The ASEAN Coffee Flavour Sphere also known as a Coffee Flavour Wheel offers coffee lovers and professionals a way to explore the distinct, diverse flavours that come from Southeast Asian coffee-growing regions. This sphere is a sensory map that identifies the flavour profiles common to the ASEAN region and helps us appreciate the complexities of these coffees, ranging from fruity and floral notes to deep, earthy undertones. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what makes ASEAN coffees unique, look at the influence of geography and processing methods, and explain how to use the ASEAN Coffee Flavour Sphere as a tool to enhance your tasting experience. Be sure to download the flavour sphere diagram below!
What Makes ASEAN Coffees Unique?
The ASEAN region—encompassing countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia—is known for producing some of the world’s most complex and distinct coffees. From volcanic soil to diverse microclimates, the region’s natural environment plays a critical role in shaping the flavour profiles. Indonesian coffees, for example, are known for their rich, full-bodied textures with notes of dark chocolate and spices. In contrast, Thai and Vietnamese coffees often offer fruity, floral undertones with unique flavours like jackfruit and jasmine.
Processing methods also vary, which affects the taste significantly. Wet-hulled processing, commonly used in Indonesia, gives beans a heavy, earthy quality, while natural or honey processing in other ASEAN countries enhances fruity sweetness.
How to Use the ASEAN Coffee Flavour Sphere
The ASEAN Coffee Flavour Sphere serves as a visual guide to help both novice coffee drinkers and seasoned professionals identify and understand the array of flavours found in regional coffees. Here’s how to use it:
- Identify the Origin: Start by identifying the country of origin of the coffee you are cupping. Each ASEAN country brings unique flavours based on terroir and processing techniques.
- Observe the Flavour Families: The sphere divides flavours into main families—such as fruity, floral, earthy, spicy, and nutty—allowing you to pinpoint specific notes within each category.
- Taste with Intention: Use the sphere during cupping sessions or your daily brew. Taste slowly, comparing your experience with the mapped flavours on the sphere to develop a more nuanced understanding of ASEAN coffee profiles.
Understanding these flavour nuances not only enriches your coffee experience but also builds appreciation for the skills of ASEAN coffee producers who create these unique profiles.
Download the ASEAN Coffee Flavour Sphere
