SENSORY | COFFEE TASTER’S FLAVOR WHEEL
FLORAL
Floral is a core category in the inner ring of the Specialty Coffee Association Flavor Wheel. It refers to delicate, flower-like aromatics—clean, elegant, and often associated with high-quality, lightly roasted coffees.
These notes are shaped by variety, terroir, and processing, and are best perceived through aroma rather than taste intensity.
In tasting, start from Floral and move outward to refine into Floral or Black Tea—two related but distinct expressions.
Subtle distinction matters:
Floral is more direct and fragrant (like fresh flowers), while Black Tea is softer, drier, and more structured.
This is a simplified interpretation based on materials from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and World Coffee Research (WCR).
BLACK TEA
Black tea describes a light floral aroma combined with ripe, slightly sweet, and dry tea notes. This is often found in certain washed coffees, especially those from East Africa, evoking a refined and complex impression similar to high-quality black tea.
FLORAL
Floral in the secondary category is a more detailed extension of the floral theme, helping you dig deeper into specific sensations. The flavors in this group include:
Chamomile: A gentle, sweet, and refreshing chamomile flower scent, evoking a relaxing and delicate feeling.
Rose: A distinctive rose aroma that is soft, layered, and seductive, often lending a luxurious character to the cup.
Jasmine: A crisp, intensely fragrant jasmine note that delivers a fresh, bright, and clear impression.
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