Click or tap to explore
Start with a broad flavour family, then move outward to more specific flavours. Select any section to see a description and a simple palate-training tip.
The full wheel is best explored on a larger screen, or with the free Chrome extension.
Every flavour, description and palate-training tip is included, arranged for smaller screens.
D. Prior Publishing
How to use the wheel
- Choose a broad flavour family.
- Explore more specific flavours.
- Select a flavour for a description and palate-training tip.
There is no need to identify the most specific flavour every time. Start with the closest description you can recognise.
Full flavour list
What is a coffee flavour wheel?
A coffee flavour wheel groups the aromas and tastes found in coffee into broad families, then into more specific descriptors, so you can move from “fruity” towards something like “blackcurrant” or “citrus”. It gives you a shared vocabulary for describing what’s in your cup, whether that’s a filter coffee, an espresso or a new bag of beans.
Flavour, acidity and mouthfeel
It helps to separate three things: flavour (what you taste and smell), acidity (the brightness or sharpness, which can be pleasant and lively) and mouthfeel (the weight and texture on your tongue). The wheel focuses on flavour, so noting the other two separately will give you a fuller picture. It also includes descriptors for potential faults, such as papery, musty or chemical notes, to help you recognise a coffee that has gone stale or been poorly stored.
Why the same coffee can taste different
Processing, roast level and brewing method all change what you notice. A lighter roast tends to keep more fruit and floral character, a darker roast brings out roasted and bittersweet notes, and grind size, water temperature and brew time can shift the balance again. Each section of the wheel includes a palate-training tip to help you recognise a note, and you don’t need to name the most specific flavour every time.
Free and interactive
The wheel is free and interactive. If you prefer it in your browser, the free Chrome extension gives you one-click and offline access. For more on tasting technique, read my Coffee Tasting Guide.