Coffee vs Wine: Similarities and Differences

For many individuals, taking an early morning cup of coffee is a part of their wake up routine, while for others, ending the day with a glass of wine is their wind down habit. Both entice our tastebuds and sense of smell in different ways but there are similarities between coffee and wine. When it comes to making a healthy choice, it's great for coffee or wine enthusiasts to understand the comparisons between the two.

Let's dive in!

3 Reasons People Love Coffee

Coffee is second only to water as the most popular drink. It's a complex beverage with many known health advantages. Here are three good reasons why people love coffee:

#1. Coffee has many health-related benefits

Coffee contains several nutrients and antioxidants that contribute to its many health-related benefits. Studies have shown that coffee consumption supports cardiovascular health and lowers the risk of certain neurodegenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

#2. Coffee increases productivity

Research shows that coffee increases alertness and improves the ability to concentrate. Drinking caffeinated coffee also boosts energy, reduces fatigue, and increases productivity and body metabolism. 

#3. Coffee has an enticing and appealing taste

The taste and flavor of coffee are enticing. This is one reason why one is addicted to the beverage. Aside from its soothing taste, the flavor also attracts and is attention-grabbing.

4 Similarities Between Coffee and Wine you Need to Know

#1. Both drinks are derived from plants and fruits

Both drinks are obtained from fruit, cherry and grape respectively. Coffee can be derived from cherries, while wine can be obtained from grapes.

Just like wine, coffee is also planted and harvested in different parts of the world. However, the two main varieties are Robusta and Arabica. Robusta contains caffeine at a higher rate and is mainly consumed in the Middle East, and Europe. In contrast, Arabica has a sweeter flavor and contains less acid. 

#2. Coffee and grape varieties originate from specific regions

The combination of factors like soil, climate, and sunlight gives coffee and grapes their distinctive character. Both crops grow in certain conditions that affect their final taste. The soil, climate, sunlight, slope, and altitude also contribute greatly to the final taste, and aroma of a coffee. This factor is the reason a coffee grown in North America tastes different from the same variety grown in Europe. 

#3. Processing and Production Are Similar

The processing and production of coffee and wine also share similarities. In both cases, the coffee cherries and the grapes undergo flavor-imparting production processes.

When grapes are plucked off the vine, they go through a series of stages in the winery before they are turned into wine. First, they are pressed, then fermented. The next stage for the grape is filtering and ageing. These steps contribute to the aroma and flavor of the wine.

Likewise coffee cherries, to bring out the aroma and flavor, undergo processing. After plucking the coffee cherries from the coffee plant, it goes through either washed or natural/dried processing methods to become a coffee bean. 

#4. Roasting and Barrel Ageing Phase Share Similar Purpose

The roasting stage for coffee is analogous to the barrel ageing process for wine. Both phases have few similarities but similar purposes, that is to determine flavor.

Coffee beans are roasted to develop hidden aromas and flavors. In the same vein, barrel ageing brings out the flavor and aroma of a wine. Hence, roasting and barrel ageing develop the flavor and aroma in coffee and wine respectively. 

Differences Between Coffee and Wine you Need to Discover

The difference between coffee and wine is not that much. The two notable ones are storage and final beverage preparation. 

Storage

Wine can be bottled and stored for a reasonable period, that is even years as long as it has not been opened. While coffee must be consumed within one and a half to two years after roasting. Although a Vacuum-sealed packaging coffee can be stored for a little longer, it is still not up to the lifespan of wine. Moreover, unlike coffee, wine gets better with age/years. 

Beverage preparation

Preparing coffee requires some sort of specialty, unlike wine. Baristas need to ground the coffee before brewing. Even when brewing, the coffee needs to be properly extracted. Baristas need time and skill when preparing coffee, just the same way a chef needs proper skills for cooking. But wine, on the other hand, the bottle just needs to be uncorked and then poured into a glass. It's that simple. Coffee preparation is a craft that needs expertise. 

Final Thoughts

No doubt, coffee and wine share many similarities, in terms of variety, processing and production. However, the similarities between these two drinks go beyond the 100-point scoring system. Moreover, they are still worlds apart in terms of storage and preparation. As a beverage enthusiast, consuming either coffee or wine could be part of a daily routine depending on one's preferences. 

 

Sources: [1] Michelin Guide Digital-Hong Kong Macau. Why Coffee And Wine Are More Similar Than You Think. Guide.Michelin.com [2] Robert Parker Wine Advocate. Coffee and Wine: How Your Two Favorite Beverages are Similar. Winejournal.RobertParker.com.