Coffee Cupping 101: A Q Grader's Guide to Tasting and Evaluating Coffee Beans

Coffee cupping is an essential practice in the industry, helping us understand the distinct characteristics of coffee beans and identify their unique flavor profiles. Let’s walk through the fundamentals of coffee cupping and tasting, providing detailed instructions on preparation and the evaluation process.

What is Coffee Cupping?

Coffee cupping is a standardized process used by coffee professionals to assess the quality, taste, and aroma of coffee beans. It involves brewing, smelling, and tasting coffee in a controlled environment, allowing us to identify the nuanced flavors, acidity, body, and aftertaste of each coffee sample.

Preparation:

To ensure a fair and accurate evaluation, it's essential to follow a consistent process and use the appropriate tools.

Here's what you'll need:

1. Freshly roasted coffee beans

2. A precision scale

3. A burr grinder

4. Cupping bowls (6-8 oz capacity, preferably glass or ceramic)

5. Cupping spoons (large, round-bowled spoons)

6. Hot water - just off the boil, around 200-205°F (or 93-96°C)

7. A timer

8. A spittoon or cup (for spitting out coffee)

9. A notepad or cupping form to record your observations
   
   

Cupping Process:

• Step 1: Weigh and Grind the Coffee Beans (preferably chaffless coffee)
  Weigh 8.25 grams of each coffee sample using a precision scale. Grind the beans using a burr grinder set to a medium-coarse setting, similar to the consistency of coarse sand. Place the ground coffee in individual cupping bowls, ensuring that the bowls are labeled or numbered to keep track of each sample.

• Step 2: Smell the coffee
  Start by smelling the dry grounds in each bowl. Take note of the aroma, intensity, and any distinct characteristics you can identify. This is the first opportunity to evaluate the coffee's fragrance and form initial impressions.

• Step 3: Add Hot Water
  Pour hot water (200-205°F/93-96°C) into each cupping bowl until it's full. Start your timer as soon as you begin pouring. The coffee-to-water ratio should be around 1:16 (8.25 grams of coffee to 150 ml of water). Allow the coffee to steep for 4 minutes.

• Step 4: Break the Crust
  After 4 minutes, it's time to "break the crust" that has formed on the surface of the coffee. Gently press down on the crust with your cupping spoon while leaning over the bowl to inhale the aroma. This process releases trapped gases and reveals the full range of coffee's aroma. Take note of any changes or new characteristics you detect.

• Step 5: Skim and Clean
  Use your cupping spoon to skim off and discard the remaining coffee grounds from the surface of each bowl. This step ensures that your tasting experience is free of any residual grounds.

• Step 6: Tasting the Coffee
  Wait for the coffee to cool slightly (around 12-15 minutes) to allow the flavors to develop. Dip your cupping spoon into the bowl and slurp the coffee, aspirating it across your entire palate. The goal is to aerate the coffee to fully experience its taste, acidity, and mouthfeel. Take note of the flavors, sweetness, acidity, body, and balance in your cupping form. Evaluate each sample, comparing them to one another, and don't forget to cleanse your palate between tastings with water or a neutral-tasting food, such as plain crackers.

• Step 7: Re-tasting and Scoring
  As the coffee continues to cool, its flavor profile may change. Re-taste each sample at different temperatures to observe any variations in taste and aroma. Use your cupping form to score each coffee based on its characteristics, such as aroma, flavor, acidity, body, balance, and aftertaste.

• Step 8: Final Thoughts and Evaluation
  After completing the tasting process, compare your notes and scores for each coffee. Discuss your findings with fellow cuppers, if applicable, and identify the unique attributes of each sample. This information is invaluable for roasters, buyers, and coffee enthusiasts alike, helping to guide decisions on sourcing, blending, and brewing.

Coffee cupping is an essential tool for understanding and appreciating the diverse world of coffee. By following a standardized process and honing your sensory skills, you can uncover the complexities and subtleties that make each coffee unique. Whether you're a coffee professional or an enthusiastic home brewer, cupping is a fantastic way to explore the nuances of coffee and deepen your appreciation for this beloved beverage.