What Is Cupping and Why Is It Used?

Cupping is a standardized way to taste and compare coffees using controlled roasting, grinding, water, dose, time, and evaluation procedures.

It allows buyers and producers to identify flavor, aroma, acidity, sweetness, body, aftertaste, balance, and defects while reducing recipe differences between samples.

Cupping does not perfectly predict every brewing method, but it provides a shared quality language.

Buyer takeaway: use cupping to screen and compare lots, then test promising coffees in the intended espresso or filter application before making a commercial decision.