What is the role of a coffee cupping session?

A coffee cupping session is designed specifically to assess and compare different coffee varieties. This process involves evaluating the aromas, flavors, and overall characteristics of various coffees side by side. During a cupping session, trained professionals or enthusiasts will sample coffees that have been brewed in a standard manner to ensure consistency and allow for an objective comparison.

This practice is vital for quality control within a coffee company, as it helps in determining the profile of the coffee, identifying potential defects, and selecting the best beans for future roasting and blending. By systematically tasting and scoring each coffee, cupping sessions play a crucial role in maintaining high standards and developing an understanding of how different factors influence the flavor profiles of coffees from various regions, processing methods, and varietals.

The other choices, while related to coffee, do not capture the essence of what a cupping session achieves. Brewing coffee for customers is a different function focused on service, training new baristas emphasizes skill development, and cleaning equipment pertains to maintenance rather than evaluation.