Nate’s NWRBC Brewer’s Cup Score Breakdown
So, at long last, here are my promised Brewer’s Cup scores!
Analysis first, and then the raw data at the bottom of the post.
1. What the heck happened to my TDS readings? That’s an awfully weak brew. In particular, how come this same cupping process works for cupping coffees, but apparently does not extract properly for brewing? Here’s my draft answer: I think about 1/3rd of extraction happens AFTER the 4 minute mark in cupping. Even though temps are below the standard brewing range, I think the grounds do continue to interact with the brew and strengthen it until it’s closer to 1.25% by the time the cup has cooled sufficiently to taste (say, +10 minutes from the break).
2. TDS only varied .04%, but scores varied by 10 points. My brew was consistently weak, but seemed to be evaluated a bit differently by the three judges. There’s not really a lesson learned here, except that using three independent judges is a good practice, since it minimizes this sort of score variance. Also, it’s interesting but not conclusive that the highest score was for the coffee with the highest TDS reading.
3. Also, considering TDS was close to equal, why were tasting notes so varied? Fruity from one judge. Dry and nutty from another. Those aren’t taste experiences I would describe as comparable. And my brew was “muddy” to one and “clean” to another. Go figure. I’m not sure how to account for that at all, except by judges’ preference. It might have been my brewing, but if so, why was TDS so close together? If anything, I think this shows the interesting variability of the human palate.
I’ll be posting more material on this thread as I work it out. In particular, I’m actively solving for a stronger brew, so we’ll see if I can push those TDS figures up to a respectable range.
Cup 1 Scores: Total = 67.5, TDS = .86%
Cup 2 Scores: Total = 67.25, TDS = .87%
Cup 3 Scores: Total = 77, TDS = .9%
What the heck happened on that third brew! Wow! My TDS ratings were a lot closer, and so were my three scores. (.93 = 71.75, .91 = 69, .87 = 68) But that 77 helped your avg quite a bit! You scored just a sliver better than I did!
Now I’m curious why your TDS scores measured low. It’s not like you were making up your brew method! Was the TDS meter off, I wonder?