Coffee tasting flights, also called cuppings, originated in specialty coffee circles to evaluate beans much like wine tastings. In the U.S., they grew alongside the third‑wave coffee movement, emphasizing origin, processing method, and roast level as markers of quality.

Latin American cuppings often highlight bright acidity, chocolate, and nutty notes, while East African cuppings focus on fruit‑forward flavors like citrus and berry, reflecting the different terroirs and processing methods (washed vs. natural).

Third‑wave shops serve a flight in small, identical demitasse cups, usually with a score sheet, a glass of water, and a neutral palate cleanser like plain crackers. The beans are freshly ground, brewed with consistent ratios, and evaluated in a quiet environment.

Coffee flights are popular at barista competitions, coffee festivals, and specialty coffee shop openings. They’re also used for corporate team‑building events and as a weekend ritual for coffee enthusiasts.

Stumptown Hair Bender blends African and Latin American beans, offering a balanced body, bright citrus notes, and a quick finish that showcases the brand’s focus on complexity and consistency, making it a staple for espresso and drip alike.

Common errors include grinding beans too early (causing oxidation), using water that’s too hot or too cold, inconsistent coffee‑to‑water ratios, and not cleaning equipment between brews, all of which can mask the true flavor of each coffee.

The French press allows a fuller body and longer contact time, which highlights the light‑roast Intelligencia’s subtle fruit and caramel notes, whereas a pour‑over would emphasize clarity but could under‑extract the delicate flavors.

Brewed coffee can be stored in a thermos at room temperature for up to 30 minutes, but for accurate tasting it’s best to serve immediately. If you must store, keep each cup sealed and re‑heat gently to 150°F before tasting.

The YouTube channel Epicurious specializes in food journalism, recipe testing, and culinary education, offering detailed video guides that blend cooking science with approachable home‑cook techniques.

Epicurious frames coffee tasting within a broader culinary context, comparing coffee flavor profiles to wine and food pairings, whereas many coffee‑specific channels focus solely on technical brewing methods and equipment reviews.

Epicurious is known for recipes such as cold‑brew coffee cocktails, coffee‑infused desserts like tiramisu, and instructional videos on home espresso setups and latte art.