Ever Wondered What Those "Cupping Notes" on Our Coffee Bags Actually Mean?

You've picked up a bag of our single-origin coffee, read the label, and seen words like "jasmine," "dark fruit," or "toasted pecans." You might have even thought, "That sounds delicious, but I’m just tasting… coffee!"

Trust us, you're not alone! It's one of the most common questions we get here at Poets & Prose Coffee. Those aren't just fancy words—they're what we call cupping notes, and they're a window into the coffee's unique personality. We've put together a fun guide on how to unlock those hidden flavors and start tasting coffee like a pro.

Let's dive in!

The Home-Cupping Party: Your Pro-Level Tasting Guide

Cupping is just a fancy word for a professional coffee tasting session. You don't need a lab—just a few simple tools and an open mind.

What You'll Need:

1. A coffee cup or small bowl (ceramic is best)
2. A grinder 
3. A tablespoon or two
4. A kettle or temperature-controlled water boiler
5. A timer
6. Of course, some fantastic Poets & Prose coffee!

The Grind: A Little Bit of Science

For cupping, we're looking for a specific ratio and grind size. Use a medium-coarse grind, similar to coarse sand or flaky sea salt. The ratio is simple: for every 10 grams of coffee, use 170 grams of water (about 6 ounces). If you don't have a scale, two tablespoons of grounds for one cup of water is a good starting point.

Step 1: The Dry Aroma (Let's Get Sniffy!)

First, put your freshly ground coffee into your cup. Before adding any water, give it a good sniff. What does the dry aroma remind you of? Sweet spices, cocoa, or something nutty? Take a mental note—this is your first impression!

Step 2: The Bloom & Wet Aroma

Start your timer and pour hot water (just off the boil) over the grounds, making sure to saturate all of them. Don't stir! Now, take a second sniff. The hot water has "unlocked" new aromas. Are they different from the dry grounds? Is there a burst of fruity or floral notes?

Step 3: Break the Crust & Slurp!

After exactly 4 minutes, you'll see a crust of grounds at the top. With your spoon, gently break this crust, stirring the coffee just enough to let the grounds sink. As you do, give it one last sniff—this is the most powerful aroma yet!

Now for the fun part: take a spoonful of coffee and slurp it loudly! Slurping sprays the coffee across your entire palate, allowing you to pick up every flavor note.

Step 4: The Four Pillars of Taste

As the coffee coats your tongue, pay attention to these four key elements that define its personality:

1. Sweetness: Does it have a natural sweetness, like caramel or brown sugar?
2. Acidity: This isn't sourness! It's that bright, tangy quality that makes the coffee feel vibrant and lively, like a citrus fruit.
3. Bitterness: This is a natural component of coffee. A pleasant bitterness, like dark chocolate, is desirable, while an overpowering one may be due to over-extraction.
4. Body: How does it feel in your mouth? Is it light and watery, or rich and syrupy?

Step 5: The Grand Finale

As the coffee cools, the flavors will evolve. Go back for a few more sips, focusing on how the taste changes. What notes can you pick out now? A delicious aftertaste is what separates a good coffee from a great one!

A Sneak Peek: Launching Soon!

Ready to put your new skills to the test? We're thrilled to announce that we are soon launching a Poets & Prose Sampler Pack! This curated collection will feature a selection of our finest single-origin coffees, giving you the perfect opportunity to taste the unique differences between each one. It's the ultimate way to practice your new-found pro skills. Keep an eye on our social media for the official launch!

Happy sipping, everyone! We can’t wait to hear about the incredible flavors you discover.