Cupping, also known as coffee tasting, is a fundamental practice in the coffee industry to assess the quality of beans and reveal their aroma and taste profiles. In this article, we will explore in detail what cupping is, how a tasting session takes place and what are the essential criteria for recognizing good coffee.
What is cupping?
Cupping is a standardized coffee tasting method that allows the sensory characteristics of the beans to be evaluated. It is a careful and systematic process used by coffee professionals to compare different samples and note their flavor profiles. Here are the key steps of the process:
- Grinding : Coffee beans are coarsely ground to obtain a texture similar to coarse salt.
- Aromas: Hot water is poured over the grounds, releasing the coffee aromas. Tasters smell the crust formed to detect aromas.
- Breaking : After a brief pause, the crust is broken using a spoon. This allows the flavors to escape.
- Tasting : Tasters slurp the coffee with spoons, assessing flavors, acidity, body and aftertaste.
- Rating : Ratings and scores are assigned to each sample, helping to compare and select the best deals.
How does a cupping session go?
A cupping session is a methodical experience that requires careful attention and detailed evaluation. Here is how a tasting session generally takes place:
- Sample Preparation: Coffee samples are prepared with precise ratios of ground coffee to water.
- Detection of aromas: Tasters smell the crust formed by hot water and grinding to detect olfactory notes.
- Breaking the crust: The crust is broken by gently pushing with a spoon to release the flavors.
- Visual assessment: Tasters observe the color, cleanliness and quality of the grind.
- Tasting: The coffee is sucked with a spoon to assess flavor, acidity, body and aftertaste profiles.
- Scoring: Grades are assigned for each aspect assessed, and scores are recorded for comparison.
How to recognize a good coffee
Coffee tasting allows you to identify coffees of exceptional quality. Here are some key criteria for recognizing good coffee during a cupping session:
- Complex Flavors: Good coffee exhibits a range of distinct aromas, from floral notes to fruit flavors.
- Balanced acidity: The acidity of the coffee should be pleasant and balanced, bringing liveliness to the flavors.
- Body in the mouth: A quality coffee has a rich, velvety body that lingers in the mouth.
- Pleasant aftertaste: A clean, pleasant aftertaste is a sign of quality, leaving a lasting impression.
- Freedom from defects: The best coffees are free from defects such as excessive acidity or earthy notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of coffee is ideal for cupping?
Specialty coffees and premium beans are ideal for cupping, as they offer a variety of flavors to explore.
How to learn coffee tasting?
Many cafes offer tasting workshops for coffee lovers and professionals.
Are the cupping results always objective?
Cupping results are influenced by tasters’ experience and preferences, but standardized methods help minimize bias.
Cupping is much more than just coffee tasting. It is a complex method that allows you to explore the nuances of flavors and aromas of coffee. By understanding the cupping process and learning to recognize the criteria for good coffee, you are prepared to appreciate each cup more and evaluate the exceptional qualities of the beans you taste.