There’s something magical about sharing coffee with friends. Beyond being a daily ritual, coffee is an experience, and one of the most fun ways to explore it is by hosting a coffee tasting party at home. Just like wine tastings, a coffee tasting (also called a cupping) lets you explore different origins, roast levels, and flavor notes in a fun, social setting.

At Latitude 23.5 Coffee & Tea, we believe coffee is meant to be enjoyed as both a craft and a community experience. Here’s how you can plan a tasting event that brings out the best in every cup.

Step 1: Choose Your Coffees

Select 3–5 different coffees to showcase. For variety, mix origins, roast levels, and styles. For example:

• 🌱 Honduras Meso – A light-bodied roast with notes of milk chocolate and black cherry.
• 🌍 Kenya Direct – Farm-direct, with hints of molasses and tobacco.
• ☕ Espresso Tempesta – Bold and nutty with citrus undertones.
• 🍊 Calypso – A flavorful blend with chocolate and orange zest.
• ❄️ Cold Brew Sachets – For a refreshing twist, brew in advance and serve chilled.

Tip: Keep a balance of light, medium, and dark roasts so guests can experience how roast profiles affect flavor.

Step 2: Set Up Your Tasting Table

Arrange small cups for each guest and label each coffee with its name, origin, and roast. Provide spoons for tasting, and have a carafe of water and some plain crackers or bread for palate cleansing.

Visual idea: Use placemats or cards with notes like “Flavor,” “Aroma,” “Acidity,” and “Body” so participants can jot down impressions.

Step 3: Guide the Tasting

When everyone’s ready, walk your guests through the tasting steps:

1. 1. Smell the beans before brewing to notice initial aromas.
2. 2. Observe the brewed coffee’s aroma—is it fruity, nutty, floral?
3. 3. Sip slowly, letting the coffee coat your palate. Notice sweetness, acidity, and aftertaste.
4. 4. Compare and discuss—this is the fun part! Encourage everyone to share what flavors they detect.

Step 4: Add a Creative Twist

To make your party memorable, try one of these ideas:

• • Pair each coffee with a small snack (e.g., dark chocolate with Espresso Tempesta, orange shortbread with Calypso).
• • Create a coffee tasting scorecard for guests to rate their favorites.
• • Offer a surprise decaf option, like our smooth Espresso Sereno Decaf, to show that flavor doesn’t depend on caffeine.

Why Host a Coffee Tasting?

Coffee tasting parties aren’t just fun, they’re educational and help you appreciate the diversity of coffee. By trying multiple roasts and origins side by side, you’ll see just how much geography, processing, and roasting shape the cup in your hands.

At Latitude 23.5 Coffee & Tea, we’re proud to offer a wide selection of blends, single-origin coffees, and seasonal favorites, perfect for sharing with friends. Hosting a coffee tasting party is a wonderful way to celebrate community, conversation, and the craft of coffee.

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