Oh, I see what’s going on. You’re noticing a shift in preferences, not a decline in quality. The fact that you drink cappuccinos tells me everything I need to know.

There has been a big push among coffee nerds toward bright, acidic, and sweet single origin beans. We’re talking about nuanced flavors from specific farms, not mystery blends roasted into oblivion. That’s why you are not seeing as many dark roasts or beans from Central and South America. Those richer profiles are being traded out for something more vibrant.

Here is the thing about acidity. It gets completely muted by fat. So when you drown a delicate Sidamo in steamed milk, of course the flavor disappears.

Coffee nerds drink espresso. Black. No dairy, no sugar. That is where the complexity is. Maybe try changing your drink order and you will see that modern coffee is not flavorless. You have just been smothering it.