If you've never heard of it, coffee cupping is rapidly becoming the new wine tasting. You get the opportunity to thrill your palate without the mind-altering effects that alcohol can have on your system. Of course caffeine offers it's very own effects but they aren't as likely to impair your ability to drive. For those who have never heard of cupping, it is a method used to compare different coffees on 'a level playing' field so to speak.

Coffees are chosen that have similar flavors and other characteristics in order for those cupping to be sure they are comparing apples to apples so to speak and not apples to oranges. The goals is to discover the many different nuances to a cup of coffee and foster a greater appreciation for the entire coffee making process. A formal cupping is very much like a wine tasting with others in the group pointing out some of the lighter touches that they recognize in order for you to see for yourself if you find the same or a similar sensation, flavor, or experience. Cupping at home for a small group of friends doesn't require quite the rigorous attention to detail that a formal cupping would entail though you do want to try to be as consistent as possible in order to maintain the integrity of the different coffee flavors. They can also be a very fun experience for everyone involved. Not only do you get to try many different cups of coffee, you get to learn about your personal preferences as well as the preferences of your friends.

People decide to try coffee cupping for many different reasons. One of the main reasons is to broaden the understandings about the coffee choices they are making as well as educating themselves to some of the finer points of the coffee drinking process. For some, coffee is about a quick wake up in the morning, for others, it is about a deep appreciation of something that is warm and vital. It is theses people, those that truly appreciated the subtleties you find in a cup of coffee, that cupping is a great way to spend an afternoon (or evening if you think you can manage sleep afterwards). A coffee cupping can also deepen your personal appreciation for the brands of coffee that you choose. By trying others, you may reaffirm your love of your own blend or you may find that there are other blends that you find appealing, which allows you to add a little variety to your coffee routine.

Just be careful that you don't leave your cupping experience and rush out and buy a bag of each of the great coffees you've tried and enjoyed. Coffee beans only stay fresh for about two weeks and ground coffee has an even shorter shelf life. It is best to only buy an amount that you can consume within that time frame rather than overbuying and finding that the experience at home is less enjoyable because your coffee isn't fresh. Coffee cupping is an activity I highly recommend to anyone who considers him or herself a coffee lover. You may find even more to love about this wonderful drink than you ever realized.