Coffee cupping is a practice that asks us to slow down. It’s a way of noticing details — the fragrance, the bloom, the flavors, the aftertaste. Each step is deliberate, reminding us that value lies not in rushing but in paying attention. In many ways, it mirrors life itself.

Fragrance & Aroma

When coffee is freshly ground, its fragrance is the very first impression. It’s immediate and strong, but it’s only when water touches the grounds that the aroma deepens and reveals new layers. Life works the same way. Our first impressions of people or situations can be powerful, but they’re rarely the whole story. Only with time, warmth, and openness do we uncover true depth.

Bloom & Break

As hot water is poured over coffee, the grounds start to bloom, releasing gas and forming a crust. When this crust is broken, hidden aromas rise. In life, moments of pressure are like that bloom. Stress and challenge release what’s within us, sometimes messy, sometimes beautiful, but always revealing. They show us who we really are.

Slurping

Specialize slurp loudly to spread coffee across the palate, capturing every nuance of flavor. It sounds unrefined, but it’s essential to tasting fully. In life, too, we need to embrace experiences wholeheartedly, even if it feels awkward. Taste life with curiosity, without fear of judgment, and you’ll discover richness you otherwise miss.

Flavor, Body, Aftertaste

A cup of coffee is evaluated on its flavor, acidity, body, and aftertaste. Some coffees are bright and fruity, others heavy and bold, some linger long after the sip is gone. Life is the same — some seasons are light and sweet, others sharp or heavy. Yet when we step back, it’s the balance of all these moments that gives life its fullness.

Reflection

Cupping always ends with reflection: taking notes, scoring, deciding what was memorable. Life, too, becomes more meaningful when we pause to think. Growth comes not from perfection, but from noticing what each experience leaves behind. Reflection helps us carry lessons onward and appreciate how far we’ve come.

Ask yourself:

• When was the last time you discovered something deeper about a person or experience after that first impression?
• How do you give space for depth to reveal itself in your daily life?

-TRC