For many people, a dislike of coffee can come down to one too many poorly prepared cups with burned beans or inexpert brewing methods. But coffee is so much more than the bitter morning caffeine hit the uninitiated might be familiar with.
There are plenty of ways to get into the wonderful world of coffee if you’re keen to give it another chance!
Why You Might Not Like Coffee
There are a few things you might be picking up on that are usually markers of a bad brew rather than a simple dislike of the drink.
Bitterness: If a coffee drink is overly bitter, it might not actually be intentional. Excessive bitterness without a nice balance of acidity can indicate stale or low-quality coffee.
Sourness: Coffee that’s been under-extracted (i.e. the water has not extracted enough of the coffee grounds' compounds for a balanced flavour) can be unpleasantly sour, not like the bright, lively acidity that a well-brewed coffee should have.
Lack of freshness: A ‘strong’ coffee doesn’t mean one that’s been brewing for hours; it usually refers to the intensity of flavour, roast type or caffeine content. So while you might think you don’t like ‘strong’ coffee, it may be a lack of freshness or over-extraction you’re tasting.
Poor brewing method: Using the wrong brewing method with the wrong beans/roasts can leave coffee tasting less than its best. Dirty or inefficient equipment can also significantly change the final result.
The Best Coffee Drinks For Beginners
So you think you don’t like coffee? Maybe you just haven’t found your drink yet.
One of the most common recommendations for newbie coffee drinkers is to start with a milk-based drink. The milk can tone down some of the intensity of an espresso shot, letting you enjoy the distinct coffee flavour without it being too overwhelming.
Latte: A go-to coffee shop order with 1 part espresso to 3 parts milk, which provides a mild, slightly sweet flavour.
Cappuccino: Similar to a latte but with 1 part espresso, 1 part steamed milk and 1 part milk foam for an indulgent creamy drink with a distinct coffee hit.
Mocha: A combination of hot chocolate and espresso for a sweeter, chocolatey drink.
Dirty Chai: A chai latte (spiced tea) with a shot of espresso that offers warm flavours that are complemented by a hint of robust coffee taste.
Adding different flavoured syrups, such as vanilla or hazelnut, is another popular way to start drinking coffee, as these give an added element of sweetness to the coffee, along with a more familiar flavour.
Trying cold brew is also great for beginners. This is coffee brewed by steeping grounds in cold water over several hours. The result is a smooth, slightly milder drink with less acidity that's great if you’re wary of an overly powerful coffee flavour.
What Type of Coffee Beans Are Best For Beginners?
Coffee beans come in a wide variety, so it can be tricky to know where to start. The flavour of a particular coffee bean is influenced by several factors, including the region it was grown in, the plant cultivar and the coffee roast level. The best coffee beans for beginners generally include:
Arabica Beans: Opt for these over Robusta, as Arabica coffee generally has a sweeter, smoother and aromatic flavour profile.
Medium Roast: This middle-of-the-road roast level is great to start out with as it offers a nice blend of the acidity you get with light roasts and the bold richness you get with dark roasts.
Regional Coffee Flavour Profiles
Coffee produced in different regions can vary in flavour significantly. As a beginner to coffee, you might want to pick a regional variety based on the kinds of flavours you know you already enjoy.
This very general overview of the wider coffee-growing regions gives you a bit of an idea about how coffee from these areas may differ:
- Latin American: Nutty, chocolatey and caramely.
- Africa: Fruity, floral and sweet.
- Asia: Earthy, herbal and dark chocolatey.
The different countries within these regions will produce coffee with even more specific flavour profiles, so you can narrow it down further depending on whether you want something with hints of blueberry, citrus and jasmine (Ethiopia) or would rather hints of chocolate and hazelnut (Brazil).
Best Coffee Brewing Method For Beginners
Brewing coffee can be somewhat of an art, but you don’t necessarily need loads of fancy equipment to start making great coffee at home. For true beginners, the easiest method for making delicious, consistent coffee from your beans/grounds of choice is with a French press/cafetiere.
Here, you simply combine your coffee with hot water before letting it steep for around 4 minutes. Then you just press the filter plunger down to push the grounds to the bottom of the cafetiere, leaving you with perfectly brewed coffee that’s ready to pour and enjoy.
If you leave the coffee to steep for longer (up to 8 minutes), you will get a more intense, full-bodied flavour. However, leaving it for too long will lead to over-extraction – if you wait for longer than 10 minutes, you’ll likely end up with coffee that is too bitter and lacks the right balance of compounds.
For step-by-step instructions, see our guide on how to make the best coffee.
How to Start Drinking Coffee
Whether you want to get into making coffee at home or want to make the most of your local coffee franchise, these tried and tested ways will help you get more acquainted with coffee culture:
Try milk-based coffee: ideal for people not used to the intense coffee flavour.
Use medium roast beans: a good balance of complex flavours.
Try cold brew: a great option for people seeking a mild, smooth coffee experience.
Try flavoured coffee: opt for syrups that mellow bold coffee flavours.
Embrace high-quality, speciality coffee: a big step up from instant supermarket coffee.
Try different varieties: experiment with different regional coffees and drinks to find your personal preference.
Enjoy barista-made coffee: visit your local coffee shops for professionally made drinks.
Ask baristas for advice: also ask your local barista where to start with coffee or for recommendations on popular beginner drinks.
Ready to begin your coffee journey? Visit your local Esquires store to try our signature blend of 100% organic, Fairtrade coffee, alongside some tasty artisan cafe treats.
