Coffee Glossary

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  • Balance

    A tasting term applied to a coffee for which no single characteristic overwhelms the others, yet the coffee displays sufficient complexity to be interesting.


  • Barista

    Italian term for a skilled, experienced espresso bar operator. 


  • A coffee brewing method similar in process to the drip method but for larger quantities of coffee. The batch brew method uses a batch brewer ranging in capacity from 1-18 liters, making it ideal for cafes and restaurants.

  • Bird-friendly coffee

    Coffee that is certified as grown in support of natural bird habitats and populations. This certification often goes hand-in-hand with shade-grown.

  • Blending

    The combination of coffee beans from two or more origins to create a flavor profile or balance production costs

  • Brewing methods

    Different ways that coffee can be transformed from bean to beverage form according to desired strength and flavor. Popular coffee brewing methods include: drip, pour-over, French press, espresso, cold brew, siphon, Chemex, percolator, Moka pot, Kalita Wave, and Clever Dripper.

  • Briny

    The salty sensation caused by excessive heat when coffee has been left on the warming element too long after brewing, e.g., truck-stop coffee.

  • A secondary defect that describes a breakage in the coffee bean