Understanding 5 key properties of coffee flavour and the impact they have on your brew

Red apple, toffee, molasses – tasting notes can be broad, complex and tricky to identify for those without a trained palate. Luckily, we’re here to help.

On the back of our packaging, you’ll find our flavour infographics. These are designed to help you learn about the coffee at a glance and compare different blends to find your favourite flavour.

By breaking down five key properties of each blend, we can quickly assess profiles of different blends and find the flavour we’re after.

Body

Refers to the texture or weight of a coffee. The body of a coffee refers to its weight and texture on the tongue. A full-bodied coffee will feel heavy and velvety, while a light-bodied coffee will feel more delicate and tea-like.

Acidity

Acidity in coffee refers to the tangy or tart taste that is present. It can range from bright and crisp to intense and sharp, and adds complexity to the overall flavor profile. Acidity is crucial in coffee that we blend with milk.

Sweetness

A coffee's sweetness comes from its natural sugars, roasting and processing methods. Sweeter coffees have a pleasant, almost dessert-like taste, while less sweet coffees may have a more bitter flavour.

Chocolate

One of the most common tasting notes found in coffee. Darker roasts tend to bring out more chocolate flavours, while lighter roasts may have more subtle hints of chocolate.

Fruit

Some coffees may have fruity notes, such as citrus, berry, or tropical fruits. This can be influenced by the origin of the beans, the processing method, and the roast level.


The further from the centre a property rates, the stronger that property is in the cup.

Comparing our big, bold and chocolatey A.R.T. Espresso to the sticky-sweet Good Brew for example. A.R.T. is a big and bold coffee, so it scores high on body and chocolate. Whilst GB is more fruit-forward, so leans more towards acidity and sweetness.

Our blends are designed to cater to all tastes and preferences. Our head roasters design flavour by blending various origins to curate specific flavour profiles. A mixture of craft and science, blending coffee is a way to guarantee consistency in every single cup.

Next time you’re looking for your favourite brew, weigh up what you're looking for in the cup and let our flavour infographics guide you to your perfect cup.