TIL a barista in Portland taught me more about coffee in 2 minutes than any YouTube video ever did

I was at this tiny shop called Heart Roasters last spring, just ordering my usual pour over. The barista handed me my cup and said "smell it before you drink it, then take a tiny sip and let it sit on your tongue for a second." I did it and the difference was insane - I actually tasted blueberry notes I never noticed before. She told me most people gulp coffee down without letting their taste buds catch up. I've been doing that little routine every morning for like 8 months now and my whole coffee game changed. Anyone else have a random stranger give you a tip that totally shifted how you do something?

3 comments

3 Comments

jordanblack20d ago

smell it before you drink it" - fr that's the game changer right there. Most people skip the whole smelling part and just chug.

adamk9520d ago

Fair point but good technique works for me too

the_amy20d ago

Thirteen years using bad form here, so is that technique fail-proof for you @adamk95?