SHIFT BREAK: Cupping is Overrated

SHIFT BREAK: Cupping is Overrated

Author: Chris Deferio March 19, 2026 Duration: 13:53

I love cupping coffee. It is a great way to assess a coffee and learn how to identify defects, attributes, and nuances that allow you to make decisions about buying coffee and how to maintain consistency in roasting. But the issue we have in a lot of coffee is that cupping, a practice designed for the above scenarios, has been miss used in the front of house customer facing world of retail. 

Today on Shift Break we will be talking about cupping's place in coffee quality control and what we should be doing instead of cupping to better manage the quality of our coffee and more clearly communicate a coffee's attributes to customers. 

 

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN! 

KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS 

Are you a coffee shop owner looking to join a community of other owners to help bring perspective, insight, encouragement, and accountability in a well curated setting? 

Then you need to apply to join Key holder Coaching Groups! 

Applications are now open for Spring 2026 Cohort:

APPLY TO KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS

 

KEYS TO THE SHOP®  1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING

If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email 

chris@keystothshop.com

of book a free call now: 

https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min 

 

Related Episodes: 

 

586: How to Dial In Your Cafe

 

SHIFT BREAK! How to Think About Quality

533: Principles of Quality Control

406 : Five Ways to Immediately Improve Your Coffee Quality


Running a coffee shop is about so much more than pulling great shots. It's a complex dance of craft, culture, and commerce that demands a unique kind of leadership. That's the space where Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders lives. Hosted by Chris Deferio, this podcast digs into the real, often unspoken challenges faced by owners, managers, and aspiring leaders in the specialty coffee world. Each conversation moves beyond abstract theory to deliver concrete, usable strategies you can apply directly to your operation. You'll hear from a diverse range of voices, including seasoned coffee professionals and insightful experts from other fields, all focused on the practicalities of building a thriving business. Episodes tackle the full spectrum of running a shop, from daily systems and financial health to fostering a positive team environment and developing your own skills as a leader. The aim is to provide a genuine resource for growth, whether you're looking to refine your barista program, improve your shop's profitability, or scale your vision thoughtfully. Tune in for honest discussions that equip you with more than just inspiration-they offer the tangible keys to building a better, more sustainable coffee business. This podcast understands that your passion is for coffee, but your success depends on mastering the craft of leadership.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders
Podcast Episodes
577: What You Need to Know About Rural vs Urban Coffee Shops [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:47
A listener asked me a question recently about how to approach operating a coffee shop in a rural setting versus a larger city. After a short exchange over email I decided it was some thing that we should probably chat ab…
SHIFT BREAK! Identifying Values on Shift [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:25
The life of your business is going to be determined by how easily and frequently you and your staff can identify, during the workday, behaviors and events that represent the values of your company. The problem is that be…
SHIFT BREAK! Is Anyone Else Slow Today? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:39
You read this kind of question mostly from nervous owners who are glued to their screen and anxiously review every data point with bloodshot eyes. Like a nervous flyer, ever bump on the plan is a sure sign of an imminent…
573: Myths Baristas Believe Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:42
And we are back with the second part of our exploration of common barista myths! I have to say, the main point for both the owner and barista episodes is to encourage everyone to exercise a patience, humility, curiosity,…
SHIFT BREAK! The Urgent Need for Training in Today's Coffee Shop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:53
I was invited to speak recently to a group of coffee professionals on the state of the industry based on what I have experienced through my consulting, career, and interviews. One of the main things I shared was that cof…