Keeping a coffee journal is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to develop your tasting skills. Whether you’re trying different roasts, brewing methods, or even experimenting with green coffee at home, a journal helps you make sense of it all. It turns your morning routine into something a bit more thoughtful and gives you a way to track what works and what doesn’t.
You don’t need to be a coffee expert to start one. A notebook, a phone app, or even a spreadsheet will do the trick. What matters most is that you record what you’re tasting and how you got there. Over time, you’ll build up a personal guide to your favourite coffees and the best ways to enjoy them.
Why a Journal is Worth It
If you’re the kind of person who loves trying new coffees, it can be hard to remember what stood out about each one. Maybe a Kenyan bean had a juicy brightness you loved, or a dark roast felt a bit flat with your usual brew method. Without some sort of log, these small discoveries can easily be forgotten.
That’s where a journal helps. It lets you reflect on each cup and spot patterns you might not notice otherwise. It’s especially useful if you’re roasting your own green coffee, since it gives you a clear record of what roast levels or methods led to the best results.
Even if you’re just trying different beans and methods for fun, the process of writing it all down adds something extra to the experience. It makes each brew a little more meaningful and encourages you to keep improving.
What to Include
There’s no fixed format for a coffee journal, so you can shape it to suit your preferences. That said, there are a few key things worth noting down:
Date: Always start with the date so you can keep track of how your tastes change or how fresh the beans were at the time.
Coffee details: Write down the name, origin and roaster if you know it. If you’ve roasted green coffee yourself, include the roast profile, temperature, and time.
Brew method and equipment: Note whether you used a French press, pour-over, moka pot, or anything else. Include your kettle temperature, brew time, and even the water if you’re feeling precise.
Grind size: This can have a significant effect on flavour, so it’s worth jotting down the setting you used, especially if you plan to repeat the brew.
Aroma: What does the coffee smell like when dry and once brewed? You might pick up on chocolate, berries, nuts or floral notes.
Acidity: This refers to the brightness of the coffee. Some have a crisp, citrusy edge, while others feel softer or richer.
Body and mouthfeel: Think about how the coffee feels. Is it light and tea-like, or thick and creamy? Is the texture smooth or gritty?
Flavour notes: Try to be specific. Instead of just saying “fruity”, consider whether it tastes like an apple, a cherry, or a mango. Don’t worry if your descriptions feel basic at first—they’ll improve with practice.
Your overall impression: This is the bit where you can be honest with yourself. Did you enjoy it? Would you tweak anything next time? Would you recommend it to someone else?
Keep It Simple and Consistent
Your journal should be something you enjoy using. If it starts to feel like a chore, try trimming it down. You don’t need to write a full page every time. A few bullet points can be just as useful.
If you’re more into digital tools, you could create a basic form on your phone or use one of the many apps designed for coffee tasting. Some people like to include photos of the bag or their brewing set-up. Others prefer to stick to words and numbers. Either way works.
The important thing is consistency. The more entries you make, the more useful your journal becomes. You’ll start to recognise which origins you prefer, what brew methods suit them best, and how little changes—like grind size or water temperature—can bring out completely different results.
A Personal Guide to Better Coffee
A coffee tasting journal isn’t just for professionals or home roasters. It’s for anyone who wants to understand and enjoy their coffee a bit more. You don’t need fancy equipment or a perfect palate to get started. All it takes is a bit of curiosity and the habit of writing things down.
Even if you only make notes once a week, you’ll be surprised how much you learn. You’ll waste less time repeating mistakes and spend more time enjoying better cups of coffee. Whether you’re brewing shop-bought beans, testing out local roasters or playing around with green coffee in your garage, a tasting journal helps you enjoy the journey and make every cup count.