How to Taste Coffee

Jessica Easto is a writer and editor based in Northwest Indiana. She received a degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee and an MFA in fiction writing from Southern Illinois University. Her first book, Craft Coffee: A Manual, was published in 2017 and was named a top food and drink book of the year by The Food Network, Wired, Sprudge, and Booklist. When she’s not writing about coffee, she edits books and teaches copyediting and proofreading at DePaul University in Chicago. Learn more at jessicaeasto.com and follow her on Instagram @j.easto.

Praise for Craft Coffee: A Manual“Provides all the information budding javaphiles need to discover what they like in a cup of specialty coffee—and how to replicate the perfect cup at home.” —Food Network“Build a better brew by mastering 10 manual methods, from French Press to Chemex, with this comprehensive guide.” —Imbibe Magazine“Like the coffee bean, Jessica Easto’s book . . . dives deep and reaches wide as it teaches consumers how to improve their daily cup.“ —Chicago Tribune“Engaging and fun . . . . I really can’t recommend Craft Coffee: A Manual enough. If you’re even mildly curious about brewing coffee at home, it’s absolutely worth a read.” —BuzzFeed“Easto’s manual for coffee enthusiasts goes beyond mere brew guide to pull back the curtain on the bean itself, coffee processing and roasting, and industry jargon—we’re on to you, tattooed barista. . . . Easto offers a thorough overview of coffee that is never elitist in tone, emphasizing that individual taste should always be one’s guide. . . . Clearly written and comprehensive, this book belongs in every home barista’s tool kit.” —Booklist, starred review“Craft Coffee is a beautifully written guide to improving your home coffee no matter what your brew method or current coffee setup. . . . If this book doesn’t make your brew better, then I’m coming over to your house every morning, because your coffee is already top notch.” —Sprudge“Eliminates the intimidation factor from manual brewing. . . . This guide offers value for new cafés or novice baristas, as well as the casual consumer.” —Fresh Cup Magazine“If you’re ready to learn more about perfecting your morning cup, this is a great place to start.” —Wired“There’s nothing quite like home brewing for sheer satisfaction. This book will help brewers to finesse their technique and select the best equipment.” —Perfect Daily Grind“The small hardcover includes recipes and simply explains how to use equipment and produce tastier coffees.” —Eater Chicago“A well-rounded presentation of coffee basics in an easily digestible format. From helping readers understand the origins of coffee and how it’s processed, to deciphering the vast array of available brewing methods and how to use them, Jessica and Andreas have put together an engaging resource that holds value for home brewers and professionals alike. Full of wonderful illustrations, convenient tables, and helpful sidebars, this is a coffee book well worth poring over.” —Ellie Bradley, editor, Fresh Cup Magazine

• List of Palate Exercises Introduction Chapter 1: Coffee Flavor: A Multimodal Mystery Chapter 2: The Basic Tastes and Coffee Chapter 3: Flavor and Coffee Chapter 4: Developing a Coffee Tongue: Language and Palate Development Chapter 5: Practical Tips for Tasting Coffee Conclusion Acknowledgments Further Reading The Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel Coffee Taster’s Resource Notes