How to host a coffee tasting at home: three origin flights
Start here: Brew two or three coffees with the same method and water, taste them side by side, and write down what you notice before reading the bag notes. A tasting flight makes the differences between origins easier to discover than three separate mornings do.
The simple setup
- Choose two or three coffees. A sampler is the easiest way to explore without committing to several full bags.
- Use one brewer for every cup. Our brewing guides can help you keep the method consistent.
- Use the same amount of coffee and water for each cup. Label the cups A, B, and C, then taste each one while warm and again as it cools.
- Notice aroma, sweetness, acidity, body, and finish. There is no correct favorite.
Flight one: a gentle landing
Try Brazil Santos, Colombia, and Peru. The current product notes describe cocoa in Brazil Santos, dried orange and berry alongside chocolate in Colombia, and salted caramel with citrus in Peru. The point is to see which balance feels like your everyday cup.
Flight two: follow the contrast
Put Ethiopia Natural, Guatemala, and Bali Blue on the table. The listed tasting notes range from fruit and caramel to chocolate, bright fruit, molasses, and brown sugar. Brew all three the same way, then ask which one you would bring on a trip and which one you would want waiting at home.
Flight three: one place, two ways
Choose one coffee and brew it twice. A pour-over and a French press can make the same coffee feel different. This is a useful reminder that the brewer, grind, and recipe shape the cup along with the beans.
Turn tasting into a routine
Keep a short note: coffee, grind, brewer, ratio, and one sentence about the cup. Once you find a favorite, open that product page and review its available sizes and recurring delivery options. Our subscription guide explains the difference between a repeat coffee order and the free journal email list. Shipping and current terms are confirmed on the product page and at checkout.
Questions people ask
Do I need special tasting equipment?
No. Identical mugs, a familiar brewer, a way to measure coffee and water, and a notebook are enough.
Should I use milk or sugar?
Taste each coffee plain first if you can, then prepare the rest the way you actually drink it. The best choice is the one you enjoy.