The Wirecutter Show A Beginner's Guide to Buying Better Coffee Beans
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Feb 20, 2026 Sum Ngai, co-founder of Coffee Project New York and certified Q-grader, shares approachable coffee expertise. He breaks down how tasting notes map to flavor, why whole beans beat pre-ground, and when to brew after roast. Short, practical guidance on reading labels, roast levels, and choosing beans by profile.
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Pick By Flavor Notes
- Check the flavor notes on the bag first to guide your choice and open yourself to different origins.
- Use tasting notes as impressions that point to likely flavor families rather than literal ingredients.
Roast Creates Familiar Flavor Compounds
- Roasting creates chemical compounds that remind you of other foods like chocolate or strawberry.
- Those shared compounds explain why coffee can evoke familiar flavors across different palates.
Calibrate Your Palate Together
- Calibrate your palate by smelling and tasting actual fruits, spices, and herbs together with others.
- Compare aroma, fragrance, and the five basic tastes to build a shared coffee lexicon.