COFFEE FLAVOR WHEEL

In the enchanting world of coffee, where each tiny bean carries a story of earth, sky, and humanity, the coffee flavor wheel emerges as a delicate compass, guiding the drinker through the depths of flavor. More than just a technical tool, the flavor wheel is a fusion of sensory science and the art of tasting, helping us name the seemingly elusive emotions that arise with each sip of coffee.

The Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is an iconic tool in the specialty coffee industry. First introduced in 1995 and updated in 2016 in collaboration with World Coffee Research, it has become a cornerstone of sensory exploration.

SCA's coffee flavor wheel

The wheel is designed in multi-layered concentric circles, starting from the center with broad flavor categories such as fruit, floral, nutty, spicy, and roasted. From there, users can trace outward through the layers to identify more specific notes: from “fruit” to “berry,” then to “blueberry” or “raspberry.” This process not only enables tasters to describe flavors with precision but also sparks imagination and personal emotion. A cup of Ethiopian coffee might evoke the scent of jasmine from a home garden, while a Colombian brew may carry the taste of ripe summer peaches.

Below is MMK’s version of the coffee flavor wheel. Based on our current library of aromas, we’ve created a simplified, beginner-friendly version to make it accessible to everyone.

Reference sources:

https://sca.coffee/sca-news/how-to-use-the-flavor-wheel-in-eight-steps

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