What does "residual sweetness" refer to in coffee tasting?

Residual sweetness is a key concept in coffee tasting that refers to the sweet aftertaste that lingers on the palate after swallowing a sip of coffee. This characteristic can indicate a well-balanced cup, as it suggests that the coffee has pleasant sugary notes that persist beyond the initial flavor experience.

When tasting coffee, the complexity of flavors can evolve, and the residual sweetness often enhances the overall enjoyment by providing a satisfying finish. It can be attributed to the natural sugars found in coffee beans, which are influenced by various factors such as the origin of the beans, the roasting process, and brewing method.

The other options do not capture this essence of taste. The initial sweetness before brewing pertains to the unbrewed state of the coffee, which does not consider the tasting experience post-sipping. The lack of sweetness would suggest a completely different tasting profile, and sweetness in the coffee grounds would not relate to what the drinker experiences in terms of aftertaste. Residual sweetness is specifically about the lingering flavors after the coffee has been consumed, which is why it is recognized as an important aspect of coffee tasting.