How to Appreciate Coffee Like a Connoisseur

Coffee should be more than another morning routine we take for granted. A perfectly brewed cup is a work of art that engages all the senses, from the rich aroma to the velvety texture. In the same way painters choose their colors and brushstrokes, skilled baristas meticulously select the grind, water temperature, and brewing method to create a delicately balanced cup of coffee. As coffee lovers, it’s our job to learn to appreciate the craft, not just the drink. 

If you’re wondering how to appreciate artisanal small-batch coffee with the skill of a connoisseur, here are some simple tips to help cultivate your practice.

Purchase Top-Tier Coffee

The third wave coffee movement and its artisanal coffee have influenced the coffee preferences of the masses. From selecting high-quality coffee to careful roasting and brewing methods, small-batch artisanal coffee combines artistry and skill to create an exquisite cup of coffee.

Much like an art lover doesn’t skip the best museums, coffee connoisseurs should seek out the highest quality artisanal coffee possible. This means opting for a coffee box subscription to a third wave independent roaster with a reputation for delivering exceptional coffee. And, if you’re lucky enough to live near a third wave coffee roaster, it means stopping in to experience an exquisite cup.

Use High-Quality Equipment

The proper equipment is essential in delivering the best cup made from artisanal small-batch coffee. Premium brewing equipment can help extract maximum flavor from the coffee while minimizing bitterness and acidity. It enables high precision and control over temperature, water pressure, and brewing time. In addition, top-tier equipment is made from quality materials that are durable, ensuring it can withstand the demands of frequent use. Poor equipment may produce a brew that is lacking in quality with less-than-ideal tasting notes. As artists care for their art supplies, coffee connoisseurs need to care for their high-end equipment to ensure it performs as it should.

Experiment with Brewing Methods

Who says you can’t master the art of brewing at home? Artists experiment with different techniques all the time, so now is the perfect time to experiment with your coffee making. A coffee connoisseur understands there is more than one way to create an exceptional cup of coffee. To enhance your appreciation, try experimenting with these methods to learn what you enjoy (and don’t).

Drip Coffee

This method is completed using a paper filter; hot water is carefully poured over coffee grounds, producing a smooth, consistent brew.

French Press

This method involves steeping coffee grounds in hot water and pressing them with a mesh filter. The result is full-bodied, rich coffee.

Pour Over

This method includes manually pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a paper filter. The water is poured in a circular motion to ensure even extraction.

AeroPress

This manual brewing method involves steeping coffee grounds in hot water while air pressure forces the mixture through a paper filter—providing a smooth, clean coffee with low acidity.

Make Each Sip an Elegant Affair

A priceless piece of art and your coffee deserve an impressive presentation! You should sip from a cup you love for a luxury coffee affair. The quality of the cup matters as it can enhance the coffee-drinking experience. Different sizes and shapes of cups and mugs can affect your coffee, delivering a more pleasurable and satisfying event. For example, wide-rimmed artisan coffee cups can enhance the coffee aroma, while curved or flared rims are easier to direct coffee to the mouth, enhancing the taste. A small cup will make a single shot of espresso feel rich and concentrated, while a large cup is excellent for holding a larger drink, like a latte.

Drink with Purpose

If you speed-walk through an art gallery without observing and appreciating each piece, you aren’t getting the whole experience. Similarly, when drinking coffee, it’s essential to take your time, savor each sip, and appreciate the various tasting notes that make each cup unique. When tasting coffee, hold it in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing. Try to identify different tasting notes, including fruitiness, nuttiness, or chocolate, and see how they blend to create a complex, enjoyable taste.

Make Coffee a Social Event

Wine, food, and art enthusiasts enjoy sharing their love and passion with others, so why not gather with fellow coffee lovers? This is why coffee shops are so beloved, but you can achieve the same coffee-loving atmosphere from home. Host a coffee-tasting event or start a coffee club, online group, or podcast. The best part is, once you meet fellow coffee connoisseurs, you’ll always know what to give them for birthdays and holidays—coffee gift subscriptions!

About Verve Coffee Roasters

Coffee has been Verve Coffee Roasters’ craft, ritual, and passion since 2007, when two college friends, Colby Barr and Ryan O’Donovan, founded it to source artisanal small-batch coffee responsibly, from seed to cup. Verve Coffee Roasters sources their single-origin coffee and blends from smallholder farmers worldwide through direct trade relationships, encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. Discover the difference Verve Coffee Roasters can make with a customizable coffee subscription. Find your favorite premium coffee using their convenient online coffee quiz and determine how much you need with their innovative coffee calculator. In addition to a coffee subscription gift, Verve Coffee Roasters also has cafes across California and Japan.

Enhance your love of coffee with a coffee box subscription at https://www.vervecoffee.com/