RESOURCES

 

Start here

Start with this video, it’ll cover the technique as well as the tools you need to join in with the tasting event. For the event I’d recommend:

  • 5 cups (ideally the same size, ideally around 200-250ml)

  • 2 - 3 cups or glasses (for rinsing water)

  • 2+ spoons for tasting. Soup spoons work well, as do dessert spoons

  • A coffee grinder

  • A kettle

  • Distilled water (for more on distilled or de-ionised water click here)

 

All About Tasting

Many people get intimidated by the tasting process, but it isn’t complicated and should be accessible to anyone!

I’d recommend starting by downloading the scoresheet that we use for the tastings which you can find here.

Get Your Tasting Guide PDF For Note Taking and Scoring

A simple scoresheet to help you take notes and separate the different aspects of tasting. Take a moment to look through it before the tasting begins.

Tasting Safely With Others

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) issued updated guidelines for how to taste safely, and they are linked below:

Additional Resources

If you’ve got more questions then I’d recommend checking out the FAQ. We’ll also keep a community Q&A thread running on the subreddit at r/JamesHofmann.

Please note: I would recommend against using DMs on Twitter or Instagram, as unfortunately those services are a little overwhelmed.