If you're a beginner looking to familiarize yourself with the unique flavors of coffee, the flavor wheel is an invaluable asset. This article will guide you through using this tool effectively to articulate and recognize all that goes into creating any cup of coffee's distinct taste and aroma.
By introducing specialty coffee, the range of unique tastes and aromas was expanded. However, due to different flavor experiences among countries around the world, people had a hard time describing precisely how it tasted.
For instance, one individual insisted that they tasted anise while another was hearing about the spice for the first time.
To ensure that coffee Q-graders worldwide can effectively communicate when evaluating the flavor of coffees, they invented the groundbreaking "flavor wheel" back in 1995. In this article, we'll teach you how to utilize it!
What are taste descriptors
A descriptor is a term used to denote the flavor profile of coffee. For instance, when an experienced Q-grader detects hints of dark grapes, red apple and dark chocolate in a sample, they will assign specific descriptors based on their tasting experience.
Taste descriptors can sound unappetizing and perplexing due to their sheer variety. From sweet berries, fragrant flowers, delectable herbs, juicy fruits and refreshing drinks through legumes and crunchy nuts all the way down to rubber, oil or even concrete - you name it!
Contrary to public opinion, taste descriptors are not created by experts, they truly exist! But a person must first sample professionally made coffee and gain additional flavor experience before one can accurately detect these notes.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no direct link between the flavor of coffee and what it tastes like. If you detect orange notes in your mug, this does not indicate that an actual orange was added. Rather, these aromatic elements were created through the same process used to make coffee thereby producing a similar taste sensation as if an orange had been included.
With its rich complexity of flavor components, it's no surprise that coffee is considered one of the most intricate products in terms of taste. From light and floral notes to robust and smoky ones - you can experience a plethora of flavors just from one cup!
The history of the creation of the "wheel of tastes"
At the outset, we mentioned that the wheel of tastes was created so all coffee aficionados can converse without confusion. In 2016, it underwent an update and received approval from SCA, or Specialty Coffee Association International.
Supplementing the visual wheel of common coffee descriptors, you can also get a book that will help you replicate any unfamiliar aromas.
With the right chemical reagents, you can create any flavor imaginable. No longer will location limit your access to certain products, with this book in hand, you are able to reproduce unique aromas like anise, tangerine or oil from the comfort of your own home! Try out something new today and make a recipe that satisfies all of your senses.
The Le Nez du Cafe fragrance kit offers an exceptional way to hone your skills in distinguishing coffee aromas. Offering miniature scent jars, this unique set makes learning the subtle nuances of identifying each aroma a breeze!
This is what the wheel of tastes looks like now:
How to use the Taste Wheel
The "wheel" concept enables users to seamlessly transition from the inner circle to the outer one, allowing them to pick out the best descriptors for their needs.
To learn how to use the "wheel of tastes", you need:
- Become accustomed with the coffee wheel, visualizing an array of distinctive flavors and fragrances - from sugary and floral aromas to chemical-like smells. Start in the midpoint then slowly venture outward, don't stress if some words feel unfamiliar as this is normal!
- When describing coffee flavors and aromas, use the interactive flavor wheel to become familiar with descriptors that may be unknown. Don't get frustrated if one descriptor is unclear, you can easily discover definitions for them in any grocery store. A brief description of each element within the wheel will help you understand how to best experience the product's distinctive taste.
- To perfect your craft, begin by grinding the beans and taking in their pleasing aroma. Then, commence brewing and pay close attention to both the smell during pre-wetting and while it is actually being brewed - even at this stage you can already start detecting certain descriptors that will come out in its flavor as well.
- The next step is to savor the coffee. In this process, you must pay attention to the flavor wheel and jot down your resulting impressions - this will enable improved awareness during tasting. If you discover flavors that are not listed on the wheel, that's perfectly fine, however if you want to articulate taste in a universal language, strive for using basic descriptors – doing so should facilitate comprehension.
- To accurately describe a flavor, start with the center of the wheel. First pick out descriptors, move on to subgroups and finally pinpoint your specific descriptor. For instance, when tasting coffee that has fruity notes - look at the wheel and narrow down which group it belongs in: berries, fruits, dried fruits or citrus, let's say berries. Then you can hone in even further by selecting what kind of berry specifically is present: blackberry, raspberry, strawberry or blueberry? By using this methodical approach to describing taste you'll be able to truly capture any nuance of flavor!
- If you find it difficult to come up with the right description for a particular taste, don't worry - there's no need to exhaust yourself. You can simply stop at whatever stage of descriptiveness that is comfortable for you.
- Developing your taste experience is a key step to easily and accurately expressing the flavor of coffee when using the wheel. To hone this skill, practice pays off! Sample different fruits and meticulously document their flavors, endeavoring to remember them for future reference. With regular application you can soon master any dish or beverage without difficulty - all thanks to honed taste experience!
Where to find the wheel of flavors
Enhance your coffee tasting experience with the SCA's official Taste Wheel, which is now available electronically or printed in English and several other languages from their online store.