Gee Gallant As we spring into the new year, Gee Gallant from The Yard in Norwich, our regular coffee columnist, is back. This time, she talks about different coffee profiles while asking the burning question – what’s your flavour?
Hello coffee lovers! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, as well as some restful time off coming into the new year. No doubt you got to test the recipes in my previous nourish columns so that you could brew the perfect cup at home on those slow mornings in between Christmas and new year!
If you’re anything like me, you probably can’t start your day without a cup of your favourite brew. But, have you ever considered the different flavours and aromas that make up your beloved cup of coffee? A coffee flavour profile refers to the specific tastes and aromas that make up a cup of coffee. Just like wine, cheese, or any other food or drink, coffee has its own unique flavour profile that is shaped by a variety of factors, including the type of coffee bean, the roast, and the brewing method. There is such a variety of coffee on offer, and I implore you to try them all and get to know the taste of your cup. Just like I know I prefer a Barolo to a Primitivo – check me out, hey! – you will get to work out your personal preference and you can order coffee from roasters, knowing the profile is one you enjoy.
Here are a few of the most common coffee profiles you’ll come across:
• Fruity: we often find This flavour profile in light roasts, and it has a bright, tangy taste reminiscent of citrus fruits, berries, or tropical fruits. If you like fruity flavours, you might enjoy a light roast from South America.
• Floral: these coffee flavours have a delicate aroma and taste that’s similar to flowers, such as jasmine, lavender, or rose. If you’re into floral flavours, look for a light to medium roast from Africa. These flavours are delicate; you don’t want to overpower them when you brew, so a pour over or French press is always a good option.
• Nutty: this flavour profile has a toasty, warm taste similar to nuts, such as almonds, hazelnuts, or pecans. If nutty flavours sound good to you, you might enjoy a medium roast from South America.
• Caramel: we often find this flavour profile in medium to dark roasts, and it has a sweet, buttery taste similar to caramel or toffee. If you’re a fan of caramel, try a medium to dark roast from Central America. I find on an espresso machine, this gives a really luxurious cup of coffee!
• Chocolate: this flavour profile is often found in dark roasts, and it has a rich, chocolatey taste. If you’re a chocolate lover, you might enjoy a dark roast from Africa or South America.
• Spicy: you can find this flavour profile in medium to dark roasts, and it has a warm, spicy taste such as cloves, cinnamon, or black pepper. Spicy makes it sound a tad extreme, but actually it lends itself to a really rounded cup of coffee. Try a coffee from India or Indonesia with a medium to dark roast.
I have only given some guidelines on how to brew these coffees as the best way to find the perfect cup for you is to experiment with the flavour and the brew method to find out what works the best for you! Have fun!
• The Yard is owned by Gee with Shane Blake and Tait Pollack.
You can find them in Pivotal House, Red Lion Street.
