Unlock the Language of Coffee
A guided experience that helps you understand what you truly enjoy and why, building confidence in every coffee choice you make.
Return HomeWhat This Journey Brings You
The Private Tasting Journey transforms uncertainty into clarity, helping you articulate preferences you might not even realize you have.
Confidence in Choosing
Walk into any cafe or shop knowing exactly what to look for and how to ask for it. No more hesitation or settling for whatever seems safe.
A New Vocabulary
Express what you taste beyond simple "good" or "bad." Describe flavors, body, and acidity in ways that help others understand your preferences.
Enhanced Enjoyment
Notice nuances you've been missing. Your daily cup becomes richer and more satisfying when you understand what makes it special.
When You Can't Quite Put It Into Words
We hear this often: people know they want better coffee, but they're not sure how to find it or what to ask for.
The Uncertainty
You've tried coffees that disappointed and others that delighted, but you can't pinpoint why. When someone asks what kind of coffee you like, you struggle to articulate it beyond vague descriptions. This makes finding consistently enjoyable coffee feel like luck rather than choice.
The Barrier
Coffee language feels exclusive and intimidating. Tasting notes mention fruits and flowers you're not sure you can detect. You wonder if you're missing something obvious or if your palate simply isn't refined enough to appreciate specialty coffee.
The Wish
You'd love someone to sit with you and help decode what you're tasting, validating your perceptions and expanding your awareness. But formal training feels too serious, and you're not sure where to find approachable guidance.
Personalized Guidance for Your Palate
The Private Tasting Journey offers a comfortable, conversational way to develop your coffee understanding.
Tailored to Your Experience
We begin by understanding where you are now. Whether you're just starting to explore specialty coffee or you've been enjoying it for years, we adjust the session to meet you at your current level.
The four coffees selected for your flight represent different profiles, allowing you to notice contrasts that make preferences clearer. We avoid overwhelming technical details, focusing instead on building your confidence in recognizing what you enjoy.
Learning Through Discovery
Rather than lecturing, we guide you through tasting exercises that help you notice elements you might miss on your own. You'll learn to identify body, acidity, and flavor notes in a way that feels natural, not forced.
Questions are encouraged throughout. This isn't a test; it's an exploration where your observations matter. We share professional techniques while keeping the atmosphere relaxed and enjoyable.
Session Structure
Brief conversation about your current coffee habits and what you hope to learn from the experience.
Introduction to tasting methodology, including how professionals evaluate coffee and simple techniques you can use.
Guided tasting of four distinct coffees, with prompts to help you notice specific characteristics in each.
Discussion of your reactions and preferences, identifying patterns that reveal your coffee profile.
Personalized recommendations for coffees, origins, and roast levels that match your discovered preferences.
How Your Session Unfolds
The experience is designed to feel welcoming and engaging, not like a formal class.
Scheduling Flexibility
Choose between virtual or in-person sessions based on what works for you. Virtual tastings include shipped samples that arrive a few days before your scheduled session. In-person options are available at select locations, providing an immersive environment for exploration.
Small Group Option
Consider bringing a friend or partner to share the experience. Groups of two to four people create engaging conversations and allow you to compare impressions. The per-person rate makes this an accessible option for couples or small gatherings.
Lasting Resources
You'll leave with detailed notes about each coffee tasted, including where to find similar profiles. A personalized preference map helps you remember what resonates with you, serving as a reference for future purchases.
Ongoing Connection
After your session, feel free to reach out with questions as you continue exploring. We're happy to offer suggestions when you encounter new coffees or need guidance on applying what you learned.
An Investment in Lifelong Enjoyment
What's Included
- Ninety-minute guided tasting session with a coffee professional, conducted virtually or in-person
- Curated flight of four distinct coffees, each chosen to highlight specific characteristics
- Professional tasting techniques explained in accessible language you can use independently
- Detailed notes on each coffee tasted, including origin information and flavor profiles
- Personalized preference profile based on your reactions during the tasting
- Recommendations for specific coffees, roasters, and origins that match your discovered preferences
- Follow-up support via email for questions about applying what you learned
Why This Matters
This session changes how you experience coffee for years to come. The confidence and vocabulary you develop don't fade after the tasting ends. They become tools you use every time you choose coffee, whether at home, in a cafe, or while traveling.
Participants often mention that the session saved them from future disappointments and helped them find consistent enjoyment. The ability to recognize and request what you like is a skill that pays dividends indefinitely.
Group Advantage
Bringing friends or family creates a shared experience that extends beyond the session itself. Many groups continue exploring coffee together, using their newfound knowledge to discover local roasters and cafes. The per-person pricing makes this accessible for couples or small gatherings who want to learn together.
An Approach Built on Experience
Our tasting methodology combines professional standards with approachable teaching.
Professional Foundation
The techniques we share come from industry-standard cupping protocols, adapted for accessibility. You'll learn methods that professionals use, explained without jargon or unnecessary complexity.
This means the skills you develop are genuine and transferable, not simplified to the point of being unhelpful.
Adaptive Teaching
Every session adjusts to participant responses. If you're struggling to detect a particular note, we explore different ways to recognize it. If something clicks immediately, we build on that momentum.
The pace follows your learning, not a rigid schedule.
Coffee Selection Process
The four coffees in your flight are chosen to represent different flavor territories. One might showcase bright acidity, another deep chocolate notes, a third floral elements, and the fourth balanced sweetness.
These contrasts make differences easier to identify and help you notice which directions appeal to you.
What to Expect
Most people leave with clarity about two or three specific characteristics they enjoy or avoid. This is enough to significantly improve your coffee choices without overwhelming you with details.
The understanding continues developing as you apply these insights to coffees you encounter afterward.
Your Comfort and Learning Come First
We want this experience to feel welcoming and valuable.
Judgment-Free Environment
Your impressions are valid, even if they differ from what we describe or what others detect. Some people naturally identify certain flavors while missing others. This isn't right or wrong; it's how perception works. We adapt our teaching to honor your individual experience.
Satisfaction Focus
If the session doesn't meet your expectations, please tell us. We'll work to address concerns during the experience if possible, and we're open to follow-up conversations if something didn't resonate. Your honest feedback helps us serve you and future participants better.
Exploratory Conversation
Before scheduling, we're happy to discuss whether this session aligns with what you're seeking. If you have specific questions or concerns about the format, reach out. We can adjust certain elements or recommend alternative approaches if those serve you better.
Ready to Discover Your Preferences?
Scheduling a session is straightforward, and we'll make sure it fits your needs.
Initial Contact
Send us a message through the form below. Let us know if you're interested in virtual or in-person, individual or group, and mention any questions you have about the experience.
Brief Discussion
We'll respond within a day to learn about your coffee background and what you hope to gain. This conversation ensures we tailor the session appropriately and answer any questions you have.
Schedule Your Session
Once you're ready to move forward, we'll find a convenient time. Virtual sessions can be scheduled with more flexibility, while in-person options depend on location availability.
Preparation and Experience
For virtual sessions, your coffee samples arrive a few days early with simple preparation instructions. On the day of your session, we'll guide you through the exploration and help you discover what your palate enjoys.
Begin Understanding Your Palate
Confidence in your coffee choices awaits. Let's uncover what you truly enjoy and equip you with the language to find it consistently.
Schedule Your JourneyExplore Other Coffee Experiences
Looking for a different approach? We offer other ways to deepen your coffee connection.
Origin Explorer Box
Dive deep into coffee-growing regions through quarterly deliveries. Each box features three distinct coffees from a single region, complete with farmer stories and cultural context.
Cafe Consulting Partnership
For cafe and restaurant owners seeking to thoughtfully develop their coffee program with ongoing professional support and training.