For many coffee enthusiasts, part of the fun is trying out the spectrum of flavor profiles that specialty coffee has to offer. It may take some time and experience to recognize the nuances in coffee, and a good way to refine your palate is through coffee cupping. Cupping helps you appreciate the flavors, aromas, and overall characteristics that make each coffee unique. But like any tasting process, there’s an art and etiquette to it. To help you make the most of every session, we’ve rounded up a few do’s and don’ts to guide your next cupping experience.
READ ALSO: How To Use a Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel
What Is Coffee Cupping?
Coffee cupping is a standardized method for evaluating coffee quality. The beans are ground to a medium-to-coarse consistency, then hot water (around 95–97°C for rested beans and below 90°C for freshly roasted beans) is poured over them to begin a four-minute extraction. Essentially, it’s a way of brewing coffee in its purest form, allowing you to compare and contrast different kinds of coffee. The coffee is tasted at various stages of cooling to reveal layers of flavor and aroma that evolve over time.
Aside from being a tool for coffee enthusiasts to improve their palate, coffee businesses also use it to identify flavor profiles, detect defects, and assess overall quality of the beans.
The Do’s of Coffee Cupping
1. Do smell your coffee.
Before tasting, take time to smell your coffee. Its aroma can also reveal a lot about its flavor profile, whether it’s fruity, nutty, floral, or earthy.
2. Do take notes.
Use a cupping form or notebook to jot down your impressions, including aroma, body, acidity, sweetness, and aftertaste. Writing it down helps you remember and compare coffees objectively.
3. Do slurp (loudly!).
It might feel awkward at first, but slurping helps aerate the coffee and spread it across your palate so you can taste all the flavors. If you want to avoid too much caffeine or any acidic side effects, you can spit the coffee into a spitting cup.
4. Do take a second slurp.
Each slurp reveals a new layer of the coffee’s profile. On the first sip, pay attention to its flavor, acidity, and body. With the next, try to recall any familiar tastes or references that resemble what you just experienced.
5. Do cleanse your palate.
Drink water between tastings to avoid flavor carryover. Some also use plain crackers to reset their taste buds.
A cupping session at the Plain Sight HQ.
The Don’ts of Coffee Cupping
1. Don’t wear strong scents.
Perfume, lotion, or even flavored lip balm can interfere with the experience. Coffee cupping relies heavily on smell, so it’s best to keep your environment neutral.
2. Don’t rush the process.
Cupping involves tasting the coffee at different stages, as flavor perception changes as the coffee cools. Take your time to observe how the profile evolves from hot to warm to room temperature.
3. Don’t share your insights too soon.
It’s best to keep initial impressions to yourself until everyone has finished tasting. This prevents bias and keeps the evaluation authentic.
4. Don’t overfill your spoon.
You only need a small amount for each taste. A gentle slurp will do, no need to gulp down the whole sample.
5. Don’t forget to clean your tools.
Always rinse your spoon between cups to avoid cross-contamination of flavors.
What People Have To Say About our Coffee Cupping Workshops
Want to try your hand at cupping with your newfound etiquette tips? Join us for your next coffee cupping session at our Coffee Tasting & Cupping Workshop! It’s a comprehensive and hands-on workshop that lets you broaden your understanding of coffee flavors and sharpen your palate. You’ll also get familiar with the tools used in cupping, learn how to read the Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel, and get a refresher on the do’s and don’ts of cupping etiquette you just learned in this article.
@plainsightcoffee You don’t need to be a coffee expert to do a cupping—just curiosity and an open mind. It’s a fun and relaxed way to explore flavors! Never tried it? You’re exactly who it’s for. Book your first tasting at plainsight.coffee—we’ll guide you every step of the way. #CoffeeInPlainSight #cupping #coffeetasting #musttry #dateideas #coffeelover #workshops #mandaluyongcity ♬ オリジナル楽曲 - R&B SOURCE - R&B SOURCE｜洋楽紹介
