Learn Coffee Basics
In 2022, more and more people are choosing to become coffee drinkers. The sweet and slightly acidic drink has a cult-like following, and many consider a cup of coffee essential to their daily routine. Coffee is popular, but for a new coffee drinker, it can be hard to know where to begin.
Like wine, coffee has many intricacies. It isn’t necessary to learn the various drinks and roasting techniques, but the amount of information available to coffee drinkers can feel overwhelming. To better understand coffee culture, Dilettante has put together a few easy and digestible bullet points to get started.
Coffee & Caffeine
Coffee distinguishes itself from other beverages due to its caffeine content. Caffeine is a naturally-occurring stimulant, prompting alertness by blocking receptors in the brain. Drinking a cup of coffee helps people wake up because the caffeine prevents the body from feeling as tired as before.
This process may sound extreme, but those without preexisting stomach or heart conditions are perfectly safe to enjoy coffee daily. Medical experts highlight caffeine’s benefits, such as promoting liver health and preventing certain diseases.
Coffee drinkers should be aware it is possible to drink too much caffeine. Commonly, drinking too much coffee at once can cause headaches and dehydration. Having a cup of coffee less than eight-hours before sleeping can also cause poor sleep.
New coffee drinkers should begin slow. Start drinking coffee is to use a blend of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, known as half-caff coffee. This way, the body can adjust to the caffeine, allowing a new coffee drinker to find the perfect serving size for them.
How is Coffee Made
All coffee drinks come from two different coffee plants, Arabica and Robusta. The beans harvested from these plants are both considered coffee, but have distinct characteristics. Arabica beans produce a smooth and sweet flavor coffee, while Robusta beans taste more bitter.
Coffeemakers dry and then roast one of these coffee beans to specific temperatures. By controlling the roasting temperature, different kinds of coffee roasts can be created. These roasts fall into four different categories: light, medium, medium-dark, and dark roasts.
As the coffee beans are roasted, the coffee oils are evaporated from the bean, causing them to crack. Dark roasts are heated to higher temperatures, causing more oil to be evaporated, while lighter roasts contain more oil in the bean itself.
When choosing a coffee blend to try, consider the flavor profiles of each. Light roasts have a smoother and more floral aroma and taste, while dark roasts taste stronger with a chocolate-like flavor.
Different Kinds of Coffee Drinks
The different coffee beans are ground and distilled into the familiar and delicious brown beverage. By itself, hot water combined with coffee grounds is called an espresso, the most basic coffee drink at a café or coffee shop.
Other popular drinks, including cappuccinos, lattes, and mochas, include different amounts of steamed milk to the espresso to add texture and sweetness.
Asking a barista about different menu items is a great way for a newer coffee drinker to find something they might enjoy. Walking into a café for the first time may feel uncomfortable, but given time, a person can find something they truly enjoy.
Visit the Mocha Café
Coffee is our passion at the Dilettante Mocha Café. Whether a person is a long-timer coffee drinker or new to coffee community, the Dilettante staff are more than eager to help.
Stop by any of Dilettante’s Seattle-based locations to discover how enjoyable coffee can be. View the Mocha Café menu online and find a new favorite today.
Ryan
Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Ryan has a fondness for the outdoors, music, and coffee. Some of his favorites are Dilettante's Chocolate-Covered Bing Cherries and L'Orange Truffles. Through his writing and content, he hopes to grow the Dilettante community.
