There’s a lot of reasons that you might want to learn how to start drinking coffee. From a caffeine kick to get you through the day, to the many health benefits coffee has, and all the way down to the social acceptance of others that might make you want to make coffee part of your daily routine.
But you might not know how to start drinking coffee as part of your routine. Looking back, I know I drink coffee a lot differently now than when I started. I’ve come to love it and enjoy it. So let’s go over everything from roasts to additives and get you started.
Let me guide you through all of your different coffee options, and present to you the best path forward so you can start drinking coffee like a rock star!
Quickly Jump to a Section:
- Things to Know for Beginner Coffee Drinkers
- How to Start Drinking Coffee For Beginners: Start to Finish Guide
- Conclusion
Things to Know for Beginner Coffee Drinkers
If you’re a beginner at drinking coffee there are some key things about coffee that you should know.
- Coffee can taste bitter. If you didn’t know this already it’s good to know before you try black coffee for the first time. That way there’s no surprises.
- Consuming too much caffeine can lead to side effects such as jitteriness, insomnia, and increased heart rate. Some people may may also be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others.
- Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can cause acid reflux or an stomach upset.
- Coffee can interact with certain medications, so it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women should limit their caffeine intake.
- Coffee can stain teeth, so it’s a good idea to brush or rinse your mouth after drinking it.
- Some people may develop a tolerance to caffeine over time, so it may not have the same effects as it did when you first started drinking it.
- There are decaffeinated options available if you want to enjoy the taste of coffee without the caffeine.
- Drinking coffee in moderation can have health benefits such as reducing the risk of certain diseases and improving cognitive function.
How to Start Drinking Coffee For Beginners: Start to Finish Guide
Start out Small
If you are new to coffee begin by drinking small amounts such as a half cup or less. This will help you gauge your tolerance and avoid potential negative side effects. You also won’t waste as much coffee if you don’t like the particular taste you’re trying.
Coffee tastes bitter and the taste can linger a little bit. Take some time between trying different types of coffee. Don’t taste test coffee like you’re served a beer flight!
Try Different Brewing Methods
There are many ways to make coffee, such as drip brewing, French press, and pour over. Experiment with different methods to find which one you prefer. Believe it or not, the brewing method for coffee can impact the taste even if you are using the same beans.
Drip coffee is the coffee we normally think of at home or work. It’s made by pouring hot water over ground coffee beans that are contained in a filter. The water then drips through the filter and into a carafe or pot, creating a finished cup of coffee.
French press coffee, also known as a cafetière or coffee plunger, is a manual method of making coffee. Ground coffee beans are placed in a cylindrical glass or stainless steel container (the French press) and hot water is added. After steeping for a few minutes, a metal or nylon mesh plunger is pressed down through the water, separating the brewed grounds from the liquid coffee. The coffee produced using this method tends to have a rich, full-bodied taste and more sediment than drip coffee.
Pour-over coffee is a manual brewing method that involves pouring hot water over ground coffee beans that are contained in a filter, typically made of paper or metal, similar to drip coffee. However, the key difference is that with pour-over coffee the water is poured over the coffee in a slow and controlled manner, allowing for a more precise extraction of the coffee’s flavors. This method results in a cup of coffee that has a clean, clear taste, with the flavors of the beans being more prominent.
Adding Flavors to Your Coffee
Adding flavor to coffee can greatly impact the taste of the final product, and can also mask some of the natural flavors of the coffee beans, potentially making the coffee less nuanced and complex. Flavored coffee can also be a great way to enjoy coffee if you don’t like the natural taste of coffee.
It’s important to note that some added flavors can be artificial and may not be a good quality. It’s important to keep in mind that adding flavors to coffee can also change the chemical composition of the coffee, which can have an impact on its nutritional value and caffeine content. Personally, although I drink mostly black coffee I like to add a little bit of cinnamon to my coffee as a healthy flavor alternative
Try Some Different Types of Coffee
What is the best coffee for beginners? There are various types of coffee beans each having their own unique flavor profile. If you want to know how to start drinking coffee without the coffee being too harsh on the taste buds here are your best options:
- Arabica: Arabica coffee beans are considered to be of higher quality than Robusta beans. They have a sweeter, softer, and more delicate flavor profile, with notes of fruit and sugar. They are also lower in caffeine content than Robusta.
- Robusta: Robusta coffee beans have a stronger, more bitter flavor than Arabica beans, with notes of nuts and chocolate. They are also higher in caffeine content than Arabica.
- Colombian: Colombian coffee is known for its well-balanced taste, medium acidity, and nutty flavors. It is considered one of the best coffee beans in the world.
- Kenyan: Kenyan coffee beans are known for their bright acidity and fruity notes, particularly citrus and berry. They are considered to be some of the highest quality beans in the world.
Experiment with Different Roasts
Coffee beans are roasted to different levels, from light to dark. Each roast will have a unique flavor profile, so try different roasts to find which one you prefer. We’ve narrowed down the best roasting options for beginner coffee drinkers.
- Light Roast: Light roast coffee beans are roasted for a shorter period of time, resulting in a light brown color and a mild flavor. They have a higher acidity and a higher caffeine content than darker roasts.
- Medium Roast: Medium roast coffee beans are roasted for a slightly longer period of time than light roast beans. They have a medium brown color and a balanced flavor, with a slightly higher acidity and caffeine content than dark roast beans. We’re avoiding dark roast coffee because dark roasts will have a strong and bold flavor which may be too much for a beginner.
- Vienna Roast: Vienna Roast is a medium-dark roast coffee. It has a rich, smooth flavor and is characterized by its dark brown color. This will be slightly bolder than a medium roast but worth the experiment.
Drink Coffee at the Right Time
We want to get you off on the right foot as you begin your coffee drinking journey. Drinking coffee at the right time can help you get the most out of your cup of coffee and minimize any negative effects it may have on your body.
With a stimulant (caffeine) being the primary active ingredient in coffee your sleep and energy levels can be affected. If you drink coffee too late in the day, it can interfere with your ability to fall asleep at night, leading to insomnia or poor sleep quality. It’s generally recommended to avoid consuming caffeine within 6 hours of bedtime.
On the other hand, drinking coffee in the morning or early afternoon can help you feel more alert and energized during the day. Studies have shown that caffeine consumption can improve cognitive performance, such as memory, attention and reaction time.
Additionally, drinking coffee at the right time can also help you avoid any potential negative side effects, such as jitters, anxiety or an upset stomach.
Coffee Can Be Like a Treat – Enjoy It!
We’ve talked about some of the health benefits in coffee. It can also be an acquired taste for some. But if done right, coffee can also be like a dessert or treat in your life that you can customize any way you like. Starbucks and other coffee shops have built an entire business off of this.
I had to learn how to start drinking coffee myself way back in the day. For my journey, I went from drinking coffee with creamers, to black coffee, and I loved flavored coffee so much I bought an espresso machine. I got to the point where I look forward to the times where I make my own lattes and cappuccinos. I truly enjoy and look forward to my coffee every day.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why people should learn how to start drinking coffee and have fun with it. Enjoying the taste and aroma of your coffee can be a sensory experience that can help you relax and savor the moment. There are many different types of coffee beans, brewing methods, and ways to enjoy coffee, which means that there are many options to explore and find something that you love. It can also be a very social experience as more and more people can sit, talk, and interact over a cup of coffee.
Drinking coffee is a great way to relax, socialize, improve your health, and boost your energy. With so many options to explore and experiment, it can be a fun and enjoyable experience. It’s also a great way to personalize the experience and make it your own way to enjoy.