What the heck is terroir?
Our local wine Industry heavily influences our approach to coffee.
TLDR: Terroir is a french term often associated with wine that refers to environmental, agricultural and geographic factors that influence the flavour of agricultural products. The rise of specialty coffee and an increased interest in the more nuanced and unique flavours found in coffee has lead to this term being used more in the coffee world. Stay tuned throughout the month of March for a deep dive into Terroir!
You've probably heard the phrase "terroir" before if you like coffee. So what does it mean exactly, and how does it influence the coffee you drink? The team at Acreage Coffee are devoted to specialty coffee and understanding the various aspects that contribute to its distinct flavours. This is partly why our motto is ‘specialty coffee, down to earth’, that refers to our attitudes and customer service but also the fact that the quality of our coffee is only as good as the agricultural production of it. That's why we're delighted to launch a new blog series delving into the concept of terroir in coffee. In this piece, we'll start with the fundamentals: what is terroir and how does it affect coffee flavour? We reckon this post will improve your understanding of the intricacy and diversity of specialty coffee, whether you're a seasoned barista or simply someone who enjoys a great quality brew.
Terroir is a French phrase that refers to the environmental conditions that influence a crop's flavour and quality. At Acreage we are blessed to live and work amongst the beautiful vineyards of Mudgee. Having such a close connection with the wine industry has shown us how similarly you can approach coffee and wine. While terroir is most usually linked with wine, it may be applied to any agricultural product, including coffee. Terroir in coffee refers to a variety of environmental and geographical elements such as soil, climate, altitude, and others. These elements have a significant impact on the flavour, aroma, acidity, and balance of coffee beans. Coffee cultivated at high altitudes, for example, has a brighter acidity and a more nuanced flavour profile, whereas coffee grown at lower altitudes may be sweeter and more full-bodied. Understanding the role of terroir in coffee is essential for anyone who wants to appreciate the unique flavours and characteristics of different coffee varieties.
When it comes to coffee, terroir is an important factor in defining the flavour of the beans. Because of their particular terroir, each place where coffee is cultivated has a distinct flavour character. Ethiopian coffee, for example, is noted for its fruity and floral aromas, whilst Colombian coffee is known for being more full-bodied and nutty. The complex interaction of numerous environmental factors like soil type, climate, altitude, and rainfall all contribute to the ultimate flavour of the coffee. With terroir having such a big impact on the flavour of coffee it’s crucial that coffee aficionados, baristas and roasters have a thorough understanding of it. Your local barista in a cafe near you, should have a solid knowledge of terroir to make informed choices about the beans they use and how best to prepare them to bring out their unique flavour profile.
Terroir is absolutely crucial for coffee roasters when it comes to selecting the right beans for their clients. If a roaster wants to make a coffee with a bright, lemony acidity, they might opt for beans grown at higher altitudes, where cooler temperatures result in slower cherry ripening, resulting in a more nuanced and complex flavour. Similarly, if a roaster desires a coffee with a rich, full-bodied flavour, he or she may use beans grown in low-altitude places with warmer weather. The knowledge of terroir allows roasters to create a diverse range of flavour profiles for their customers to enjoy.
Terroir is an absolutely crucial topic in specialty coffee. Coffee lovers and baristas can gain more enjoyment of the intricacies and complexities of the coffee they drink by studying the environmental elements that contribute to the unique flavour profiles of their beans. Terroir heavily influences the choice of beans that a roaster will buy, which in turn influences the taste of the coffee that our customers enjoy. This post serves as an introduction for a series of posts throughout the month of March discussing Terroir. We hope you’ll check back in for a more indepth look at specific factors that lead to a great tasting brew in the cup for you.
To learn more about Terroir, Barista Hustle just released an entire book on it! Grab it from our friend, world class roaster, Scott Rao’s website here - https://www.scottrao.com/