Coffee tasting is an art: one that engages all the senses, especially sight, smell, and taste. With just a few specific tweaks, it becomes a deeper journey into discovering our personal preferences. Recreate the experience at home espresso; the ultimate concentrate of coffee flavour.
What sets espresso apart is its crema, aroma, body, and taste.
The term espresso means “freshly brewed,” referring to the method of extracting coffee under pressure using a specialised machine. Typically brewed to order, this approach was first developed to speed up service with the earliest machine prototype unveiled at the Universal Exhibition in Paris, 1855. Beyond speed, espresso also offers a more complete extraction of coffee’s essence, delivering both a deep fragrance and a rich aroma.
When brewed correctly, an espresso measures around 25–30 ml and is served at a temperature between 75°–80°C.
Visually, the crema should be a warm hazelnut colour with a compact, velvety texture (not too frothy). A pale crema may signal under-extraction, often improved by using a finer grind or slightly more ground coffee. A dark, burnt-looking crema suggests over-extraction and may benefit from a coarser grind or less coffee. A good indicator of quality is the crema’s consistency and how long it remains before dissolving.
Coffee making is designed to engage all the senses. Savour the aroma, taste, and flavour - up to 80% of flavour perception comes from aroma.
To help guide analysis, coffee aficionados use the coffee taster’s flavour wheel. This wheel maps out nine key flavour categories: roasted, spicy, dried fruit/cocoa, sweet, floral, fruity, sour/fermented, green/vegetative, and other.
Using the inner part of the wheel, try to identify which category dominates in your espresso. Note your initial impressions — this is part of training your palate and refining your preferences.
And finally, pay attention to the finish: the flavours of a well-brewed espresso linger long after the last sip, offering a pleasant, lasting impression — the hallmark of a truly great cup.
