Noticing how my coffee tasting journal has shifted from notes to narratives

I've been keeping a coffee tasting journal for years, and lately, I've observed a subtle change in how I and others document our experiences. Instead of just jotting down flavor profiles like 'citrus' or 'chocolate,' entries are becoming mini-essays about the morning light or memories triggered by the aroma. For instance, last week I wrote a paragraph about how a particular Ethiopian blend reminded me of rainy afternoons in college, completely sidelining the actual tasting notes. It makes me wonder if we're prioritizing storytelling over precision in our hobby. This trend might stem from coffee culture becoming more about personal connection than technical analysis. Personally, I find it both endearing and a bit absurd when my journal reads like a memoir rather than a log.

3 comments

3 Comments

miles7207h ago

Precision doesn't have to be sacrificed for storytelling; in fact, those personal narratives can deepen your understanding of flavor. When I taste a Kenyan coffee that evokes camping trips, it anchors the bright acidity to a tangible memory, making the note more vivid. This approach transforms tasting from a clinical exercise into a holistic sensory experience. Why limit ourselves to dry descriptors when our brains naturally connect taste to emotion? Have you found that these stories help you recall specific coffees better over time?

shane9506h ago

Kenyan coffees always spark memories of sun-warmed citrus groves for me. That narrative layer turns tasting notes into relatable experiences, especially when introducing friends to complex profiles.

felix_coleman871h ago

miles720, bourbon once tasted like my first car's leather seats, proving your memory point.