Wine has tastings. Beer has flights. So why not coffee? A coffee tasting at home is one of the easiest and most fun ways to discover what you really like in a cup, and you don't need to be a barista to do it.
In this beginner's guide, you'll learn exactly how to set up a coffee tasting, what equipment you need (spoiler: you probably own most of it), how to taste coffee like a pro and which coffees to include in your flight. We've even included a free scorecard you can copy for your guests.
What You Need for a Coffee Tasting at Home?
- 3 to 4 different coffees (a coffee flight)
- A grinder, a kettle and a kitchen scale (or tablespoons)
- One small cup or mug per coffee, plus spoons
- Water and plain crackers to clean your palate
- A pen and a simple tasting scorecard (template below)
What Is a Coffee Tasting (and Why Try One at Home)?
A coffee tasting is simply brewing a few different coffees side by side and comparing them. Coffee professionals call this "cupping." Roasters and buyers use it to judge quality and flavor. At home, you can use a simpler version to have fun, train your taste buds and figure out your favorite coffee.
Tasting coffees side by side changes everything. When you drink one cup a day, every coffee just tastes like "coffee." But put a bright Ethiopian next to an earthy Sumatran, and the differences jump out right away. One tastes like tea and honey. The other tastes like dark chocolate and spice.
A coffee tasting is also a great idea for a weekend brunch, a date night, a book club or a holiday get-together. It's social, it's cheap compared to a wine tasting and everyone goes home knowing a little more about coffee.
How to Set Up Your Coffee Tasting at Home?
Your Coffee Tasting Kit: What You Need?
| Item | Why You Need It | Easy Swap |
|---|---|---|
| 3–4 fresh coffees | The stars of the show | A ready-made coffee flight |
| Burr grinder | Fresh grounds taste best | Buy coffee pre-ground (coarse) |
| Kettle | Hot water around 200°F | Boil, then wait 30 seconds |
| Kitchen scale | Same amount of coffee in every cup | 2 level tablespoons per cup |
| Cups and spoons | One cup per coffee | Small mugs or glasses |
| Water and crackers | Reset your taste buds | Plain bread works too |
Choose Your Coffee Flight
The best coffee flights have real variety: different origins, different roast levels and different flavors. The easiest option is the Organic Coffee Starter Flight, which includes four 12oz bags of Forum's signature organic coffees. Here's how they compare, in the order we recommend tasting them:
| Order | Coffee | Roast | Tasting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ethiopian Yirgacheffe | Medium-Dark | Black tea, honey, lemongrass |
| 2 | Guatemalan Huehuetenango | Medium | Chocolate, cashew, brown sugar |
| 3 | Crooked Column House Blend | Medium | Walnut, chocolate, cherry |
| 4 | Sumatran Takengon | Dark | Cedar, cardamom, baker's chocolate |
Why this order? Start with the brightest, most delicate coffee and finish with the boldest. If you taste a heavy dark roast first, it can overpower the lighter flavors that come after it. Want to compare more styles later? Explore our single origin coffee beans or read our full lineup guide.
Build Your Coffee Flight
Combo Pack · 4 Coffees
Organic Coffee Starter Flight (4 x 12oz)
House Blend, Ethiopia, Guatemala & Sumatra
$80.00
Buy Now
Medium-Dark · Single Origin
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Organic Coffee (12oz)
Black Tea · Honey · Lemongrass
$22.95
Buy Now
Dark Roast · Single Origin
Sumatran Takengon Organic Dark Roast (12oz)
Cedar · Cardamom · Baker's Chocolate
$22.95
Buy NowStep-by-Step: How to Brew and Taste Each Coffee?
This is a simplified version of professional cupping. It's easy, and every coffee gets brewed the exact same way, so the comparison is fair.
- Grind. Grind about 12 grams (around 2 level tablespoons) of each coffee to a medium-coarse grind. Put each coffee in its own labeled cup.
- Smell the dry grounds. Before adding water, sniff each cup. Write down the first word that comes to mind.
- Add water. Pour about 6oz (180ml) of water at around 200°F into each cup. That's close to the standard coffee-to-water ratio for a balanced cup.
- Wait 4 minutes. A crust of grounds will form on top.
- Break the crust. Gently push the crust back with a spoon and lean in to smell. This is when the aroma is strongest.
- Skim and cool. Scoop off the floating grounds. Let the coffee cool for 5 to 8 minutes. Flavors are easier to taste when coffee isn't piping hot.
- Slurp and score. Take a spoonful and slurp it quickly so it sprays across your tongue. It feels silly, but it really works. Then write your notes.
Prefer a regular cup? You can also brew each coffee in a small French press or pour over. Just keep the method the same for every coffee. Not sure which method to pick? Read pour over vs drip vs French press.
How to Taste Coffee Like a Pro?
The 5 Things to Notice in Every Cup
- Aroma: What do you smell? Chocolate, fruit, nuts, flowers, spice?
- Acidity (brightness): Does it feel lively and juicy, like citrus or apple? Or calm and mellow?
- Body: How does it feel in your mouth? Light like tea, or heavy like whole milk?
- Sweetness: Do you notice honey, caramel or brown sugar?
- Finish: What flavor stays after you swallow, and for how long?
Don't worry about getting it "right." There are no wrong answers. If a coffee reminds you of your grandma's pecan pie, write that down. Over time, you'll start picking up the same notes you see on coffee bags.
What to Expect: Brightness vs. Body in the Starter Flight
Based on Forum Coffee's own tasting notes. Your taste buds may pick up something different, and that's the fun part.
Free Coffee Tasting Scorecard
Copy this simple scorecard for each guest. Score each category from 1 to 5.
| Coffee | Aroma | Brightness | Body | Sweetness | Flavor Notes | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee #1 | __/5 | __/5 | __/5 | __/5 | __________ | __/5 |
| Coffee #2 | __/5 | __/5 | __/5 | __/5 | __________ | __/5 |
| Coffee #3 | __/5 | __/5 | __/5 | __/5 | __________ | __/5 |
| Coffee #4 | __/5 | __/5 | __/5 | __/5 | __________ | __/5 |
Coffee and Food Pairings for Your Tasting
Snacks make a coffee tasting feel like a party. Keep them simple so they don't hide the coffee's flavor:
- Ethiopian Yirgacheffe: lemon bars, berries or shortbread. Learn more about Ethiopian coffee's unique flavor.
- Guatemalan Huehuetenango: chocolate chip cookies or almonds. See the flavor of Guatemalan coffee.
- Crooked Column: banana bread or walnut brownies.
- Sumatran Takengon: dark chocolate or spice cake. Read the tasting notes of Sumatran coffee.
Hosting tip: Try a blind tasting. Label cups with numbers only, have everyone vote for a favorite, then reveal the coffees. People are often surprised by which one they pick. Send guests home with leftover beans, or point them to our coffee gift guide for ideas.
Coffee Tasting FAQs
What is the difference between cupping and a coffee tasting?
Cupping is the professional, standardized way roasters taste coffee, with exact weights, timing and scoring forms. A coffee tasting at home is a relaxed version of the same idea: brew a few coffees the same way and compare them side by side.
How many coffees should I include in a tasting?
Three to four coffees is the sweet spot for beginners. It's enough to notice clear differences without overwhelming your taste buds. A four-coffee flight with different origins and roast levels works best.
How much coffee do I need for a coffee tasting party?
Plan on about 12 grams of each coffee per person. For six guests tasting four coffees, that's around 72 grams of each coffee, so one 12oz bag of each is more than enough, with plenty left over to brew later.
Do I need special equipment to taste coffee at home?
No. A kettle, a few mugs, spoons and fresh coffee are all you really need. A grinder and a kitchen scale help you get more consistent results, but tablespoons and pre-ground coffee work fine for a casual tasting.
Which coffee should I taste first?
Start with the lightest, brightest coffee and end with the darkest, boldest one. In the Forum Starter Flight, that means Ethiopian Yirgacheffe first and Sumatran Takengon last.
Ready to Host Your First Coffee Tasting?
Get four organic coffees in one box and start tasting tonight.
Shop the Starter Flight Shop All Coffee