Coffee cupping and evaluation session

Experience Indonesian Coffee Through Guided Evaluation

Taste 8-15 carefully selected samples while learning to identify regional characteristics, processing impacts, and quality indicators.

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What This Session Offers

Evaluating Indonesian coffees becomes clearer when you can taste them side by side with knowledgeable guidance. These cupping sessions provide hands-on experience with diverse samples, helping you understand what makes each origin and processing method distinct.

You'll develop practical skills for assessing Indonesian coffee quality, learn to identify regional flavor signatures, and gain confidence in making sourcing selections. Whether you're new to Indonesian origins or refining your purchasing approach, these sessions meet you at your current knowledge level.

Beyond just tasting coffee, you'll understand the stories behind each cup—where it grew, how it was processed, what makes it unique. This context transforms cupping from technical exercise into meaningful exploration, supporting informed decisions about which coffees align with your program.

Sourcing Decisions Feel Uncertain Without Tasting

Perhaps you've purchased Indonesian coffees based on descriptions alone, only to find the cup profile didn't match your expectations. Written notes and cupping scores provide some guidance, but they can't replace the experience of actually tasting the coffee yourself.

You might wonder how to distinguish between different Sumatran lots, or struggle to understand why some Indonesian coffees show earthy notes while others present brighter acidity. Without comparative tasting and expert context, these variations can feel confusing rather than informative.

Developing your Indonesian coffee program would benefit from hands-on evaluation, but arranging comprehensive sample sets and understanding what you're tasting requires resources and knowledge you may not currently have. What you need is structured opportunity to taste, learn, and ask questions in real time.

Structured Tasting With Regional Expertise

Our cupping sessions combine carefully curated sample selection with guided evaluation, helping you develop practical understanding of Indonesian coffee diversity and quality assessment.

Curated Sample Sets

8-15 coffees selected to showcase regional diversity, processing method impacts, and quality variations within Indonesian origins currently available.

Expert Guidance

Q Grader-led sessions providing context on each coffee's origin, processing, and character while helping you identify what you're tasting.

Detailed Documentation

Comprehensive cupping notes for each sample including origin details, processing information, and scoring, helping you remember and compare coffees later.

Purchase Opportunities

Option to secure lots that interest you from the session, with support coordinating purchases based on your selections.

Your Cupping Session Journey

Whether conducted at our Jakarta facility or via shipped samples to your location, each session follows a thoughtful structure designed for both learning and evaluation. Here's what participants experience.

1

Session Customization

Before your cupping, we discuss your coffee program focus and interests. This helps us select samples that align with your needs—perhaps comparing processing methods, exploring specific regions, or evaluating quality tiers.

2

Sample Preparation

For Jakarta sessions, samples are prepared using standardized cupping protocols. For shipped sample sets, you receive pre-portioned coffee with clear preparation instructions and cupping forms, enabling guided remote evaluation.

3

Guided Evaluation

Our team leads you through the cupping, providing context before you taste each coffee. Learn what to look for in aroma, acidity, body, and finish while understanding how origin and processing influence what you're experiencing.

4

Comparative Tasting

Experience coffees side by side, making comparisons easier. Notice how wet-hulled Sumatra differs from washed Java, or how altitude affects acidity in Sulawesi lots. These direct comparisons build practical understanding.

5

Discussion and Selection

After tasting, discuss which coffees interested you and why. Ask questions about availability, lot sizes, pricing, or anything else relevant to potential purchases. Leave with clarity about next steps if you want to secure specific lots.

Accessible Investment in Coffee Knowledge

Private Cupping Session

$350 USD

Per session, includes 8-15 samples

Session Includes

8-15 carefully selected coffee samples from current availability
Q Grader-led cupping guidance and instruction
Detailed origin and processing context for each coffee
Comprehensive cupping notes and scoring documentation
Digital cupping forms with sample information
Opportunity to secure lots from the cupping
Post-session Q&A and discussion time
Follow-up support for purchase coordination

Jakarta In-Person Sessions

Conducted at our Jakarta cupping facility with full setup and preparation. Sessions typically run 2-3 hours depending on sample count and discussion depth.

Best for those visiting Jakarta or based locally

Shipped Sample Sessions

Pre-portioned samples shipped to your location with cupping forms and preparation instructions. Guided via video call during your cupping.

International shipping additional, quoted separately

Thoughtful Session Structure

Quality Sample Selection

Samples are chosen to provide meaningful comparison and learning opportunities. We include range of processing methods, regional origins, and quality levels relevant to your interests, ensuring each session offers substantive evaluation experience.

Recent November 2025 sessions have featured natural process coffees from Flores, wet-hulled Mandheling from Aceh, and honey processed lots from Bali, allowing participants to compare processing impacts directly.

Educational Focus

Sessions balance sensory evaluation with contextual learning. You'll taste the coffees, but also understand why they taste the way they do—how processing, altitude, and variety contribute to cup character. This knowledge supports better sourcing decisions beyond just this session.

Our Q Grader team adapts explanation depth based on participant experience, from foundational cupping concepts to nuanced quality discussions for experienced tasters.

Realistic Session Outcomes

Participants typically leave with clearer understanding of Indonesian coffee diversity and specific insights relevant to their purchasing needs. Many use sessions to decide which processing styles or origins to pursue, or to calibrate quality expectations for their price points.

Sessions can be scheduled within 1-2 weeks for Jakarta in-person cuppings. Shipped sample sessions require 2-3 weeks to coordinate sample preparation and international shipping.

Commitment to Valuable Learning Experience

Cupping sessions represent time and financial investment. We approach each session with attention to making it genuinely useful for your coffee program development and understanding.

Before booking, we encourage discussion about what you hope to learn or evaluate. This helps ensure a cupping session makes sense for your current needs, and that sample selection will address your actual questions.

Relevant Sample Selection

Samples chosen based on your program focus and current availability, ensuring you taste coffees that might actually interest you for purchasing rather than generic variety.

Patient Guidance

Our team provides explanations at appropriate depth for your experience level, answering questions thoroughly without rushing through the session.

No Purchase Pressure

Sessions focus on evaluation and learning. Purchase opportunities are available for coffees that interest you, but there's no expectation or pressure to buy.

Scheduling Your Cupping Session

Booking a cupping session involves straightforward communication about your interests and simple scheduling coordination. Here's how to begin.

1

Share Your Interests

Contact us with information about your coffee program, what origins or processing methods interest you, and whether you prefer Jakarta in-person or shipped samples.

2

Sample Planning

We'll discuss current coffee availability and suggest sample selection aligned with your focus. This ensures the session addresses your actual evaluation needs.

3

Schedule and Cup

Coordinate timing that works for your schedule. Jakarta sessions can typically be arranged within 1-2 weeks, while shipped samples require 2-3 weeks for preparation and delivery.

Questions about sample selection, session format, or whether cupping would benefit your current coffee program stage? We're happy to discuss before booking.

Taste Indonesian Coffee With Knowledgeable Guidance

Whether you're developing your Indonesian coffee knowledge or making specific sourcing selections, cupping sessions provide hands-on learning and evaluation opportunities.

Schedule a Cupping Session

Or call us at +62 21 7179 4823 to discuss session options and sample selection

Explore Our Other Services

Cupping sessions complement other aspects of Indonesian coffee sourcing. Consider these related services to deepen your engagement.

Single-Origin Sourcing Network

Build direct relationships with Indonesian coffee producers across multiple regions. Access vetted partnerships, transparent pricing, and comprehensive farm information to support informed sourcing decisions.

From $600 USD annually

Explore Sourcing Network

Processing Method Consultation

Understand how wet-hulling, washed, natural, and honey processes affect Indonesian coffee character. Expert guidance for producers expanding capabilities or buyers navigating processing choices.

From $1,500 USD per session

Learn About Consultation