Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lisa Rezendez on January 15, 2010 at 1:34pm

Join the group NW Roasters Group. Its run by Connie from Roast Magazine. They have meet ups around the NW, often in Portland, at least once a year with cupping workshops. They're a lot of fun. There are also free open cuppings at the Stumptown Annex on Belmont which are good for beginners. Also, contact your supplier (if you're buying pre-roasted coffee and your supplier is local). They might be willing to work with you to help with cuppings.

Permalink Reply by Chris Crumal on January 15, 2010 at 1:43pm

Thanks Lisa. I just signed up with Connie. I'm buying green beans and have access to the suppliers cupping notes but as I say I often don't find what they say is there in terms of flavors.
Thanks for your tip.

Permalink Reply by Joseph Robertson on January 15, 2010 at 2:16pm

Chris,
Cupping is a serious art form. I was lucky enough to attend a roasting school on the east coast. This one: http://www.coffeelab.com/
At this school we cupped every day of the week long roasting course. It's been a few years since but at the time Mane's Lab was being certified by the SCAA as the first and only SCAA "sponsored" "Q" graders course and program offered in the US. Since then I'm sure there are other locations through out the US. I discovered at this training that cupping is not tasting. If your trying to taste these different characters and notes in coffee it will be difficult unless your working with a dramatic coffee like Ethiopia Sidamo or maybe Hacienda La Esmeralda, there are many more I have yet to experience. When I saw Mane' bring out a medical looking chart on the sensory aspects of the human tongue I knew I was in for a serious learning experience. I am not one to teach or say much more on this "slurping" technique that is involved in coating the various taste buds on the tongue but I would love to take the "Q" graders course that is offered so I could pick out all these lovely differences in this fun coffee world. Chris I am also looking forward to joining the NW Roasters Group with Connie and gang. What a great place to experience some serious cupping and meet other local roasters. I would love to get back to Vermont and study some more with Mane' but until then the NW Roasters Group is a perfect option.
Joseph
--
Ambassador for Specialty Coffee and palate reform.


Chris Crumal said:

Thanks Lisa. I just signed up with Connie. I'm buying green beans and have access to the suppliers cupping notes but as I say I often don't find what they say is there in terms of flavors.
Thanks for your tip.

Permalink Reply by Alex C. McGregor on January 15, 2010 at 3:43pm

They also do cuppings at Ristretto on Williams in NE. Portland. every 1st and 3rd sunday. 11:00 a.m. I believe. Their whole staff is super informed and there's usually at least one of their roasters at them so you can pick their brains. Good luck my friend.