Coffee Cupping at Home: A Winter Weekend Project

When winter weather keeps you indoors, there's no better time to develop your coffee palate through a home cupping session. This professional tasting method will transform how you experience coffee while providing a fun weekend activity for coffee enthusiasts.

Setting Up Your Space

Create an environment conducive to focused tasting. Choose a well-lit area with minimal competing aromas. Clear a table where you can arrange your samples and tasting materials. Natural light works best for observing coffee colors and oils.

Essential Equipment

Keep your setup simple but precise. You'll need:

  • Clean glasses or cups of identical size

  • Spoons for tasting (one per coffee)

  • Hot water kettle with temperature control

  • Timer

  • Notepad for observations

  • Fresh, whole bean coffees

  • Filtered water

  • Coffee grinder

Choosing Your Coffees

Select three to five different coffees for comparison. Consider exploring:

  • A single origin from different regions

  • The same origin processed differently

  • Different roast levels from the same roaster

  • Varying harvest dates of the same coffee

The Cupping Process

Start with freshly roasted beans, ideally between 24 hours and 10 days off roast. Here's your step-by-step guide:

Preparation Phase

Grind each coffee just before cupping, using a consistent medium-coarse setting. Place the same amount of grounds (about 8.25 grams) in each cup and label them discreetly. Consider using painter's tape on the bottom of cups for blind tasting.

The First Pour

Heat filtered water to 200°F (93°C). Pour water slowly over the grounds until cups are full, ensuring even saturation. Start your timer.

Breaking the Crust

At 4 minutes, break the crust of grounds that has formed on top. Using your spoon, push the grounds back gently three times. Pay special attention to the aromas released during this moment - they're often the most intense and revealing.

Tasting Time

Once cups have cooled to about 160°F (71°C), usually around 10-15 minutes after pouring, begin tasting. Use your spoon to slurp the coffee, spraying it across your palate. This technique, called aspiration, helps you taste all the subtle flavors.

What to Look For

Train your palate by focusing on these characteristics:

Fragrance and Aroma

Notice the smell of dry grounds versus wet grounds. Look for:

  • Fruity notes

  • Floral scents

  • Nutty characteristics

  • Chocolate tones

  • Earthy qualities

Flavor Profile

Consider these aspects while tasting:

  • Sweetness

  • Acidity

  • Body

  • Aftertaste

  • Balance

Recording Your Observations

Keep notes simple but descriptive. Note your immediate reactions and any changes as the coffee cools. Don't worry about using fancy coffee terminology - describe flavors in ways that make sense to you.

Making It Social

Turn your cupping session into an engaging event:

Share brewing duties Compare tasting notes Discuss favorite discoveries Learn from others' perspectives

Developing Your Palate

Remember that taste perception is highly personal and develops with practice. Each cupping session will enhance your ability to identify subtle flavors and differences between coffees.

Tips for Success

Keep these points in mind:

  • Always cup coffees at room temperature for maximum flavor perception

  • Cleanse your palate with water between tastings

  • Avoid wearing strong perfumes or colognes

  • Trust your instincts - there are no wrong answers in taste perception

Common Flavor Discoveries

You might encounter flavors like:

  • Stone fruits in Ethiopian coffees

  • Chocolate notes in Brazilian beans

  • Citrus brightness in Kenyan varieties

  • Berry sweetness in natural processed coffees

  • Nutty notes in Colombian beans

Remember, coffee cupping is both an art and a science. While there are standard procedures, the joy comes from discovering your own preferences and developing your palate. Every cupping session is an opportunity to learn something new about coffee and your own taste preferences.

Visit Second Best Coffee to explore our selection of beans perfect for your home cupping adventure, and don't hesitate to ask our baristas for recommendations or tips for your tasting session.

Courtnie Ross