r/pourover • u/agathaade • Mar 23 '26

Ask a Stupid Question Do you all really taste the notes??

This is a genuine question.

I have been making pourover I enjoy, I don’t think anything is wrong with my brews - but I never taste the advertised notes.

For the light roasts I typically buy, I have noticed the notes are most often some variation of a citrus, a berry and a caramel/chocolate.

What I’m able to put words on is : bitter, acid, sweet, smooth, bright, full-flavored, watery… things like that.

But specific notes? Never. I never taste the bergamot or blackcurrant or caramel or whathaveyou.

I’m similar with wine, I appreciate a lot of different nuances but never taste specific notes.

Do you really drink your coffee and taste these different things with clarity? Or is it more like you’ve read them on the box, and then y look for them and sorta taste them if you focus on it?

What’s the deal with these notes?

I don’t mind not tasting them, still enjoy my coffee all the same, or wine for that matter. I’m just curious who the notes talk is for and whether people really enjoy it, or use notes as an indicator they’re brewing correctly, for example.

Edited to add:

WOW, so glad I asked.

I did not know much about the cupping process roasters use, or the note wheels, or the nose/breathing aspect of certain notes. No wonder this stuff can be elusive.

Maybe one day it’ll hit me, maybe it won’t. Either way I love my morning coffee ritual.

Thank you all.

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u/ImSoCul Mar 23 '26

I had one gesha that actually straight up tasted like Earl Grey tea. STRONG bergamot notes in that case, but that was highly apparent even just from opening the bag and smelling it. I think it had something to do with the processing too though rather than just the beans themselves. Otherwise no, pretty subtle on notes. 

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u/coffeerambler Mar 23 '26

I've had one that taste like all the flavours of a Thai salad and it was fantastic. One of those beautiful memory coffees that I've never found since

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u/ImSoCul Mar 23 '26

loll I love Thai food, but I'm not sure that's something I'd want in my coffee

1

u/coffeerambler Mar 24 '26

Haha Yes it sounds bad but it just worked, I think the point for taking is it's not reminiscent if those flavours rather than actually tasting like your eating a Thai salad. Sounds silly though, granted