Lecture Description
This lecture will explore the results of a study looking at divergences between Brazilian and British professional coffee tasters, considering how the commonly used flavours in coffee trading are often Northern Hemisphere in origin and may marginalize producers in coffee-growing nations. By investigating these multisensory dynamics, the study highlights how embodied tasting practices convey meaning and value within the coffee industry. We will present preliminary results from an international, interdisciplinary study that brought together anthropology and experimental sensory science work to look at how professional coffee tasters from Brazil and the UK develop and deploy sensory references.
Blind cupping sessions reveal contextual shifts in flavour descriptions when evaluating coffee for different markets. Complementary interviews and participant observation document the tacit, material, and social dimensions of sensory expertise, and we ask how we can develop more inclusive and equitable communication within the global coffee economy.
Date: Saturday April 26, 2025
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: Room 362ABC
Category: Science
Access: This lecture is free to attend with a Specialty Coffee Expo entry badge. Register to attend Specialty Coffee Expo here.
Please note that lecture sessions are open on a first-come, first-served basis. Early arrival is highly recommended to secure your seat.
Speakers
Dr Sabine Parrish
Dr Fabiana Carvalho