Deep Knowledge - Mudhouse Blog

There is no such thing as a strong cup of coffee!  The modifier “strong” is the most frequently misused descriptor of a coffee’s taste.  When we say a coffee is “strong,” what do we mean – is it full bodied? A dark roast? Does it have a lot of caffeine?

Strong means many different things to many different people.  To avoid this confusion, coffee professionals avoid using the word “strong” when describing a cup of coffee.  Instead, there are approximately 5 different categories across which we can describe a cup of coffee to better understand and explain the experience.  These words and categories are meant only to clarify what a coffee tastes like – not to determine which one is “better.”

Like other premium beverages, the best tasting cup of coffee is a personal decision based on your own taste preferences.  A darker roast is not a better roast; full bodied is not better than medium body.  At the Mudhouse, you can be assured that every coffee is roasted with extreme care to bring out the best flavors in each bean – beyond that, the decision as to which one is best is entirely yours! 

BODY – What does the coffee feel like in your mouth?  Is it Thick/Full (like whole milk) or Thin/Light (like water)?

FLAVOR – What flavors do you taste? Is it spicy, fruity, or nutty?  Is the flavor Mild or Intense? 

AROMA – What do you smell?  Floral, fruity, musty?  Is the aroma strong and intense or weak and subdued?  (Coffee’s aroma fades with age…can you tell if it is stale?)

ACIDITY – What is the coffee’s texture in your mouth?  What is the sensation of dryness in the back and around the edges of your mouth?  Low acidity has a soft and smooth texture.  Medium acidity is a little snappy. And High acidity has a crisp, snappy finish, similar to red wine.  Acidity is closely linked to a coffee’s origin: Coffee from South America is typically low in acidity; Coffee from the Pacific is usually medium acidity; and Coffee from Africa typically has high acidity. 

BALANCE – Is one characteristic more dominant than another? Is one overwhelming?  Or do the body, acidity, and flavor compliment one another?

So now the question is… Which type of coffee do you like best?  Do you prefer a full or light bodied coffee?  What level of acidity? 

Which coffee is your Favorite—And why?