How to taste coffee like a barista
Three coffees side by side, and the three questions that tell you what you actually like.
Most mornings you drink one coffee and move on. A tasting slows that down: three coffees, side by side, so the differences finally have somewhere to stand.
Start with the smell
Before you sip, lean in. A washed Ethiopian often smells of jasmine and lemon peel; a Brazilian is closer to cocoa and toasted nuts. Say what you notice out loud. There are no wrong answers.
Slurp, don't sip
A loud slurp sprays the coffee across your whole tongue. It feels rude for about ten seconds, then it becomes the best part.
Compare, don't judge
- Which cup is brighter?
- Which one feels heavier?
- Which finish stays longest?
By the third cup you'll know what you actually like, and how to order it.
Juniper Lane is a made-up coffee bar used for Neural Draft demos.