Coffee Sensory Kits & Training
FlavorActiV provides coffee sensory training kits, GMP Flavour Standards, and calibration programmes used by professional tasters across the global coffee supply chain. Our tools enable roasters, quality managers, and barista trainers to identify, evaluate, and document coffee flavour attributes and defects with scientific precision — supporting consistent quality control from green bean to cup. FlavorActiV supports over 70,000 professional tasters globally, with training delivered in more than 20 languages.
WHAT IS COFFEE SENSORY EVALUATION AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Coffee sensory evaluation is a structured, scientifically validated process used by professional tasters to assess the flavour attributes, defects, and overall quality of coffee at each stage of the supply chain – from green bean sourcing and roasting through to finished brew. It serves as the foundation for quality control for roasters, coffee brands, and certification bodies worldwide.
FlavorActiV’s GMP Pharma Flavour Standards and tasting kits are designed to enhance coffee sensory evaluation. Each standard kit is sold by flavour and contains five individually blister-packaged capsules. A single capsule can be used in a single training/calibration session to train up to 15 people at once.
The video guide to the left shows the standard preparation steps for using Flavour Standards in filter coffee. Get in touch to request preparation steps that are more applicable to your intended use. FlavorActiV recommends beginning tasting sessions with one capsule per 1 litre of water before progressing on to use in coffee and with higher dilutions as flavour understanding and recognition improve. The process helps tasters build a more consistent and reliable ability to identify coffee flavours and defects over time.
COFFEE SENSORY EVALUATION PLAN
1 › Train
Train using FlavorActiV’s GMP Coffee Flavour Standards & coffee tasting kits. Our multilingual team provides training in over 20+ languages.
2 › Calibrate
Receive regular coffee calibration kits to test your abilities. Input data into our proprietary software to benchmark your results globally.
3 › Maintain
FlavorActiV advanced training sessions and industry-specific workshops will see your sensory knowledge continually grow across the range of flavour reference standards.
4 › Improve
Continual optimisation and analysis of support and package coupled with the supply of GMP Flavour Standards.
WHAT COFFEE FLAVOUR STANDARD KITS DOES FLAVORACTIV OFFER?
FlavorActiV offers 34 GMP Pharma-grade coffee flavour standards for sensory training, calibration, and quality control.
ABOUT OUR COFFEE GMP FLAVOUR STANDARDS
Each of our 34 coffee flavours for sensory training has been approved for inclusion within the latest World Coffee Research Lexicon as validated coffee flavour references. Sold in individual flavour packs containing five capsules, our products are designed to deliver consistent results in your Coffee Sensory Evaluation sessions. You can also save by ordering a complete or essential kit.
Please note that the naming terminologies of FlavorActiV, SCA, and WCR differ slightly; therefore, the guide below shows both names. For any related queries, please contact FlavorActiV directly.
WHO DEVELOPED THE FLAVORACTIV COFFEE SENSORY STANDARDS?
FlavorActiV’s coffee defect and attribute flavour standards were developed by FlavorActiV’s expert sensory team alongside James Hoffman of Square Mile Coffee, Spencer Turer and the team at Coffee Enterprises, and John Thompson of Coffee Nexus.
A selection of 24 of FlavorActiV’s flavour standards was evaluated in partnership with World Coffee Research and Speciality Coffee Association at Kansas State University and was approved for inclusion in WCR’s Sensory Lexicon in alignment with the Coffee Taster’s Flavour Wheel.
What Does World Coffee Research Say About FlavorActiV?
“FlavorActiV has changed the math. Their flavour capsules are relevant, accurate, and globally available — just as easy if you’re in Lima as in Limerick as in Lincoln, Nebraska. FlavorActiV saw a need in coffee and invested in R&D to create something completely new. We embrace the same spirit of solving problems through innovation. We’re very excited about what they’ve done.”
Tim Schilling
CEO, World Coffee Research