The Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel
– TASTE THE ORIGIN –
Every good cup of coffee has its unique flavor. The subtlety in flavor reflects the specific environment in which the beans grow and the human effort that has been put into it. There are always many struggles between those who wish to simplify the taste of coffee and those who complicate it. New advances in sensory science have given people the ability to understand the coffee they drink on a deeper level.
One of the highly relevant studies in modern sensory science aimed at discovering the taste of coffee was born. With the cooperation of the American Specialty Coffee Association and World Coffee Research launched the Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel. This document contains a colourful circle indicating the various flavours in the original cup of coffee.
The Birth of the Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel
In 2009, the annual SCAA Conference was held to discuss the pressing issues of the Specialty Coffee industry in a standardized manner. Here, the question of how to easily access and identify flavours in coffee was also discussed throughout the conference. They stated that the old flavor wheel, published in 1995, was not descriptive enough to meet the needs of the rapidly growing global coffee industry.
The SCAA listened and began working with World Coffee Research on this issue. They aspire to build and develop a new, standardized Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel for the coffee-tasting experience and define its taste.
To build a new version of the flavor wheel, SCAA invited professional coffee taste and sensory scientists from UC Davis to participate in the final finishing phase. They will take the items in the Sensory Lexicon, organize them by flavor category, and divide them into subgroups. A system was perfected by creating a “matrix of similarities” and simplified into a new Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel.
Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel Group Classification System
Three long years of research have enabled more than 100 scientists to build a database for standard coffee tasting. This database is named World Coffee Research Sensory Lexicon, which is connected everyday products with coffee taste carefully and methodically.
The part that makes the Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel all the more valuable and exciting are the categorized notes that organize the flavors experienced systematically. Nine main groups with many different sub-categories have similar perceived representations.
This chart organization allows diners to narrow down the flavors easily they are looking for. Note one thing that these are only flavor suggestions for memory purposes, not specific flavors like flavourings. It only applies to Single Origin coffees with natural flavors and good roasting profiles. Many readers mistakenly believe that coffee has been added.
Who can use the Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel?
This does not matter if you are not a coffee expert. Suppose you love discovering the notes in coffee and do this often. You can thoroughly study the coffee flavor circle to understand and find your favourite flavor.
You will quickly become a more intelligent coffee consumer by exploring different coffee flavours. Collect a new vocabulary to discuss with people who love coffee just like you.
How to use the Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel
The best way to discern the difference in taste between coffees is to taste them. This is similar to tasting wine. Taste is not always as apparent as eating a particular food. One technique used is to apply memory to identify notes accurately.
Usually, because smell and taste go hand in hand when it comes to discovering notes in coffee, our minds will store experiences based on those senses. Moreover, our brains seem to retain memories by specific colors.
Starting from the centre of the circle
This is where you will find the most comprehensive coffee flavor descriptions. Sweet, roasted seeds, fruits, floral, etc., are some of the coffee’s most popular flavours. Look at the markings describing the coffee flavor and try to see the color they are paired with. To use scent words correctly, you must understand all the different coffee flavor options that come your way.
Go to sub-categories
Once the leading flavor group has been identified, shift the focus to the smaller item areas on the border you have selected. See if you can recognize the flavors in it for yourself.
You may not have tried all of these particular foods or compounds before, and that is completely normal. Look for more spreads, spices or flavourings you do not know about and read about their flavor profiles.
Make yourself a cup of coffee
Before doing this, let’s look at the factors that affect the taste of coffee. If possible, you should use Single Origin whole beans and grind them at home to enjoy them more fully.
Do not worry too much about the aids in your brewing process. Just try to improve the extraction of coffee in the best way. The essence of a good cup of coffee is not only in the way you brew it. The way you brew the coffee, the ratio of water, the level of roasting and especially the quality of the green kernels are the factors that make a good cup of coffee.
Then take a sip and focus entirely on how you feel. If you think you have found a description that matches the flavor of the coffee you are tasting, try to dig this deeper. Use pen and paper or any other tool that can help you preserve the memory of the taste that you have felt.
The most important thing anyone can do to understand and use the coffee circle is enjoy it daily. Whether it is a quick cup of coffee or a well-rounded coffee shop experience, always think about the taste and aroma of the food you are drinking. Over time, this habit will form in you a truly sophisticated way of enjoying coffee. Moreover, 43 Factory Coffee Roaster is always ready to accompany you to create these good values.
