When to cup

[Bardo]

I know we have had this discussion before, but I can't find the thread. When do you cup after roasting?

 

[eldub]

We cup immediately after roasting and then the next day and maybe the day after...

 

[Bardo]

Thanks E, I cupped same day. I will try again tomorrow before making any decisions. I cupped a Guatemalen Hixoc, another Yirg and a Sumatra.

 

[namballe]

between 8-24 hours after roasting. although, not set in stone

 

[peterjschmidt]

between 8-24 hours after roasting. although, not set in stone

Your last phrase is the key.

People who cup for a living claim they can cup very light roasts, very soon after roasting, and extrapolate their findings into what the bean will ultimately have to offer. I would admit that, even after cupping hundreds of samples over the years, I cannot make that claim. So I tend to roast the coffee to the level I expect to drink it at, and cup after at least a couple days rest; I need the coffee to present itself at its best to accurately cup it.

 

[JumpinJakJava]

Your last phrase is the key.

People who cup for a living claim they can cup very light roasts, very soon after roasting, and extrapolate their findings into what the bean will ultimately have to offer. I would admit that, even after cupping hundreds of samples over the years, I cannot make that claim. So I tend to roast the coffee to the level I expect to drink it at, and cup after at least a couple days rest; I need the coffee to present itself at its best to accurately cup it.

Could not agree more! I had the privilege to attend a roasting school years ago. Although pressed for time(5 days),
we would roast in the morning and cup in the afternoon. But now I find that fresh roasted coffee is fully developed after 2- 3 days.
So as Peter well stated, this is what your finished product will taste like. JMHO too.