Simply put, Cupping is to Coffee what Wine Tasting is to Wine. Tasting and how we describe taste is the way to approach “coffee cupping” – It’s not as easy the first time – it can be hard to describe coffee..most people will  describe coffee in terms of smell or if you will aroma. It’s usually the first thing they will say when describing coffee – ask someone !” It smells soooooo goooood ! ” or for others -  ” I hate the smell of coffee!! ” – You may have noticed the colorful  lingo used to describe some coffees : floral, jasmine,  winey, fruity etc…. this is personal and may  not be  experienced by everyone who buy the same coffee .

cupping is to coffee what wine tasting is to wine

Remember that coffee bean chemistry changes – each time you open and close your bag -  you allow oxygen in which affects content freshness over time (oxidation)  -  This is why when you buy fresh beans from me I recommend you consume it as soon as possible to appreciate the freshness ( 1 lb yields on average 30 servings – )  I also recommend if you don’t consume alot ( 1 cup a day ) consider a 12 oz fresh bag and re-order or get yourself on auto-ship !  Don’t forget-  ” Aging is for wine,  NOT coffee!!”

Coffee cupping is all about “taste terminology” as you will evidence in the fun video on Cupping -  from “Kaladi Coffee” that  I have posted.

You will have heard coffee described in the terms below:

Body is about:  thickness or heaviness (light, medium, heavy )
Taste is about sensations at different places on tongue:
Sweet: tip of tongue)
Salty: flat of tongue and
Sour:  winey  side of tongue
Bitter:  back of tongue
Aroma is the smell

Smell and Taste are linked ( these are survival needs ie: we stay away from foods or drinks that stink or taste bad initially )  When we cup we learn to “discern” taste -
Here are your taste sensations:
-sweet
-salty
-sour
-bitter – is not bad it is in all coffees – it can be excessive though.

In my next blog post I’ll discuss  the process of cupping – meanwhile check out the cool video and learn something :)

Have a blessed cup of cofffee :)