professional baristas. Rather, they’re open to anybody who loves coffee and wants to know more about their favourite beverage. From the origins of different coffee beans to tasting coffee like a pro, you can learn all you need to enjoy your morning coffee even more. Coffee School by CHT offers coffee appreciation courses where you can learn from enthusiastic, knowledgeable industry professionals. Contact us today to find out more!