Finish (aftertaste)

Aftertaste, or finish, is the collection of flavors that lingers in your mouth long after you have swallowed a sip of coffee. In high-quality beans, this sensation can last anywhere from a few minutes to a quarter of an hour, evolving as time goes on. You might experience bright fruit notes at first, which then gently shift into sweeter tones like chocolate or toasted nuts. A clean, pleasant aftertaste is one of the clearest signs that the barista executed the brew correctly and that the green coffee was carefully processed by the farmer. Interestingly, professional coffee judges at championships evaluate not just the immediate flavors while drinking, but also how long and how gracefully the coffee stays with your palate.