Cupping is one of those essential rituals in the coffee world; a bit like wine tasting, but for coffee lovers. More than just tasting coffee, it’s a technique that lets us zero in on the quality and unique sensory profile of each bean. At Café William, cupping is at the heart of our promise to serve you the very best.
What Is Coffee Cupping?
Cupping is the professional ritual used to taste and evaluate coffee.
The Cupping Process Step by Step
Measuring & Grinding the Coffee
It starts with 8.25 g of each freshly roasted coffee, ground to a coarse, filter-like grind. Before pouring it into the cups, you take a moment to smell the dry grounds and catch those first aromas.
Brewing & Forming the Crust
The coffee is placed in cupping bowls and covered with hot water, poured in steady, circular motions.
A crust forms on the surface and rests for about four minutes. While the grounds steeps cup tasters breathe in the coffee, because the aromas of dry grounds are often very different from those steeped in water.
Breaking the Crust & Skimming
After four minutes, the crust is broken with a spoon. With the back of the spoon, tasters make gentle upward motions while leaning in close to capture the full aromatic richness. A second spoon is then used to skim off the surface, leaving a clear, clean coffee for tasting.
Tasting & Slurping
Then comes the tasting itself: using the spoon to scoop up some of the coffee before slurping it quickly to spread the liquid across the tongue. And finally, to be able to taste each coffee characteristic, the spoon is rinsed carefully between every sample.
Cupping at Café William
At our Sherbrooke facility, we have a dedicated lab where all of our coffee is analyzed. This is where Marjorie and Bastien, our certified Q Graders, bring their expertise to the table every single day.
Why It Matters: Quality, Consistency & Transparency
A Q Grader is a highly trained professional, internationally recognized for evaluating coffee according to strict standards. Their role is essential, and the rigorous practice of cupping allows us to:
- Select the very best coffees at the source
- Ensure consistency across all our products
- Quickly detect any variation in quality
- Offer our customers a coffee experience that’s both rich and true
Cupping isn’t just about taste. It’s a commitment to transparency and quality. Through these careful tastings, we make sure that every cup of Café William reflects our high standards and our passion for coffee.
