• Question: What beverage(s) do you usually rate?

Answer: I usually opt for a non-dairy milk latte.

  • Question: How do you rate each coffee shop?

Answer: I usually have five key areas of focus:

  1. Taste: I opt for almond/non-dairy milk because of taste preferences (I'm not vegan). The best baristas are those who can steam the almond milk so well that it does NOT taste bitter; in addition, if the almond/non-dairy milk is really good and if the milk is steamed properly, I should not need to add sugar. There should be a natural sweetness to it.
  2. Creaminess: I LOVE it when the espresso and the steamed milk become one haha. When the barista blends the almond/non-dairy milk properly, it should develop a natural creaminess and after the beverage is consumed, there should be a layer of creamy foam; I LOVE devouring this!
  3. Presentation: Latte art rocks...I LOVE when cute flowers, leaves, or other unique pictures are poured into my latte.  I know this is harder to do with almond milk, but I appreciate it when the barista knows his/her stuff and makes it happen.
  4. Ambiance: I like bright and open coffee spots with a hint of an Urban Contemporary vibe. The ambiance is really key here with coffee shops. In addition, other perks like free secured WiFi are also great additional comps.
  5. Service: Now, let's be honest. There are great coffee shops with terrible service. I LOVE when the barista gets to know me, especially if I come in a lot. I also like when the barista can answer questions or give me some recs when I ask. Good service is the icing on the cake for me.

If all of the above criteria are 5/5, the coffee shop receives a 5/5; if not, I adjust the rating accordingly. 

  • Question: How do you rate coffee beans?
  • Answer: I look for two criteria: aroma and taste
  1. Aroma: I love when the coffee has a very strong aroma of the flavors that it represents; if there is bitterness or not much scent, the coffee beans may be old or the beans may not taste very good.
  2. Taste: I love coffee that has fruitier notes or just flavor variability.  This is just a preference so when I rate the coffee beans, as long as they have bold flavor and brew well, I will usually rate the beans well.