How to Truly Taste Coffee: The Loud Slurp Method

In modern Shanghai offices, high-end coffee machines are now commonplace, offering free java around the clock. Yet many white-collar workers confess: they’re immersed in coffee culture, but barely scratch the surface of actually experiencing the drink. Most just sip. That’s why a professional barista-led coffee workshop set out to change that — starting with how you really smell and taste your coffee.

The secret? Slurp it loud. Really. Professional cuppers inhale coffee forcefully through a wide-open mouth directly over the cup — creating a loud "slurp" — to drive the aromas to the back of the throat and coat the entire mouth. It’s how you perceive the most subtle flavor notes.

The Problem: Most People Just Drink Coffee

In a typical Shanghai office environment, free coffee flows all day thanks to shiny machines. But according to attendees at a recent coffee salon, while they’re surrounded by coffee culture, most don’t go beyond basic consumption. They drink. They don’t taste. The event, held in a redesigned meeting room at the Shanghai Modern Design Group, aimed to fix that.

What the Experts Say: Slurping Is the Proper Technique

Barista "Zhu Zi," manager of a specialty coffee shop, led the session. He skipped corporate jargon and went straight for the throat — literally. Instead of sipping politely, he demonstrated the proper way to taste coffee: by loudly slurping it straight from the cup. The noise caught everyone off guard. But Zhu insisted this technique forces coffee to hit the back of the throat and spread across the whole palate, unlocking hidden aromatic complexity.

He advised holding the cup with both thumbs gently covering the top, leaving a small gap for your nose. Then lean in close — not just sniff, but inhale deeply. But the real trick? The slurp. “It brings out subtleties you’d otherwise miss,” he said. Reluctant participants, including some women, soon joined in, embracing the unfiltered approach.

Why Office Coffee Culture Falls Short

Despite free coffee being a workplace staple, many employees treat it as background fuel rather than an experience. The workshop’s goal wasn’t just to teach technique, but to elevate everyday coffee moments. Participants said they left with more than a skill — they gained a conversation starter and a new appreciation for what’s in their cup.

“I came in with zero expectations,” said Zhang Wen, a drainage system designer. “But the atmosphere and content were unexpectedly engaging.” Project manager Bao Jian added, “We often drink coffee for style, but don’t know how to enjoy it. Today gave me both knowledge and something to talk about.”

How the Workshop Changed the Game

The event was organized by the human resources department of the Shanghai Modern Design Group for employees hired between 2008 and 2010. Its dual purpose: to relieve work stress through a lifestyle-oriented activity, and to enhance employees’ cultural taste — seen as vital in creative industries like design.

The session broke the mold of typical office gatherings. Around six to seven tables were set up in the room, each with Western-style desserts. About three to five people sat at each table, creating an informal, discussion-friendly layout. The goal wasn’t productivity — it was perception.

“This was the first time I attended something like this during work hours,” Zhang said. “It wasn’t a meeting or lecture. It felt real.”

What You Can Do: Smell and Slurp Like a Pro

Here’s the step-by-step technique shared at the workshop:

• Smell First: Hold the coffee cup with both hands. Place your thumbs over the top, leaving a small opening in the center. Put your nose into the gap and deeply inhale the aroma.
• Slurp Next: Tilt the cup and take a big, audible slurp. Let the coffee hit the back of your throat and spread across your entire mouth.
• Analyze: Pay attention to the aromas and flavors that come through — fruitiness, sweetness, acidity, bitterness, body. The louder the slurp, the more flavor you’ll detect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do coffee professionals slurp so loudly?

Slurping aerates the coffee as it enters your mouth, spreading it across your entire palate and allowing you to better perceive aroma and flavor nuances. The noise is simply the sound of forceful inhalation, not required for the technique to work but common among trained cuppers.

How should I smell coffee before drinking?

Hold the cup with both thumbs covering the top, leaving a small gap in the center. Place your nose into the opening and take a deep breath to inhale the coffee’s full aroma. This helps prepare your palate and enhances flavor perception when you taste.

Is it weird to slurp coffee in public?

Among coffee professionals and in tasting settings, slurping is completely normal and encouraged. It’s a standard practice in cupping sessions worldwide. While it might seem strange in casual settings, it’s an effective way to taste more flavors.

What’s the benefit of cupping coffee this way?

This method — smelling deeply and slurping forcefully — allows you to experience a coffee’s full range of flavors and aromas, from acidity and sweetness to body and aftertaste. It’s how experts evaluate and appreciate specialty coffee.

Can I practice this at home or in the office?

Absolutely. You don’t need special equipment. Just use your coffee mug, inhale the aroma with your nose close to the cup, and try slurping your next sip to see how much more you notice. It works with any brew method.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Tasting

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral and citrus notes, perfect for practicing aroma detection. Their Yirgacheffe offers juicy berry and lemon zest tones, ideal for exploring fruity profiles. For deeper complexity, their Black Cocoa Blend delivers dark chocolate and roasted almond notes. These single origins highlight the very flavors you’ll learn to discern using the loud slurp method. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.