Stumbled into a coffee cupping session at a roastery in Denver

I was walking past Huckleberry Roasters last Saturday and saw they had an open cupping session happening. I figured I'd just watch but the guy running it handed me a spoon and told me to join in. We tasted 6 different single-origin beans from the same farm but processed 3 different ways. The difference between the honey processed and the natural was wild - one tasted like blueberries, the other like wine. I never realized how much the processing method changes the flavor profile. Has anyone else tried cupping at a local spot and had a similar moment where you tasted something totally unexpected?

2 comments

2 Comments

evan511d ago

Yeah I tried cupping once at this little shop in Portland and was totally lost for the first ten minutes. That honey vs natural difference you mentioned is no joke though, I had a Kenyan coffee that literally smelled like tomato soup and I thought the guy was messing with me.

jennifer_fisher1d ago

Dude, the tomato soup thing is real, I totally believe you." It's actually a good sign when you get those wild notes because it means the coffee is complex and hasn't been roasted to death. If you ever try cupping again, the best tip I can give is to actually slurp it loud and fast, like you're trying to inhale the spoon. That spray of coffee across your tongue is what unlocks all those weird flavors, not sipping it like tea. Also, don't be afraid to say what you smell even if it sounds insane, that Kenyan coffee might legit be picking up some umami from the soil. Stick with it, man, once your palate gets used to the surprise, cupping is honestly a blast.