Indonesian Coffee Flavor Wheel - What is it?

Summary

In this introductory video of the 'Roda Rasa Kopi Indonesia' series, Michelle Anindya and Q grader Kristian Batafor discuss the latest 2020 version of the Indonesian Coffee Flavor Wheel. They explain the revisions made, emphasizing a deeper focus on scent and taste to aid coffee professionals in identifying defects and improving post-harvest processing. They also explore the complexity of coffee flavors, the arrangement of the wheel, and the importance of understanding different roast phases. The video invites viewers to explore the flavor wheel and other sensory tools for a better coffee-tasting experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 2020 version of the Indonesian Coffee Flavor Wheel is an updated tool to help coffee enthusiasts better understand coffee flavors.
• 😀 The flavor wheel was originally released in 2019, and the 2020 update introduces additional tools like aromatic kits and sensory lexicons.
• 😀 The revision of the flavor wheel is not drastic but reflects deeper insights gathered from ongoing research and development.
• 😀 The 2020 flavor wheel emphasizes the relationship between scent and taste, particularly how defects can be identified through flavors.
• 😀 Including defect categories in the flavor wheel helps in identifying issues such as smoky flavors (from roasting defects) and mushroomy notes (from storage mishandling).
• 😀 The flavor wheel illustrates the complexity of coffee, showing how different flavors can emerge in various roasting phases.
• 😀 By cupping light to medium light roasts, the wheel demonstrates how spices can appear in different roast conditions, reflecting the coffee's potential and complexity.
• 😀 The arrangement of the flavor wheel follows a spectrum, from raw, vegetative flavors to dry, complex tastes, helping to classify the flavors more intuitively.
• 😀 The flavor wheel includes common flavors and aromas found during professional cupping, offering a comprehensive tool for both professionals and the public.
• 😀 While the wheel primarily focuses on Indonesian coffee, the team ensures that the tool is applicable to coffee in general, offering universal flavor insights.
• 😀 To explore the flavor wheel further, individuals can download the 2020 version at senimancoffee.com/rodarasa or access it via the app on Android and iOS.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in this video?

The video focuses on the 2020 version of the Indonesian Coffee Flavor Wheel, its updates, and how it can help deepen the understanding of coffee flavors, along with the introduction of aromatic kits and a sensory lexicon.

What significant changes were made to the Flavor Wheel in the 2020 version?

The 2020 version of the Flavor Wheel includes deeper exploration into the areas of scent and taste stains. The changes, though not huge, involve a better understanding of coffee defects and their connection to specific flavors.

Why is the smell and taste stain area expanded in the 2020 Flavor Wheel?

The expansion of the smell and taste stain area allows for more detailed appreciation and communication of coffee flavors. It helps to identify defects, which can provide clues about the coffee’s processing stages, such as roasting or post-harvest handling.

How does the Flavor Wheel help with identifying coffee defects?

The Flavor Wheel helps by associating specific scents or tastes with particular defects. For example, smoky flavors are often tied to roasting defects, while mushroom-like notes might indicate mishandling during storage.

What is the importance of understanding different roast phases in coffee tasting?

Understanding different roast phases helps to explain the complexity of coffee. For example, certain flavors like banana or clove might emerge at different roasting stages, revealing the coffee’s full potential in flavor complexity.

How is the Flavor Wheel structured to represent different flavors?

The Flavor Wheel is structured from the rawest or most vegetative flavors to the driest. It organizes flavors from wet to dry, helping users identify whether a flavor is fresher or drier, with examples like tamarind, cinnamon, and cloves representing different stages.

Does the Flavor Wheel cover all possible coffee flavors?

No, the Flavor Wheel represents the most common flavors found in coffee, especially those that are recognized during professional cupping. It’s not meant to cover every possible flavor someone might imagine, but rather the most frequently encountered ones.

Is the 2020 Flavor Wheel specific to Indonesian coffee?

While the Flavor Wheel can be used for all types of coffee, the drafting team primarily referenced Indonesian coffee due to their greater experience with it. This influence is more prominent in the wheel, but it remains applicable to coffee in general.

Where can people access the 2020 Flavor Wheel?

The 2020 Flavor Wheel can be downloaded at senimancoffee.com/rodarasa, and it is also available digitally as an app on PlayStore (Android) or AppStore (iOS).

What other topics will be covered in the upcoming videos?

The next videos will cover the lexicon and aromatic kit sensory tools, as well as the digital version of the SCA Cupping Form.