The Value of Specialty Coffee Cuppers: Perspectives, Roles, and Professional Competencies 📒 This white paper describes the various roles cuppers currently hold within coffee’s value chain, the value of these roles, and the competencies required to successfully operate as a cupper in each context. It is our view that cuppers are highly skilled, not just as “tasters” (although this skill is foundational to the role), but as subject matter experts who may discover, support, ensure, and communicate the quality of coffee while acting as key market linkages within the coffee value chain.