Most cuppers use 3 spoons for the best ease and efficiency. The Cupper’s Kit contains the 3 spoons you need to get started: 2 Big Dippers & 1 Little Dipper.
Want more detail? You bet. Most cuppers have multiple styles of cupping spoons. This is because we need at least 2 styles to most easily and efficiently perform all cupping functions. What are those cupping functions?
- Breaking. During the cupping process, an aromatic crust of coffee grounds forms on the surface of the cupping bowl. After four minutes, you can break the crust with any style of cupping spoon – Big or Little Dipper.
- Skimming. After you break the crust, you need to use two Big Dippers to skim the remaining bits of foam and coffee particles from the surface of the bowl. Little Dippers aren’t great for this. A single spoon won’t do the trick either. It takes two Big Dippers.
- Slurping. This is when you dip a cupping spoon into the coffee, then slurp directly from the spoon. You can use either style for slurping, but most people prefer Little Dippers. The deeper bowl means less spillage and many find it’s easier to slurp from. The Little Dipper is the slurping and tasting spoon of choice for coffee and food professionals alike.
The Little Dipper Specs
Weight: 56 - 58g
Handle Length: 4.5 in / 11.5 cm
Bowl Diameter: 1.9 in / 4.8 cm
Bowl Depth: 0.5 in / 1.1 cm
The Big Dipper Specs
Weight: 44 - 46g
Handle Length: 5.5 in / 14 cm
Bowl Diameter: 2 in / 5 cm
Bowl Depth: 0.25 in / 0.6 cm
All image used with permission from Umeshiso
