How to Cup Coffee: Tasting Like a Pro

Ever wondered how coffee professionals taste and evaluate coffee? The answer is cupping — the industry’s standard method of tasting coffee. It’s used by farmers, roasters, and baristas worldwide to judge quality and discover the unique flavor notes of each bean.

What is Cupping?

Cupping is a structured way of brewing and tasting coffee side by side. Instead of using an espresso machine or filter, the coffee is ground, steeped in hot water, and tasted directly from the cup with a spoon. This method allows tasters to compare coffees fairly and focus on their aroma, flavor, and body.

How It Works

1. Grind: Coffee is ground medium-coarse, similar to French press.

2. Smell the grounds: Before water is added, tasters inhale the dry aroma.

3. Brew: Hot water (around 93°C) is poured directly over the grounds, filling each cup.

4. Crust & break: After 4 minutes, a crust of coffee forms on the surface. Tasters gently break it with a spoon and smell the released aroma.

5. Skim: The grounds floating on top are skimmed off.

6. Taste: Once cooled slightly, the coffee is slurped from a spoon to spread flavor across the palate.

Why Cupping Matters

Cupping helps identify a coffee’s flavor profile, strengths, and defects. It’s essential for quality control but also a fun way for coffee lovers to train their palate and discover the diversity of coffee.

🔍 Did you know?
Professional coffee tasters are called Q-Graders (for Arabica) and R-Graders (for Robusta). They undergo intensive training and calibration to ensure that coffee quality is evaluated consistently around the world.

☕️ Pro tip for home cupping
You don’t need special equipment to start. A few identical cups, hot water, and freshly ground coffee are enough. Try comparing two different origins — for example, a natural Brazil vs. a washed Colombia — and notice the contrast. Slurp loudly (yes, really!) to spread the flavors across your palate.

🥄 Want to cup like a pro?
Every coffee cupping needs the right spoon. We offer professional cupping spoons — the same kind used by Q-Graders worldwide.
👉 Check out our cupping spoons in the shop here