Cupping Coffee for Wholesale Purchases

Coffee cupping is a sensory evaluation process that is used to assess the quality of coffee. It is a standardized method that is used by coffee roasters, buyers, and consumers around the world. Cupping is an important part of the wholesale coffee bean distributor purchasing process, as it allows buyers to taste and compare coffees from different roasters and regions.

If you are a wholesale coffee buyer, cupping is an essential skill to have. It will allow you to make informed decisions about which coffees to purchase and how to blend them. Cupping can also help you to identify new and exciting coffees to offer your customers.

What is coffee cupping?

Coffee cupping is a process of tasting and evaluating coffee in a controlled environment. It involves brewing coffee in a specific way and then tasting it using a variety of criteria, such as aroma, flavor, body, acidity, and balance.

Cupping is typically done in a group setting, with each person cupping the same coffees. This allows for a more objective assessment of the coffees, as everyone is tasting the same thing.

Cupping coffee for wholesale purchases

When cupping coffee for wholesale purchases, there are a few specific things that buyers should keep in mind. First, it is important to cup coffees from a variety of roasters and regions. This will give buyers a good sense of what is available on the market and what their customers are likely to be interested in.

Second, buyers should pay attention to the quality of the coffees that they are cupping. Look for coffees that are clean, balanced, and have a good aroma and flavor. Avoid coffees that are sour, bitter, or have off-flavors.

Finally, buyers should consider how the coffees that they are cupping will fit into their existing product line. Look for coffees that will complement your existing coffees and offer something new and exciting to your customers.

How to cup coffee

To cup coffee, you will need the following equipment:

Cupping bowls
Cupping spoons
A gooseneck kettle
A scale
A timer
A cupping form

Once you have your equipment, follow these steps to cup your coffee:

Grind 11 grams of coffee for each cupping bowl. The grind size should be medium-coarse, similar to a sea salt grind.
Place the ground coffee in the cupping bowl and add 200 grams of hot water (approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit).
Stir the coffee gently to break up any clumps.
Start the timer and let the coffee bloom for 30 seconds.
After 30 seconds, gently break the crust of the coffee with your cupping spoon.
Allow the coffee to brew for a total of 4 minutes.
After 4 minutes, remove the crust of the coffee with your cupping spoon and discard it.
Begin cupping the coffee!

Cupping criteria

When cupping coffee, there are a variety of criteria that you should consider. These criteria include:

Aroma: The aroma of the coffee is the first thing that you will experience when cupping. Take a deep sniff of the coffee and pay attention to the different aromas that you smell.
Flavor: The flavor of the coffee is the most important criterion to consider when cupping. Take a sip of the coffee and pay attention to the different flavors that you taste. Look for coffees that have a complex and balanced flavor profile.
Body: The body of the coffee refers to its mouthfeel. Is the coffee light, medium, or full-bodied? Look for coffees that have a good body and are not too watery or too syrupy.
Acidity: The acidity of the coffee refers to its brightness. Is the coffee high, medium, or low in acidity? Look for coffees that have a good balance of acidity and sweetness.
Balance: The balance of the coffee refers to how well all of the different elements of the coffee (aroma, flavor, body, and acidity) work together. Look for coffees that are well-balanced and have a harmonious flavor profile.

Cupping form

A cupping form is a helpful tool for recording your cupping results. Cupping forms typically include spaces to record the coffee’s origin, roast date, grind size, and cupping scores for each criterion.

To use a cupping form, simply record the coffee’s information and then assign a score for each criterion. The scores are typically on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest score.

Once you have scored all of the coffees, you can compare the scores to see which coffees you liked the best. You can also use the scores to identify coffees that have similar flavor profiles.

Tips for cupping coffee

Here are a few tips for cupping coffee: