What is the Golden Cup standard?

The Golden Cup standard is a metric defined by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) to measure brewed coffee quality and identify the best in class:

"Coffee shall exhibit a brew strength, measured in Total Dissolved Solids, of 11.5 to 13.5 grams per liter, corresponding to 1.15 to 1.35 "percent" on the SCA Brewing Control Chart, resulting from a solubles extraction yield of 18 to 22 percent"

This ratio of total dissolved solids (TDS) to water is critical because it’s directly responsible for the flavor of the coffee we taste. The Golden Cup standard is achieved through consistent water temperature, saturation time, and turbulence of the grounds. Moccamaster brewers hit this target every time, delivering that ideal coffee flavor and taste in every cup.