Tasting Notes

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Tasting notes is very simple. The world is full of awesome coffees but a lot of times they are presented in inaccessible ways. Tasting notes aims to review incredible coffees in a way that everybody can understand, while adding bits of information that will help people understand and appreciate coff…

Matthew Novak


    • Jun 6, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 20m AVG DURATION
    • 78 EPISODES

    5 from 43 ratings Listeners of Tasting Notes that love the show mention: coffee, easy, informative, learn, best, fun, listen.



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    Latest episodes from Tasting Notes

    076 - New Orleans Coffee Jog!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2022 17:43


    Season 2 starts right where we left off! The boys are back to say dumb stuff and talk about smart coffee. This time it's a recap of a trip to New Orleans!For coffee run map check out: https://www.strava.com/activities/7017313270

    075 - Tectonic Coffee - Colombia Las Pinas

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2021 11:01


    Matt & Aaron drink more coffee this time from Tectonic Coffee - A roast from Colombia Las pinas

    074 - KAHWAH 1893 - Kenya

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2021 9:05


    Matt & Aaron get the band back together and sip on some Kahawa 1893 Kenyan coffee. Kahawa is a SF based  woman-owned coffee roaster with an awesome mission. Check them out at  https://kahawa1893.com/

    States of Decaf - INTERVIEW Kait Brown - Savorista Coffee

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2020 39:40


    Jon Meharg and Kait Brown have a calndestine meeting in a park somewhere in Ohio to discuss decaf, a low Caf business model and a whole bunch more!Check out everything Savorista is doing at https://savoristacoffee.com/pages/our-storyAlso don't forget to sign up for our Friday Newsletter at StatesofCoffee.com

    073 - Chilmark Ethiopia + Bonus Election Content

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2020 19:53


    Matt & Aaron sip on some fruity Ethiopian coffee from Chilmark and talk about the upcoming election.http://www.chilmarkcoffeeco.com/coffee.html

    072 - On-Location - Paper Plane Coffee Co.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2020 23:48


    Matt & Aaron are joined by Paper Plane Coffee Co. Own Jonathan Echeverry where their trio discusses reopening amid COVID-19, getting back on their feet, and general tom-foolery.Buy coffee from Jon at:  https://www.paperplanecoffee.com/Sign up for our newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/b2f5eaa0b6fa/usoc

    STATES OF DECAF ep 01 - An Introduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2020 18:53


    Matt & Jon kick off a new chapter in The United States of Coffee history. Launching States of Decaf to serve those of us who are lightening or cutting their caffeine consumption totally.  If you find this  show useful share it with a friend!

    071 - CXFFEE BLACK - Guji Mane + A States update

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2020 10:48


    Matt gives a State of States address and sips on some truly tasty Ethiopian coffee from CXFFEEBLACK

    070 - Patrick Janelle - #DailyCortado Origins

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2020 44:09


    Matt catches up with his old friend Patrick Janelle and the two discuss their personal coffee history and the origin story of one of our favorite hashtags: #DailyCortadoRead in his own words, Patrick's story here: https://www.agnp.co/articles/daily-cortadoSign up for our Email Newsletter orFind us on Instagram!

    069 - Russell Crawford Almanac Coffee - Roasting Coffee During a Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2020 25:32


    BONUS - Corona Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2020 1:52


    Hey! We're still here, and we miss you!

    067 - Special Covid-19 Report - Jonathan Echeverry

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2020 19:05


    CDC Website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.htmlTo purchase coffee from Paper Plane head to: https://www.paperplanecoffee.com/ Be sure to use code word: BETTERSAFETHANSORRY for free shippingcall our Covid-19 tip hotline at: (862) 801-0695‬

    066 - Special Covid-19 Report - Juandy Torres

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2020 21:30


    CDC Website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.htmlReach Juandy via their cafe's instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/soyavecafe/ or reach them at avecafes@gmail.comcall our Covid-19 tip hotline at: (862) 801-0695‬ 

    065 - Onyx Coffee Lab - COLOMBIA INMACULADA EUGENIOIDES

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2020 22:19


    Purchase Tickets for What is Next HereMatt and Mike get their first taste of Eugenioides! This coffee is rare, and low-yield and awesome. Don't sleep on it if you get the chance. Check out more information on the onyx site

    064 - Sey Coffee - Sierra Morena - Jose Alba

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2020 18:26


    First, go buy some tickets for our live event! Matt and Mike drink from one of their favorite local roasters Sey Coffee. Everythign from Sey blows our minds, and this pink bourbon doesn't dissapoint. You shoudl pick up anything from them on their website.

    063 - Tinker Coffee Co - Shatnawene Ethiopia

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2020 16:45


    First, go buy some tickets for our live event! Matt and Mike Drink some long-awaited Tinker Coffee Co Coffee! This is, year in and year out, one of our favorite coffees and it was cool to get to finally try something from Tinker. Check them out here

    062 - Brioso - Finca Rumania El Salvador

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2020 18:34


    First, go buy some tickets for our live event! Matt and Mike drink coffee that Jon brought back from Brioso - on the natch. This natural processed coffee has a few surprises up its sleeve and word from Jon is that this cafe is TOP NOTCH. Check them out here

    061 - Blueprint Coffee - Las Moritas

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2020 15:42


    More coffee from the midwest! Blueprint coffee rips a tasty las moritas which Matt and Mike enjoy very much. Check out blueprint here: https://blueprintcoffee.com/Buy Tickets for our coffee party in Portland here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-is-next-a-live-coffee-podcast-expo-2020-celebration-tickets-95530685853

    060 - Rise Coffee - Zambia - Mafinga Hills

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2020 14:27


    Matt & Mike talk about Jon's trip through the midwest while we sip on a roast from Rise Coffee in St. Louis .You can buy THIS coffee here: https://risecoffeestl.com/shop/zambia  

    059 - Pine Coffee Supply - Mexico Santa Maria

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2020 14:20


    Matt and Mike drink a Mexican coffee roasted by Pine Coffee Supply that has some serious wow power.Check out more of Pine Coffee Supply at: https://pinecoffeesupply.com/ 

    058 - Texas to New Jersey and all the cortados in between

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2020 30:34


    Matt sits down with friend-of-the-pod, filmmaker Jon Meharg to discuss his recent move from Texas to NJ and his missions to drink decaf cortados in as many states as possible along the way.Shops visited:DichotomyCultivarRise CoffeeBriosoTinkerBlueprintand many many more 

    057 - Anchorhead Coffee - Kenya Peaberry

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2020 11:41


    Mike & Matt brew up some Kenyan Peaberry roasted by Anchorhead Coffee in Seattle Washington.You can buy some of this coffee here: https://anchorheadcoffee.com/collections/all/products/costa-rica-el-cedral

    056 - 1000 Faces Coffee - Worka Sakaro

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2020 11:15


    Matt and Mike talk about this very tasty everyday drinker from 1000 faces in Athens, Ga For this episode we drank their roast of an Ethiopian Worka SakaroYou can find out more about 1000 Faces here:  https://www.1000facescoffee.com/ 

    055 - Huckleberry Roasters - Isreal Hernandez - Gesha

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2020 8:57


    Mike and Matt drink some delicious Gesha that mike return from Colorado with. This coffee is a real tasty treat - not as vibrant as some other geshas we've had but also not as tame.It can be purchased here: https://huckleberryroasters.com/collections/frontpage/products/colombia-israel-hernandez-gesha

    054 - Coffee on the Front Range: A Colorado Recap

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2020 28:27


    Mike and Matt talk about Mike's recent trip to Colorado and all the amazing coffee he consumed while he was out there.1. Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters Arvada, CO2. Boxcar Coffee Roasters Boulder, CO3. Middle State Coffee Denver, CO4. Crema Coffee House Denver, CO5. Huckleberry Roasters Denver, CO6. Harbinger Coffee Fort Collins, CO7. Dark Heart Coffee Bar Loveland, CO

    053 - Mod Cup - Mother Ethiopia Box Set

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2019 17:07


    Matt & Mike cup Mod Cup's Mother Ethiopia box set! Thanks so much to Mod Cup for sending this gift along. We cupped these two coffees using the SCA cupping guidelines. Buy this coffee set here: https://modcup.com/product/ethiopia-hambella-box-set/

    052 - Parlor Coffee - Los Angeles

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2019 10:52


    Matt & Mike chat about Parlor coffee's Los Angeles roastcheck out more of their stuff here: https://parlorcoffee.com/

    051-Lost Sock Coffee Roasters - Finca Pompea

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2019 9:06


    Matt & Mike chat about the D.C. based coffee roaster Lost Sock and their roast of Finca Pompea, a Guatemalan coffee.Find out more about lost sock here: https://lostsockroasters.com/  

    050 - Unity Sourcing & Roasting - Natural Geisha

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2019 14:53


    Matt and Mike talk about a tasty Natural Geisha roasted by Unity souricing and roasting. More can be found out about their operation here: https://www.unity.coffee/

    049 - Mid-Atlantic Road Trip Recap

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2019 45:18


    Matt and Aaron talk about their trip up and down the mid-Atlantic region. They discuss Aaron's infected eyeball, and how Matt survived the rest of the trip alone.Places & LinksElixr Coffee - https://elixrcoffee.com/Rival Bros. - https://rivalbros.com/Astro Doughnuts - http://astrodoughnuts.com/The Cup We All Race 4 - InstagramPear Plum Café - https://www.pearplumcafe.com/Compass Coffee - https://compasscoffee.com/Call Your Mother Deli - https://www.callyourmotherdeli.com/

    048 - Chris Mcauley of GetChuSomeGear

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2019 41:11


    Matt and Chris talk about Getchusomegear and its origins. We get a little bit into what they're defining as marginalized groups they're trying to reach as well as the how and why of how this all got started!Get in touch with Chris on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/getchusomegear/?hl=en

    047 - Ben Carlson - on starting Long Miles Coffee Project

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2019 48:21


    Matt talks to Ben about how he and his family started Long Miles Coffee Project. Including: How it even happens, turning years of failure into a great success, how to remain positive in spite of poor  outcomes and grenades getting chucked at his processing facility.Learn more about Long Miles at: http://www.longmilescoffeeproject.com/or visit their instagram feed at: https://www.instagram.com/longmilescoffee/

    046 - Roaster Interview - Cody Fergusson Apex Coffee Roasters

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2019 42:51


    Matt Talks with Cody Fergusson of Apex Coffee Roasters in Waco Tx. They chat about Cody's recent q-grader certification as well as the growing coffee scene in Waco Texas.Check out Apex here: https://www.apexcoffeeroasters.com/ 

    045 - Coffee Sustainability with Kim Elena Ionescu

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2019 74:23


    Matt talk with Kim Elena Lonescu of the SCA about coffee sustainability . Topics covered include what sustainable actually means, is the coffee industry sustainable as it stands right now, what if anything should we be doing to even the profit distributions in the coffee supply chain, and things that are threatening the coffee industry. Its a long one but a good one! Learn more about SCA's new sustainability program here: https://sca.coffee/education/programs/coffee-sustainability-program

    044 - Sump Coffee - Ethiopia Bensa Kokosa

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2019 11:28


    Matt and Mike drink Sump's Ethiopia Bensa Kokosa, and talk about future and past tenses. Giddy up.Buy this coffee here: https://www.sumpcoffee.com/products/ethiopia-bensa-kokosa-8-oz 

    043 - Square Mile Coffee Roasters - Ethiopia Nano Challa

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2019 9:05


    Matt and Mike drink some coffee! That coffee is from Square Mile Coffee Roasters and you can find them on the internet right here: https://shop.squaremilecoffee.comAlso, if you're interested in trying new coffees AND you want to support the podcast Check out Angel's cup using this link and purchase a subscription box!

    042- INTERVIEW: James Hoffmann

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2019 38:27


    Matt talks with former barista World Champion, coffee book author and beloved YouTuber James Hoffmann about his recent endeavor, the world's largest coffee tasting. The two chat about logistics, how it went and a touch on the the coffee supply chain. Enjoy!Buy James' book hereCheck out Square Mile Coffee HereCheck out James' Youtube channel here

    041 - Spectrum Coffees - Karimikui - Kenya

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2019 8:37


    Matt & Mike talk about Spectrum Coffees roast of this tasty Kenyan coffeeCheck out Spectrum here: https://www.spectrumcoffees.com

    040 - Adam From Tared & Caffeinated - Ruby Roasters

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2019 26:50


    Matt Talks with Adam from Tared & Caffeinated about midwest coffee. They sip on Some Ruby Roasters coffee and chat informally about the state of The midwest coffee scene and some local recs!

    039 - Abbey Coffee Co - Ethiopia Jimma

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2019 15:03


    Matt sits down with good friend Jon Meharg and they talk about Caffeine, Abbey Coffee Co, and Korean 'sweet potato snack'Find Abbey Coffee Co Coffee here: https://squareup.com/store/the-abbey-coffee-coSign up for our email list here: http://statesofcoffee.com/

    038 - James Hoffmann's World-wide Cupping Event

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2019 66:56


    Matt & Mike try to figure out how to make a podcast of James Hoffmann's World's Largest Coffee Tasting Event! NOTES: There was some audio recording issues due to multiple computers running and maybe a background app - the issue has been noted, and while the 'popping' is annoying we felt like there was still some value in sharing this. Additionally, the broadcast of the cupping is a recording of the live feed, and while we did not get written confirmation to use this audio we feel like James would be ok with it. Here's a link to the original kickoff video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5uCK3OhlKM and you can buy coffee at: https://shop.squaremilecoffee.com Cheers!

    037 - Umeko Motoyoshi - Umeshiso/Wasting Coffee

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2019 73:07


    Matt chats with Umeko Motoyoshi of Wasting Coffee and Rainbow Cupping Spoon Fame! We go deep on this episode about a lot of things: How Umeshiso and Wasting Coffee came to be Subjective Objectivity Rainbow Spoons Power Dynamics Personal Influence on taste Binary thinking Poking fun at tasting notes Wasting Coffee Find out more at the following links: Buy Cool Stuff: https://umeshiso.com Follow along on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/umeshiso_/?hl=en Wasting Coffee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wastingcoffee/?hl=en Places Umeko Reccs in the Podcast: Lüna Coffee: https://enjoylunacoffee.com The Peccary: https://www.instagram.com/the_peccary/ Grand Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/grandcoffee/ The Crown: https://royalcoffee.com/the-crown/

    036 - Summer Bummer #GibsAllDay - Looking Ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2019 18:09


    In this episode, Aaron and Matt discuss nothing of much importance but do implore you to start using the #gibsallday hashtag for all your Gibraltar and Cortado photos. As well as give you a look ahead at what's coming up for States of Coffee. Sin up for email updates at StatesOfCoffee.com

    035 - Metric Coffee - Peru David Flores Lot 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2019 12:29


    Matt & Aaron talk about Metric Coffee & Chicago and some other stuff! You can buy this coffee here: https://metriccoffee.com/collections/all-coffees/products/peru-david-flores-lot-2 You can also get half off some metric and other coffees at drinktrade.com by using the code word mattjnovak

    034 - Interview - Brandon Grimilia - 403 Broad

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2019 28:56


    Matt talks on location to Head Chef Brandon Grimilia of 403 Broad. They talk about reanimator coffee, what it means to have a full service restaurant start a coffee program and PIZZA. Check out more about 403 at http://403broad.com/

    033 - Roaster Interview _ Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2019 36:30


    Matt talks with Drew & Steve from Blanchard's Coffee Roasting who have an interesting perspective, roasting in Virginia. We talking coffee, branding cafes and more! https://blanchardscoffee.com/

    032 - B&W Roasters - Abelino Vera - Pink Bourbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2019 7:38


    Matt Aaron & Doug drink some Abelino Vera beans from Black and White Roasters, a highly regarded roaster from North Carolina. Buy B&W Coffee here: https://www.blackwhiteroasters.com/ Find us and more coffee recs at: https://www.instagram.com/statesofcoffee/

    031 - Sweetbloom Coffee Roasters - Gesha

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2019 9:29


    Aaron, Doug, and Matt get silly and chat about Sweetbloom's Roast of a tasty Gesha. Some talk about tank tops and coffee fatigue occur as well as Aaron's recent trip to Denver. https://sweetbloomcoffee.com/

    30 - Birdrock Roasters - Gahahe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2019 8:00


    WE'RE BACK!!! Mike & Matt sip on some tasty birdrock roaster coffee from Burundi! Check out Birdrock here: https://www.birdrockcoffee.com/ And our youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl3PymkEnB5exo_YCe73EPg

    029 - Roaster Interview - Chris Alspach - Upper Left Roasters

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2019 38:06


    Matt talks with the head roaster and green buyer, Chris Alspach from Upper Left Roasters. They chat about Chris's East Coast roots, what its like moving to Portland to get into coffee and some of his favorite places. Learn more about upper left at: https://upperleftroasters.com/

    028 - LA Recap - Go Get Em Tiger

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2019 11:38


    Aaron & Matt discuss his recent trip to LA and the sip on some GGET Miguel Sanchez brew among other things. Buy their coffee here: https://gget.com/coffee

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