Very commonly when you Google a given type of coffee you are rewarded with a description of its aroma, flavor and notes. Most folks understand what aroma and flavor are but what are coffee notes?

Coffee Notes

When you taste your morning cup of coffee you will first notice the major flavors such as sweetness, bitterness, or acidity. If you pay attention and have not added other flavoring, too much milk or cream to your cup you may notice, almost as an aftertaste, more subtle flavors that are fruity, nutty or chocolaty. These are your coffee’s notes. They are commonly a result of where your coffee was grown as they are of the variety of coffee you are drinking. In this regard coffee is like wine.

Colombian Coffee Notes

Here at Buy Organic Coffee we are big fans of coffee from Colombia where coffee is grown west of the Colombian Northern Volcanic front in volcanic soil. Growing coffee in volcanic soil results in complex and balanced flavors. The coffee notes typically are chocolate-like, nutty, floral-like, or fruity as well as nutty. These coffee have a medium acidity.

How Volcanic Soil and High Altitude Affect Flavor and Notes

Part of the rich flavor and notes of coffee grown in Colombia in volcanic soil is a result of the high and balanced levels of potassium, phosphorus, and iron in the soil. Part is because of the fact that coffee is grown on mountainsides where drainage is excellent. Thus plants absorb their nutrients a little at a time. Because these coffee are grown at higher than usual altitudes the growing season allows for slow coffee plant grown and production of coffee beans. And this soil has an optimal pH for coffee plants. These factors all contribute in their own way to giving coffee grown in the coffee growing axis in the west of the Colombian Andes its uniquely excellent flavors and notes.

Colombian Coffee Tasting Notes

If you engage in a coffee tasting of most Colombian coffees you will notice fruity notes that will remind you of citrus, red berries, plum or peach. There will also be floral notes like honey-tasting floral roses. There will be sweetness like sugarcane panela (brown sugar cake) or caramel. You may also notice a hint of chocolate, nuts or even dark chocolate.

What If You Cannot Taste Coffee Notes?

Years ago a friend of this writer complained that, not for want of trying, he could not taste the “notes” in his coffee. Nevertheless, he was an avid coffee drinker. The fact that he was also a smoker may have been the reason for his diminished sense of smell and taste. However, there are folks who do not have the nose of a bloodhound or the sense of taste of a coffee gourmet who love their coffee just the same. Out message to you folks is that you should, please, enjoy your coffee and do not worry about hidden flavors and notes that you cannot distinguish. The point of drinking coffee is that you enjoy the experience and, to the degree that you are concerned about long term health benefits, coffee helps reduce the risks of type II diabetes, several types of cancer, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.