What is Coffee Cupping?
Coffee cupping is a formal method of evaluating a coffee’s aromas, flavors and overall quality. It’s a standard practice in the coffee industry conducted by producers, importers, exporters, roasters, baristas and coffee enthusiasts. It’s a fun and interactive way to better understand the unique characteristics of different coffee regions.
The Coffee Cupping Process:
We will take you through the coffee cupping process in general steps so you know what to expect.
Coffee Selection
The first step of the process is coffee selection. This is where coffees of interest are selected for the cupping experience.
Weighing
The second step of the process is the weighing of the selected coffee for the cupping event.
Grinding
After a coffee is weighed, the next step will be to grind each coffee and then place the grounds in separate cupping bowls. Keep in mind, consistent particle size is crucial for even extraction during brewing.
Smell the Coffee Grounds
Participants now get to smell the dry coffee grounds to get an initial sense of the coffee’s fragrance. This is the perfect time to take a whiff because coffee is most fragrant right after grinding.
Brew
It’s now time to brew your coffee. Hot water will be poured over the coffee grounds in each cupping bowl allowing the coffee to extract its flavors.
Break the Crust
After a few minutes, a crust will form at the surface of the cupping bowl. Participants will be breaking the crust carefully with their spoons. This will be the time to get another whiff of the smell.
Taste the Coffee
It’s now time to taste each coffee!
Coffee Cupping at ICT
Interested in participating in a coffee cupping experience? Join us at ICT. We host cupping events frequently. It’s a great way to taste a variety of freshly roasted coffee beans and expand your coffee knowledge and taste buds. We have experts to guide you through your tasting experience. Schedule a private cupping event today here. Just fill out the contact form with your information.
If you don’t feel like scheduling a private cupping event, keep an eye on our upcoming events. We host coffee cupping events frequently. Sign up for our newsletter and we will inform you about our next one. We will also share the news on our social media so make sure to follow us. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us. Give us a call at (619)338-8335 or email us at trading@ictcoffee.com.