Test Your Coffee Knowledge: 9 Facts Every Coffee Drinker Should Know

Ever wondered if your coffee storage method is ruining your beans? Or how many scoops you really need for a proper cup? These are the kind of questions that separate casual coffee drinkers from those who really know their brew. Whether you're brewing daily or just curious, here are the straight answers backed by facts — no fluff, no folklore.

Quick answer: Store daily-use coffee beans in an airtight glass container at room temperature (not the fridge or freezer), use about 2 tablespoons (1 standard coffee scoop) of ground coffee for 170ml of water, and yes — light roast coffee actually has slightly more caffeine than dark roast by weight, though the difference is small.

Coffee Storage: Where Should You Keep Your Beans?

If you’re brewing coffee every day, proper storage makes a big difference. The best place to keep your coffee beans is in a glass container at room temperature, sealed tightly to limit air exposure. Avoid the refrigerator or freezer — both can introduce moisture and cause flavor degradation. The correct answer is: C. Glass container (room temperature), ensuring the beans are in an airtight vessel.

How Much Coffee per Cup? The Golden Ratio

For a standard 170ml (about 6 oz) cup of coffee, the typical recommendation is around 2 tablespoons of ground coffee. That’s roughly one standard coffee scoop. This aligns with common brew ratios used in specialty coffee for balanced extraction. So the correct answer is: B. 2 (2 tablespoons).

Popular Coffee Drinks: Names & Ingredients

Some coffee drinks are famous for their unique ingredients. One example is the mocha, which combines Italian espresso, chocolate syrup, steamed milk, and often whipped cream. That makes the correct answer: D. (Mocha). Other drinks like cappuccino or Americano have different recipes and compositions.

Coffee Bean Basics: Roast Levels & Terminology

Before roasting, raw coffee beans are known as green beans — but in Chinese coffee discussions, they’re often called (shēng dòu), which translates directly as “raw beans” or “unroasted beans.” The correct term among the options is: B. (lǜ dòu), though the accurate English term is “green coffee bean” or simply “raw bean.”

Coffee Myths: Debunked

• Light vs Dark Roast Caffeine: It’s often said that lighter roasts have more caffeine than darker ones. Factually, on a per-bean basis, lighter roasts retain marginally more caffeine, though the difference is negligible in a brewed cup. So the statement is technically true.
• Espresso Caffeine Content: A single shot of espresso does not contain the same amount of caffeine as a full 225ml (8 oz) cup of drip coffee. The espresso has more caffeine per volume, but less overall in that smaller serving. Therefore, the statement is false.
• Milk Foam Drink: A drink made with a shot of espresso and topped with steamed milk foam is indeed called a macchiato . That’s correct.

Espresso Crema: What Is That Brown Layer?

When you pull a well-made espresso shot, you’ll notice a thin, reddish-brown layer on top. That’s called crema — the emulsified oils and CO2 that form during extraction. The correct term from the options is: C. Crema. It’s a key indicator of a properly extracted espresso shot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to store coffee beans I use every day?

The best method is to keep them in an airtight glass container at room temperature, away from light, heat, and moisture. Do not store them in the fridge or freezer if you’re using them regularly, as temperature fluctuations and condensation can degrade freshness and flavor.

How many tablespoons of coffee should I use for 170ml of water?

For 170ml (about 6 fluid ounces) of water, use approximately 2 tablespoons (or one standard coffee scoop) of ground coffee. This is a standard brew ratio used to achieve balanced extraction in most drip or pour-over methods.

Is it true that light roast coffee has more caffeine than dark roast?

Yes, technically light roast coffee beans contain slightly more caffeine by weight than dark roast beans, because some caffeine is lost during longer roasting. However, the difference is very small and often negligible in the final brewed cup.

What’s the brown foam on top of a well-brewed espresso called?

That layer is called crema — a natural byproduct of the espresso extraction process, formed by emulsified coffee oils and carbon dioxide. It’s a sign of a properly extracted shot and contributes to aroma and texture.

What’s in a mocha coffee drink?

A mocha consists of espresso, chocolate syrup or chocolate milk, steamed milk, and often whipped cream. It’s essentially a blend of coffee and chocolate, different from cappuccino or latte.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Knowledge Tests

Test your palate with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe — bright with citrus and floral notes, perfect for exploring light roast profiles. For something richer, try their Guatemala Antigua, a classic medium roast with chocolate and spice. Or go deeper with their Sumatra Mandheling, known for its earthy, full-bodied profile. All are great for learning how roast levels affect flavor. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.