Exploring Flavour in Colour: The Art of Coffee Tasting
When we talk about the flavour of coffee, we’re really talking about an experience—an intricate dance between aroma, taste, memory and imagination. At Montville Coffee, we’re always exploring ways to deepen our understanding of what’s in the cup, and one of the most powerful tools we use is the SCAA Coffee Taster’s Flavour Wheel.
This iconic wheel—developed by the Specialty Coffee Association of America—is more than just a colourful chart. It’s a visual guide to the complex language of flavour that helps coffee professionals and enthusiasts alike pinpoint the aromas and tastes present in a brew. From the brightness of citrus to the warmth of cocoa, the wheel maps out a spectrum of flavours that can be discovered in specialty coffee.
What makes the flavour wheel especially useful is how it incorporates colour as a guide to sensory experience. Starting from the centre and moving outward, each layer becomes more specific: for example, “fruit” branches out to “berry,” and eventually to “blueberry” or “strawberry.” These flavour notes aren’t just labelled—they’re coloured in ways that subtly hint at their sensory character. Bright yellows and oranges signal lively acidity; deep purples and reds evoke rich, jammy fruit; earthy browns suggest warmth, depth, and grounding.
When we train our team or host cupping sessions, we use the flavour wheel not only as a reference but as a sensory map—a way to connect taste with language, and language with emotion. It’s a reminder that flavour is subjective, yet structured; personal, yet shared.
If you’re curious about how we perceive flavour—and how it shapes the way we enjoy coffee—then we invite you to join us at our upcoming event: Sensploration, part of the Curated Plate festival.
Sensploration is an immersive journey into the senses, where we’ll explore how aroma, texture, sound, and taste converge to create unforgettable experiences. You’ll get hands-on with flavour tools like the wheel, taste coffees from across the region, and learn how to tune in to what your body and mind are telling you.
It’s a celebration of flavour, curiosity, and presence—and we’d love to share it with you.
Learn more and book your place now on the Curated Plate website via the link below —spaces are limited, and you won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind sensory adventure.
