Acidity - Coffee experts will use the term acidity to help describe the taste of any particular coffee. The acidity is what can give a coffee that little extra edge on its natural sweetness without making it taste bitter.
Arabica Beans - Arabica coffee beans are the type of beans that are most highly rated by industry experts. This type of bean produces the highest quality coffee and you’ll generally find that it is grown at high altitude. You’ll usually pay a little extra for Arabica beans as opposed to lower grade beans such as Robusta (see more about Robusta later in the coffee glossary).
Aroma - You can use the word aroma to describe the smell of your coffee bean or brewed coffee.
Barista - A Barista is the person who makes up your coffee order in your local coffee shop. Baristas nowadays are highly trained individuals who understand how to make the best cup of coffee possible no matter how you take your coffee.
Blend - The term blend is used to describe coffee that is made up from more than one type of coffee bean.
Body - The term body is used to describe an element of the taste of coffee – i.e. full-bodied.
Caffeine - Caffeine is the stuff that makes coffee fun! Caffeine is basically a drug found in coffee – it’s the stuff that can give you a buzz when you drink your brew. Too much caffeine can make you cranky, give you headaches and generally make you feel under par.
Cappuccino - Cappuccino is a popular type of coffee composed of espresso coffee, milk and foamed milk on top. It’s often also enjoyed with chocolate and/or cinnamon sprinkles on top as well.
Cherry - Coffee beans grow in cherries – this is the fruit produced by a coffee plant with the beans being harvested from within the coffee cherry.
Coffee Beans - Coffee beans are the beans harvested from the coffee plant which can be commercially roasted or sold green (unroasted). Once roasted and ground they are used to make your cup of coffee.
Coffee Pods - Coffee pods are individually sealed and wrapped ‘pods’ of coffee to be used in compatible coffee makers such as pod systems. Pods come in different varieties, types and flavors and make a single cup of coffee.
Decaffeinated Coffee - Decaffeinated coffee is coffee that has been put through a process that removes most of the caffeine. So, you can enjoy your favorite brew without the side effects that caffeine can give you.
Espresso - An espresso is a small cup of coffee that is concentrated and rich. It is made by a pressure method which forces water through the coffee.
Flavored Coffee - Coffee to which a specific flavor – i.e. vanilla, cinnamon etc – has been added.
French Press - A French Press (also known as a Cafetiere) is a type of pot for making coffee. The coffee is put in the pot and boiling water in added to it. When the coffee is brewed you push down the plunger to separate the coffee grounds from the brewed coffee so you can pour it out.
Green Beans/Green Coffee - Green beans/green coffee is the term used to describe coffee beans before they have been roasted. Consumers can buy green beans and roast them themselves at home if they wish.
Ground Coffee - Ground coffee is coffee that has been ground from roasted beans. This is often sold by coffee stores and other retail outlets for use in coffee makers at home.
Hard Beans - Hard beans are coffee beans that are grown at significantly high altitudes (i.e. 4,000ft+). These beans are considered to be of higher quality than beans grown at lower altitudes.
Instant Coffee - Coffee that has been prepared by a coffee company ready to be used instantly by just adding hot water to a measure of the coffee in the cup.
Java - A commonly used generic name for any cup of coffee – the term originates from the coffee producing island of the same name.
Latte - A Latte is a milky cup of coffee that is made up of an espresso shot, lots of milk and some foam on top.
Mellow - As you might expect coffee that is described as being mellow has a mellow taste!
Peaberry Beans - Coffee comes from the coffee cherry – most cherries will contain two coffee beans. If the cherry only contains one bean then it is called Peaberry.
Ristretto - A ristretto is a cup of coffee that is kind of like an espresso but it is even more concentrated and is even stronger than a normal espresso.
Robusta Beans - Robusta beans are coffee beans that are grown at lower altitudes. These types of beans are generally considered to be of lower quality than beans grown at higher altitudes. See the Arabica Beans entry in the coffee glossary for more information there. Many coffee manufacturers will use Robusta beans to make up their instant coffee ranges.
Soft Beans - Soft beans are coffee beans that are grown at low altitudes (i.e. at less than 4,000ft, for example). These beans are often given lower grades than hard beans.
Whole Bean Coffee - Whole bean coffee is coffee that is still in bean form but that has been roasted. This is ready to be ground to make coffee.
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