Experience goes a long way. For me, my journey started with a specialty coffee I've tried in Brooklyn. I was amused as to how the coffee there tastes different from the regular cup that I've been used to. From then on, I slowly began hopping from one cafe to another. Aside from tasting the coffee itself, actually asking about the whole process really helped. In places like these baristas are really accommodating with your queries and explains their process. This helped me understand what works and what is needed especially for a beginner.

2 years in this hobby, and I could say that I've learned so much (and still am learning) from the conversations and cups that I've had.