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:
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