Whole lot of slurping going on

Pacific Coffee Research owner Brittany Horn prepares blind samples for the judges at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Competition Finals Thursday at Makaeo Pavilion. (Photos by Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)

Judge Jacqueline Suiter slurps her way through blind samples at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Competition Finals.

Judge Aaron Schank records his scores at the cupping competition finals Thursday.

Head Judge Madeleine Longoria Garcia sups on blind samples Thursday at Makaeo Pavilion.

Miss Kona Coffee Ruby Simone Jordan and Miss Aloha Hawaii Danielle Noelani Balanay learn to slurp coffee at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Competition Finals Thursday at Makaeo Pavilion.

Judges sniff the aroma samples at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Competition finals Thursday at Makaeo Pavilion. See more photos on page 6A. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)