Coffee Cupping

Coffee is not just a drink, but an experience for the senses. Coffee cupping plays a crucial role in the roasting process and allows the team to control the subtleties of roasting degree, aroma and flavour. In the following steps, we will show you how a cupping works, what criteria we take into account and how you can delve into the fascinating world of coffee flavours yourself.


Coffee cupping using the ‘Hamburg harbour brew’ method

Coffee cupping is a key step in our roasting process. Our experienced master roasters cup every coffee to ensure that the full flavour is released. As a rule, freshly roasted coffee reaches its best flavour about a day after roasting. For our cupping, we use the proven ‘Hamburg harbour brew’ method.

For this special method, we use 350 ml of water heated to 94 °C and 21 g of freshly ground coffee. First, we brew the coffee with 80 % of the water. After a short time, a solid crust forms on the surface, which we carefully stir. We carry out the first olfactory test to detect the aromas before adding the remaining water.

During the subsequent brewing time, a fine layer of foam develops on the surface, which we remove with a spoon. We then cup the coffee at different temperatures to appreciate the different flavours and aromas.

This method allows us to accurately assess the quality of our coffees and offer our customers the best possible flavour experience. Discover the fascinating world of coffee flavours with us!


The key to coffee cupping

Cupping coffee is much more than just drinking a beverage: in this complex process, both flavour and smell play a central role. Our tongue can only perceive five basic flavours - sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. However, coffee has an incredibly wide range of flavours with over 800 different nuances that need to be assessed. Many of these subtle flavours are perceived not only by our taste buds, but above all by our nose.

Coffee is therefore slurped: a special spoon is used for the cupping, with the coffee being drawn into the mouth together with air. This slurping sound is impossible to ignore and allows the full flavour to unfold in the mouth. In this way, the complex, subtle flavours that make coffee so special can also be perceived through the nose.

Incidentally, when you have a cold and your nose is congested, you realise how much the sense of smell is responsible for the taste of coffee. In this case, the flavours are flat and less intense, as the full taste experience only really emerges through the combination of smelling and tasting.

In addition to odour perception, we also assess the ‘body’ of the coffee. This describes the sensation created by the richness, complexity and body of the beverage.

When tasting, we look for desirable flavour characteristics such as fragrant, earthy, delicate, fruity, nutty, juicy, chocolaty and sweet. Undesirable characteristics such as bitter, inexpressive, thin, dirty, grassy, musty, muddy or watery should be avoided.


Coffee cupping criteria

Particularly fresh, citrusy notes are most easily detected at higher temperatures, while many other flavour nuances only emerge as the coffee cools. These nuances significantly determine the character of the coffee. For this reason, we cup the brewed coffee at different temperatures. Once we have approved the quality of the coffee, the carefully selected beans make their final journey to you.


Coffee Tasting and Coffee Training for Our Partners

As a manufacturer of high-quality coffees, it is important to us to share our passion and expertise with our partners. That's why we regularly organise coffee cuppings and coffee workshops for interested coffee retailers.

These events allow you to gain a deeper insight into the world of coffee and to rely on the expert advice of our specialist retailers.

 

Travelling to the countries of origin is also an integral part of our varied daily routine.

This is how we ensure that we always offer the best beans and delight our customers with high-quality products.


Our master roasters

‘Coffee is a fascinating drink with an exciting history. We associate coffee with wanderlust, but also with tradition and pleasure. Like tea, coffee is an authentic drink that promises natural enjoyment. Coffee invigorates the senses and brings colour into our everyday lives. In short, coffee has become an integral part of our culture.’

Our master roasters are passionate experts who have dedicated themselves to the art of coffee preparation. They have mastered the subtle nuances of roasting and know exactly how to bring out the full aroma and unique flavours of our coffees. In our own roastery, we use the latest technology and traditional craftsmanship to perfect every coffee bean. Discover the world of coffee with us and experience how our master roasters turn every sip into a special treat!

You can find more information about the roastery and our roasting process here:


Il mondo del caffè - Scopri l'ampia gamma di argomenti legati al caffè


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