CUPPING (Sensory Evaluation of different Coffee blends)

Age: _______

Gender: _______

Sensory evaluation encompasses all of the senses. It takes into account several different
disciplines but emphasizes the individuals perception. This evaluation involves the measurement
of sensory properties of coffee. This is also commonly known as Cupping.

Fill in the blanks with sensory descriptors that for you best describe the coffee samples. Shown
in the Table 1 are the sensory attributes and their corresponding definitions.

Table 1. Coffee sensory attributes and their definitions

Categories

Descriptors

Definitions

Dark color

Strong intensity color

Light color

Soft or pale in color

Appearance
Cloudy
Oily
Odor
(orthonasal
perception)

Non-transparent
Greasy and coating appearance

Overall coffee
odor/flavor

Aromatics associated with common coffee

aroma

Brew-like

Aromatics associated with freshly brewed

roasted coffee

Roasty
Fruity

Aromatics associated with freshly roasted coffee

beans
Light sour and sweet aromatics associated with
several fruits

Taste

Smoky

Aromatics associated with burnt rice or

something scorched or burnt

Woody

Aromatics associated with wooden materials

Earthy

Aromatics associated with soil or clay freshly

cut grass or hay

Staleness

Aromatics associated with moldy, old coffee

Rancid

Aromatics associated with oxidation processes

or fat

Sweet

A basic taste associated with sucrose solution

Sour

A basic taste associated with citric acid solution

Bitter

A basic taste associated with caffeine solutions

Viscous
Mouthfeel
Astringent

Sticky characteristics to palate

Feelings associated with dry sensation
associated with immature permissions or
black/green tea

Overall coffee

Long-lasting overall impression 1 min after

having swallowed the coffee

Bitter

Long-lasting bitter taste 1 min after having

swallowed the coffee

Aftertaste

SET A

Category

Appearance

Cup
Numbe
r
A1
A2

Descriptor

SET B

Category

Appearance

Cup
Descriptor
Number
B1
B2

A3
A4

Odor

A1

Odor

A2

B1
B2

A3
A4

Taste

A1

Taste

A2

B1
B2

A3
A4

Mouthfeel

A1

Mouthfeel

A2

B1
B2

A3
A4

Aftertaste

A1
A2
A3
A4

Aftertaste

B1
B2

Please answer the following questions by filling out the spaces provided.

1. Taste each cup in Set A in the following order: A1, A2, A3, and A4. Which of the cups in
Set A do you like best? _________

2. Taste each cup in Set B in the following order: B1 then B2. Which of the cups in Set B do
you like best? _________

3. Which type of coffee do you prefer, brewed or instant? __________

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