Observer Protocol
A structured framework for observing cup phenomena across temperature stages and post-roast time windows.
This protocol does not describe how to brew coffee correctly. It describes how to observe it consistently.
What This Is
The Observer Protocol defines the conditions under which SUNNY M Lab phenomena are observable. It specifies the temperature stages, time windows, and recording conventions used across all research documentation. Following this protocol makes observations comparable across batches, releases, and observers.
Temperature Protocol
Cup phenomena are observed across two temperature stages:
The cup retains enough heat for volatile aromatics to remain active. At this stage, Alive Cup structural transitions, Hot Cup Memory masking behavior, and warmth-dependent texture are most visible. Sweetness integration is often incomplete at this stage; its presence or absence is informative. First impressions register here and may not represent stable cup character.
As the cup cools, volatile compounds settle and acidity position becomes distinct. Sweetness integration becomes readable. Structural stability is visible in what remains consistent between warm and cool stages. What changes indicates arc behavior, which is the primary site of Alive Cup and Observation Progression documentation.
Temperature measurement is approximate. The goal is to observe across a range, not to achieve exact calibration. A thermometer is useful; a consistent approach is more important than a precise reading.
Time Progression Protocol
A single observation represents one data point. Phenomena like Observation Progression and Cup-Driven Maturity require multiple observations across the post-roast arc. The following windows are used as the default observation framework:
- Day 1–3 CO2 off-gassing phase. Cup presentation is typically muted. Not the primary documentation window. Observations here establish a baseline, not a conclusion.
- Day 4–14 Primary observation window for most phenomena. Aromatic openness increases. Sweetness integration becomes readable. Acidity position stabilizes. Most phenomena become documentable in this range.
- Day 15+ Extended window. Cup-Driven Maturity may continue developing past this point. Terminal Decline Roast behavior, if present, becomes more visible. Decline documentation begins here.
These windows are approximate. Individual batches may shift earlier or later depending on roast profile, density, and processing. The observation arc for each research release is documented in its release notes.
What to Observe
For each observation session, record the following:
- Temperature stage at time of observation (warm or cool)
- Days post-roast
- Aromatic character (volatile and settled)
- Sweetness integration (present, absent, incomplete)
- Acidity position (forward, integrated, recessive)
- Texture and weight
- Structural transitions between sips
- Changes from previous observation session, if applicable
Not all of these will be relevant for every cup. Precision on the dimensions that are active is more useful than completeness across all dimensions.
Phenomena Reference
Observations link to the following documented phenomena:
- Alive Cup AC : structural transitions and flavor states within a single cup across temperature
- Hot Cup Memory HCM : flavors that mask or over-represent at warm temperatures
- Observation Progression OP : flavor arc change across post-roast days
- Cup-Driven Maturity CDM : when the cup improves with time from roast
- No-Crack Roast NCR : development without a visible first crack
- Pre-Crack Maturity PCM : when development completes before first crack
- Roast Event Asynchrony REA : when roast events do not produce expected cup outcomes
- Terminal Decline Roast TDR : when cups decline past their peak observation window
Recording Conventions
Observations are recorded with the following fields:
Boundary conditions are not failures. They define where phenomena end. If a cup does not exhibit expected behavior, document the absence. That record belongs in the Failure Archive.