Did you know, when we are enjoying our favorite coffee, our brain unconsciously works to capture the experience or sensation of the taste of coffee. This is done by working together between the senses of sight, smell, taste and touch. Then, the result of this cooperation is able to provide stimulation so that we feel the taste of the coffee we are enjoying
Coffee flavor is the taste produced by coffee after the brewing process. The aroma and taste of coffee is a combination that creates the perception of the flavor itself. However, the creation of coffee flavor is influenced by many factors, namely the processing method, fermentation, roasting, brewing, and the cup you use.
How does glass affect coffee?
Yes, you read that right, a glass, cup, or container that holds your favorite coffee.
You are able to help shape the perception of the flavor that you will feel. This is due to the material from which it is made. In general, coffee cup material will be chosen for its ability to keep the coffee hot. This heat retention property causes the glass material to be able to provide different flavor perceptions.
Various glass materials
If you look around your favorite coffee shop, there’s always a stack of different glasses on the bar counter. Cappuccino, Latte, and iced milk coffee cups have different glasses, this adjusts to the size and type of coffee to be served. Let’s discuss the materials of coffee cups one by one and how they provide flavor perception .
Plastic
Plastic cups are widely used to serve cold drinks, and are not recommended for hot coffee, as plastic material is generally not heat-resistant and not good for health.
Plastic cups can change the perception of flavor due to the plastic particles that leach out along with the coffee we sip.
Paper
Because it is lightweight, heat-resistant, and also relatively cheap, this glass is one of the mainstays for hot drinks.
However, paper cups often cause coffee drinks to have a paper flavor or aroma when the quality of the cups used is not good.
Glass
The inert nature of glass makes it perfect for coffee, as it means that the glass itself will not react with the flavors in the coffee.
However, glass has the disadvantage of not being able to retain heat in coffee, so hot coffee will cool quickly when served in a glass cup. Please note that the taste of hot coffee will be different from coffee when it gets colder, so hot coffee served in a glass needs to be consumed immediately.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is one of the basic materials of cutlery and drinking utensils that we often use.
Tumblers are one of the drinking places that use stainless steel, and are often used to hold coffee to keep it warm, and not make ice melt quickly.
However, poor quality stainless steel can cause a reaction with coffee. Quite often, coffee enjoyed using a glass has a different flavor and an unfamiliar impression resembling metal.
Ceramics
One of the most widely used coffee cup materials that comes in a variety of shapes is ceramic. There’s not much debate about the best material for coffee cups because there’s always one winner, and that’s ceramic. The inert nature of ceramics does not affect the flavor of coffee.
Ceramic materials also have the ability to retain heat quite well.
Ceramic mugs are durable, easy to clean, and come in a variety of styles and colors to suit your coffee drinking experience.
Not only the ingredients, but the shape also affects the flavor
Not only the material of the coffee cup can affect the perception of the flavor of the coffee we enjoy. However, according to studies, the shape of the glass can affect the perception of coffee flavor. There are various shapes of cups for enjoying coffee, such as a pointed surface, a wide mouth, and a short one.
Cups that have a tapered surface shape tend to give the perception of a more aromatic coffee flavor . On the one hand, coffee cups that have a wide cup mouth give the perception of bitter and strongflavors.
When we drink coffee, there is an area between the mouth of the glass and the liquid, called “headspace“. Coffee connoisseurs are well aware of the headspace, it helps them to inhale the aroma of the coffee they enjoy. This aroma is always a topic to discuss with other coffee lovers, what the aroma is like, and so on.
That is why the use of a coffee cup should be “taller” than the volume of coffee contained in the cup. If the glass used is not higher than the volume of the coffee, there is no “headspace” area, so it becomes very difficult to inhale the aroma of the coffee.
Glass color can affect the psychology of coffee drinkers
The color of the glass can affect the perception of the flavor of the coffee. This is because color can affect the psychology and perception of coffee drinkers. A study suggests that coffee in a white cup is perceived to be more “strong” than coffee in a transparent cup.
White cups can increase the perception that the coffee in the cup is more bitter. This is because the white color is able to give the impression of a deep brown color. The brown color itself can give coffee lovers a “bitter” perception.
Conclusion
Do you already know the type of coffee cup material that you will use to enjoy your favorite coffee? Various materials, such as plastic, ceramic, glass, and paper have different resistance to heat. From this nature, it is able to change the perception of theflavor of the coffee inside.
Not only the material, but the shape of the glass and the color can help give the perception of the flavor ofthe coffee you are enjoying. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to how you perceive the flavor of your coffee, but while you can enjoy your coffee without any distractions, choose the material, cup shape and color you want. When it comes to flavor, everyone has their own preferences.
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