Coffee Flavor Wheel Analysis: The Vast World of Coffee Aromas - Is There a New Version of the Coffee Flavor Wheel in 2019?

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FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Coffee Flavor Wheel

The basic definition of the coffee flavor wheel serves two purposes: one is to record coffee flavors, and the other is to help coffee beginners experience coffee flavors more intuitively. This is achieved by extracting corresponding aromatic substances from different materials and presenting them in the form of flavor profiles.

The variables in coffee flavor are quite numerous. Research has shown that coffee contains thousands of aromatic substances throughout the entire process from green beans to roasted beans. So how can we make these aromatic components in coffee more intuitive and easier to identify?

To make these coffee aromas "visible," researchers have developed very effective methods. They have different people search for aromas in coffee, then find items in daily life that contain corresponding aromas, such as "strawberry flavor" or "nut flavor," and combine these aromas with water-soluble substances in specific ways.

The best or optimal way to present this is through "aroma bottles."

With these aroma bottles, coffee aromas become easier to understand and experience. The coffee flavor wheel serves as a reference for the flavors contained in coffee. All coffee flavors are categorized and presented on the flavor wheel, and different flavor wheels may have different classification methods.

SCAA Flavor Wheel Evolution

The SCAA flavor wheel's earlier version was divided into two sections: one for normal coffee flavors, and another for defective flavors that occur in coffee due to various reasons during processing. The reference for both types of flavors allows us to distinguish which aromas should be present during coffee tasting and which aromas should be noted as potentially problematic.

In the new version of the SCAA flavor wheel, coffee flavors are presented in a single category, with color distinctions. Perhaps this form of presentation makes the flavor contrasts in coffee more vivid and the approach simpler; however, this flavor wheel has greater limitations. It is merely limited to the concept that the darker the coffee bean roast, the darker the color, and other information we want to know is quite restricted. The coffee flavor wheel is only one reference for understanding coffee; to deeply understand coffee, one must combine it with practical experience.

The latest version of the coffee flavor wheel is the 2015 revision, with no newer coffee flavor wheel released in 2019.

Key Takeaway

The flavor wheel appears very beautiful, much like an excellent cup of coffee. It visually and intuitively presents the comprehensive and ever-changing flavors of coffee.

In Summary

FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research house, happy to share coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation, hoping to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold three discount coffee events each month, because FrontStreet Coffee wants to provide the best coffee at the lowest prices to more friends. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for the past six years!

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