Glossary
There are many terms and expressions in the coffee and tea world that may be difficult to understand to the novice. We have compiled a list of the most commonly used terms for you. Click a letter below....
Terms begining with 'D'
Decaffeination
Coffee with 97% caffeine removed is classified as decaffeinated.
Delicate
Related to mellow; characterized by a fragile, subtle flavor; perceived by the tip of the tongue. Found in washed Arabica coffees.
Demitasse
A French term meaning 'half cup' and also referred to as a small coffee cup.
Doppio
A double shot of espresso.
Double Dry Short
A double shot of espresso in a short cup with no foam.
Darjeeling
A tea growing area in North India on the foothills of the Himalaya Mountains. Teas grown here take their name from the area and are said to be the 'Champagne'of Indian teas. Grown at altitudes up to 7,000ft above sea level ( more than 1,291m) Darjeeling tea is known as a high-grown tea and is light in colouring with a delicate, muscatel flavour and aroma. The original tea planted in this area was grown from seeds and plants imported from China.
Dark
A dark or dull color that usually indicates poorer leaf quality.
Darrang
Tea growing district in Assam, North India.
Dehru Dun
A tea growing area in the Uttar Pradesh State, North-west India. Some 30 estates (most of them under 50 hectares) produce green and orthodox black leaf tea.
Dibrugarh
One of the seven tea growing districts in Assam. Dickoya Tea growing district on the central massif in Sri Lanka. Teas from this area are known as high grown teas and have a full astringent flavour.
Dimbula
Tea growing district just above Dickoya, which gives its name to a blend of Ceylon teas from this area and is also used in Ceylon blends. Dimbula teas are black and characterised by their full-bodied flavour.
Dooars
A tea growing region of North India just below the Himalaya Mountains which produce full-bodied coloury teas that are ideal for blending purposes.
Dry
Indicates slight over-firing or drying during manufacture of Tea.
Dull
Lacks brightness and usually denotes poor tea. Can be due to faulty making (manufacture) and firing or a high moisture content.
Depth Charge
Coffee, usually black, with a double shot of espresso added.