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Coffee Tastings, Explained

Posted by Bean & Bean on
Coffee Tastings, Explained

Learning to taste and appreciate the many flavors in coffee is a skill that requires a good bit of practice. One of the best ways to train your palate is by attending a coffee tasting. If youโ€™ve ever attended a wine tasting, itโ€™s essentially the same idea. In this case, a highly-trained coffee professional will prepare several different coffees for participants to taste and guide everyone through the process of how to taste them. Hereโ€™s a quick breakdown of what it's like to attend one.

What is a coffee tasting?

A coffee tasting is simply a way to taste and compare multiple coffees at once (again, just think of a wine tasting). There might be a theme involved, such as different coffees from a certain originโ€”or it may just be a random assortment of whatever is on hand. The aim is to truly taste coffee and understand complex flavors and notes!

Most coffee tastings take place in the form of a โ€œcoffee cuppingโ€, which is a standardized method used by coffee professionals around the world to objectively taste and evaluate flavor. When done professionally, tasters use a special โ€œcupping formโ€ to assign scores and take notes across various categories; such as fragrance, aroma, acidity, aftertaste and sweetness. Tasters are also looking for any off flavors or defects that may be present.ย 

Coffee tastings donโ€™t have to take place in this professional context, but the cupping method is often still used since it's a convenient and efficient way to taste multiple coffees at once. In a more โ€œcasual cuppingโ€ setting, tasters are looking to taste for their own enjoyment rather than to evaluate flavor.ย 

What to expect during a coffee tasting?

Since most people have not tasted coffee via cupping, you can likely expect a quick demonstration and walk-through of how to cup coffees. Be sure to pay attention if you want to get the most out of your experience!ย 

Most cuppings involve 4-10 different coffees to taste, so unless you want to get super wired, it would be a good idea not to have any coffee prior to the tasting (although itโ€™s absolutely ok to spit out your coffee, just like in a wine tasting).ย 

Itโ€™s also good etiquette to avoid wearing fragrances (including heavily scented lotions) when attending a coffee tasting as they can affect how you and others smell and taste the coffees.

What will I learn during a coffee tasting?

Expect to get an in-depth look into the specialty coffee world! A good instructor will not only show you how to cup coffees properly, but will also explain how to perceive each individual aspect of flavor. As an example: how to taste the difference between a coffee with a rich, full body versus one that has a more delicate mouthfeel.

Additionally, youโ€™ll learn about each individual coffee that youโ€™re tasting, everything from the processing method and roast profile, to information about the origin and the story behind the producer. And if that information isnโ€™t readily presented, donโ€™t be afraid to ask questions. A cupping is an excellent opportunity to dive deep and get nerdy about coffee, and most coffee professionals are more than happy to share their knowledge.ย 

How to attend a coffee tasting?

Coffee roasters will often host coffee cuppings open to the public at their roasting facility. Checking with your local coffee roasters would be a good place to start. Specialty coffee shops will also sometimes host cupping events, so be sure to inquire at your neighborhood spot as well.ย 

If thereโ€™s nothing available locally in-person, virtual coffee tasting events are also tons of fun. In fact, we offer virtual tastings here at Bean & Bean! Our tasting class comes with a kit that we mail you, containing everything you need to have your own cupping at home. If youโ€™re interested, shoot us a message at events@beannbeancoffee.com and weโ€™ll work with you to set up an event!

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