08/30/2026
So… what do coffee “tasting notes” actually mean?
Have you ever looked at a bag of coffee and seen tasting notes like chocolate, caramel, berries, citrus, or nuts and thought, “Okay… but my coffee tastes like coffee.” 😂 You're not alone!
When we list tasting notes, we're not saying that those flavors have been added to the coffee. Coffee naturally contains hundreds of flavor and aroma compounds, and depending on the bean, how it was processed, roasted, and brewed, certain characteristics can come forward.
Think of it a little like instruments in a song.
A song might have drums, guitar, piano, and vocals, but you don't necessarily focus on every instrument every time you hear it. One time you may notice the guitar; another time the drums stand out. Coffee is similar. A coffee can have several different flavor characteristics, but depending on how it's brewed, its temperature, your own palate, or even what you just ate, different notes may stand out from cup to cup.
And here's another important thing: You may not taste every tasting note every time you drink the coffee.
One person might taste cherry while another notices more chocolate. You might taste caramel when the coffee is hot, but as it cools, the citrus or fruitiness becomes more noticeable. Your grinder, brewing method, water, temperature, and your own palate can change what you pick up.
That's part of what makes specialty coffee so fun!
So when you see tasting notes for one our origins, think of them as a guide to the flavors and aromas you might discover—not a list of ingredients.
Next time you brew a cup, let it cool for a few minutes and take another sip. You might be surprised by what you notice!
What tasting note do you enjoy most in coffee—chocolate, caramel, fruit, citrus, or nuts? 👇
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