In a groundbreaking endeavor to tackle the challenge of a lack of standardized terms for acidity, mouthfeel, and other nuanced coffee characteristics, a team of coffee experts has unveiled the Coffee Personality Wheel. This innovative tool aims to fill the gap that has limited the comprehensive expression of these sensory attributes in the realm of coffee evaluation.

Drawing insights from diverse sources, including coffee panels, literature, and internet resources, the researchers, led by coffee experts Simon D. Williams, Danilo de Andrade, and Li Liu, crafted the Coffee Personality Wheel. This sensory wheel reflects the terminology currently utilized by researchers and coffee professionals, providing a concise list of terms ranging from broad to specific. The format of the wheel is familiar to industry professionals, aligning with the Specialty Coffee Association’s Coffee Taster Circle.

Designed to complement the Specialty Coffee Association’s Coffee Taster Flavor Wheel, the Coffee Personality Wheel serves as a valuable tool for coffee researchers and professionals to articulate the complete sensory experience of coffee, adhering to current industry evaluation standards.

This pioneering study signifies a revolutionary change in the world of coffee evaluation. The Coffee Personality Wheel goes beyond the traditional flavor-focused approach, shedding light on often overlooked sensory dimensions such as acidity, mouthfeel, and aftertaste.

Traditionally, coffee evaluation has predominantly centered on unraveling the complex flavors within each cup, leaving a gap in exploring broader sensory elements. Williams, de Andrade, and Liu sought to address this gap by meticulously collecting 679 sensory terms from various sources, including literature, coffee bars, and online materials.

Through sophisticated statistical analyses, including text mining, big image building, and hierarchical clustering, these terms were condensed into a concise and comprehensive Coffee Personality Wheel. This tool provides a unified language for industry professionals to dissect and articulate the multi-faceted coffee experience.

The implications of the Coffee Personality Wheel extend beyond terminology, acting as a companion to existing flavor wheels and offering clear descriptions of acidity and aftertaste—elements often marginalized in quality assessments. As the coffee industry embraces a more holistic approach to sensory evaluation, the Coffee Personality Wheel emerges as a unifying force, fostering shared understanding among researchers, professionals, and enthusiasts.

The collaborative effort led by Williams, de Andrade, and Liu involved a large-scale survey of 55 specialty coffee roasters, forming the foundation for identifying 679 unique sensory terms. Rigorous statistical analyses and iterative modifications, validated through additional panels, ensured the accuracy and practicality of the Coffee Personality Wheel in real-world coffee evaluations.

The scoping study exposed a disproportionate focus on flavor terms in coffee marketing, prompting the development of a more comprehensive evaluation tool. A testament to careful analysis and validation, the Coffee Personality Wheel successfully distills countless sensory descriptions into 95 refined terms.

Organized in a visually intuitive concentric circle, this tool represents a significant leap forward in expressing and appreciating the precise dimensions of coffee. The study’s innovative approach, spearheaded by Williams, de Andrade, and Liu, marks a paradigm shift in how coffee is evaluated and valued.

By addressing biases in marketing descriptions and strategically compromising on terminology, the Coffee Personality Wheel aligns with industry practices while serving as a universal language for the global coffee community. As this transformative tool takes center stage, it signals a new era in the sensory evaluation of coffee, guided by the visionaries Williams, de Andrade, and Liu.

Beyond the intricate interplay of flavors, acidity, and aftertaste now find their rightful place in the dictionary of coffee professionals. Crafted with precision and dedication, the Coffee Personality Wheel not only aligns with existing evaluation protocols but also paves the way for future adaptations and innovations in the ever-evolving world of coffee estimation.