‘Coffee cupping' attraction launched in Waterford

Taste Waterford has launched its food tours for the coming season with a new coffee experience being a key draw as it expects demand from Ireland and internationally.

Their latest food experience, the City Select Taste Tour, is a three-hour lunchtime walking tour of Waterford.

Along with five food stops at renowned venues, guests will also experience ‘coffee cupping’, a method to try different coffee beans and understand their flavour characteristics and profile.

Fintan Stanley, owner of Trade Coffee, explained: “We don’t know a food tour in Ireland currently offering coffee cupping.

“Cupping is crucial for quality control, helping roasters determine optimal roast profiles and ensuring consistent quality – so it’s fascinating for coffee lovers.” 

Other venues on the tour include Momo Restaurant, the Stable Yard Food Hall, Phoenix Yard Market, and blaa tastings provided by Walsh’s Bakehouse at The Reg.

Pamela Flanagan is the local tour guide, who talks about the food and drink history of Waterford, whilst highlighting today’s current cuisine.

Taste Waterford now offers four food tours, Richard Povey, Taste Waterford project manager, said: “These tours help local, domestic and international visitors to connect with producers and suppliers that make our region standout for food and drink, and support the local economy.

Richard said they’ve already seen bookings for the new Waterford tour and other experiences, with North America being a key market.

Other Taste Tours include an evening walking tour of Waterford City, and also the foodie town of Dungarvan.

They also offer the Mountain Splendour Taste Tour – a six-hour food experience in the Comeragh Mountains.

A mountain forage, visit to a sustainable farm, and shepherding in action prove highlights amongst guests.

If people want to enjoy the county at their own pace, they can use the self-guided Coastal Discovery Taste Trail, where participants download a map to their phone, and explore the coastline whilst visiting food and drink members en-route.

For information, dates and booking on Taste Tours, visit: tastewaterford.ie/experience/tours