Coffee Cupping
The term “coffee cupping” may sound strange to you, as it first did to us. We had never heard this term until we ventured out to our first coffee conference. We learned that like wine, every coffee has its own distinctive character, and cupping refers to an international method of evaluating the different flavor profiles of a particular coffee and region. Did you know that between 700 and 850 different substances contribute to the unique flavor of coffee? At Barbaric Bean Coffee Roasters we will periodically hold cupping classes for our customers. For true coffee aficionados, this is a unique and fun way to learn about coffee and to determine which origin coffees are your personal favorites.
Cupping helps determine specific aromas and flavors. The basic cupping procedure involves sitting at a table with about four small glasses in front of each participant filled with freshly ground coffee from a variety of countries or regions. Hot water will be poured into each cup. After about 3 minutes a thin crust of the coffee grounds will form on the surface. Each participant will place his/her head over the glass and, taking a soupspoon, will break the crust and begin inhaling the aroma. After a number of hearty whiffs of the brew, distinct smells will emerge that will be logged on a sheet of paper that each of the participants will have in front of them.
Next is the taste test. Once again the soupspoon will be utilized. Dipping the spoon into the hot liquid, a small amount of the coffee will be retrieved, and then with a forceful slurp the participant will seek to spread the coffee over the surface of the tongue. Again, as is the experience of the aroma, the diverse taste sensations will be recorded.
That is basically it. The whole cupping process will take about 30-minutes to one hour, depending on the number of people in the class. At Barbaric Bean Coffee Roasters, it is our aim to help our customers become true coffee aficionados!!
