What is a coffee tasting experience?
A coffee tasting, or "cupping" as professionals call it, is an opportunity to explore the diverse flavors, aromas, and textures that make each cup of coffee unique. Much like wine tasting, cupping offers a way to appreciate the complexity of coffee and gain insight into the journey from bean to cup. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has developed a professional protocol to standardize the cupping process, allowing both professionals and enthusiasts to assess coffee consistently.
During a cupping session, a selection of coffees is prepared, ground, and evaluated for key criteria like aroma, acidity, sweetness, flavor, body, and aftertaste. With simple steps to evaluate each quality—such as smelling the dry grounds, breaking the coffee crust, and tasting each sample with a spoon to capture the full range of flavor notes—the process can reveal the nuances and complexities of different coffee origins and varieties.
The SCA Protocol - a professional approach to coffee tasting
In coffee tastings, it is common to use the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) protocol, an international standard that helps participants experience the full range of coffee’s sensory elements. The process includes key steps: smelling the dry grounds, brewing the coffee, and tasting with a special spoon to ensure the coffee touches all parts of the palate. This protocol allows for consistent, objective comparison of different coffees.
At each tasting, we use the SCA scoring sheet, which evaluates criteria essential to specialty coffee. This includes:
Acidity: the brightness or tartness that gives coffee a lively feel
Sweetness: natural sugars that provide balance and smoothness
Flavor: the specific taste notes, from fruit and floral to chocolatey and nutty
Body: the weight or texture, which can range from light and silky to rich and heavy
Aftertaste: the lingering sensation, or finish, that can be complex and lasting
These criteria are all individually evaluated to make a final score /100 for each coffee. Specialty coffees are coffees with a score above 80.
The diversity of Huila coffee profiles
The Café de Huila Denomination of Origin (DOO), established in 2013, has played a pivotal role in shaping both the identity and economy of the Huila region. Recognized for its complex flavors and distinct quality, Café de Huila DOO assures buyers of authenticity, tracing each coffee’s origin to this unique Andean region. Huila's DOO describes its coffee as rich in nuanced acidity, with pronounced sweetness and balanced body, often showcasing vibrant fruit notes, floral aromas, and hints of caramel or chocolate. This designation has elevated Huila’s coffee on the international stage, bringing economic opportunities and growth to smallholder farmers across the department.
The DOO’s emphasis on quality has driven innovation, with producers introducing new varietals and refining processing techniques to capture and diversify their coffee’s natural characteristics. This evolution amplifies the range of cup profiles available, creating a sensory experience for those tasting Huila coffee—from bright citrus and berry-like acidity to deep cocoa and floral notes.
Coffee Tasting for Everyone
If you’re familiar with wine tasting, coffee cupping will feel surprisingly similar, with its emphasis on aroma, flavor, and overall profile. Both involve careful comparison and encourage an appreciation of terroir—the effect of soil, climate, and region-specific practices on the final product. For newcomers, it’s a fascinating way to explore the complexity behind every cup. You don’t need any specific skills to participate in a coffee tasting session, just an interest for coffee and flavors!
Why Join a Coffee Tasting in Huila?
Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or simply curious, our coffee tasting is an engaging experience that teaches you to recognize and appreciate specialty coffee’s finer points. Our local experts, with extensive knowledge in coffee production and tasting, guide you through the tasting process, helping you connect with Colombia’s coffee heritage. A visit to Huila wouldn’t be complete without immersing yourself in this essential part of Colombian culture.
Join us in Huila for an unforgettable coffee tasting experience. It’s an opportunity to deepen your connection to Colombian coffee.
You can also take part in a coffee farm tour to deepen your understanding of coffee production and meet some of the remarkable people behind each cup.