Aroma
The fragrance of dry grounds and brewed coffee reveals the first layer of flavor complexity. Professional tasters evaluate both dry and wet aromas.
Every cup tells a story. Discover the nuanced flavors hiding in your favorite Spiritus roasts—from bright citrus notes to rich chocolate depths.
Hover over any section of the wheel to explore different flavor categories. Click to learn more about each taste profile and discover which Spiritus roasts feature these notes.
The fragrance of dry grounds and brewed coffee reveals the first layer of flavor complexity. Professional tasters evaluate both dry and wet aromas.
Sweet, sour, salty, bitter: your tongue identifies these primary tastes that form coffee's foundation. Quality coffee balances these elements.
The magic happens when aroma and taste combine, creating the nuanced notes you experience. This is where the flavor wheel becomes essential.
The weight and texture of coffee on your palate, from light and tea-like to heavy and syrupy. Body is influenced by origin, processing, and brewing.
The best way to develop your palate is to document what you taste. A tasting journal helps you track preferences, remember favorites, and notice how your perception evolves over time.
Print a stack and keep them with your coffee gear. Review past entries to see how your palate has developed.
The Coffee Taster's Flavor Wheel was developed by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) in collaboration with World Coffee Research. It's the industry standard tool for describing and evaluating coffee flavors, used by professional cuppers, roasters, and baristas worldwide.
At Spiritus Coffee Co. in Lombard, Illinois, we use the flavor wheel to evaluate every coffee we roast. Understanding these flavor categories helps you:
Fruity coffees feature notes like blueberry, strawberry, citrus, and stone fruit. These are often found in African coffees from Ethiopia and Kenya, especially when light-roasted to preserve their delicate aromatics.
Chocolate and nutty coffees are crowd favorites, with flavors like dark chocolate, hazelnut, and almond. Brazilian and Colombian coffees frequently showcase these comforting notes.
Floral coffees are prized for their jasmine, rose, and lavender qualities. The famous Panama Gesha and washed Ethiopian coffees are known for these elegant characteristics.
Ready to explore? Browse our current coffee selection and use this interactive wheel to identify the flavors in your cup. Each of our coffees includes tasting notes to guide your experience.