Chocolate field glossary
Bitterness
A basic taste natural to cacao and many plants; intensity alone is not a quality score.
Sensory · working definitionUse the word
Use the word
with precision.
- Why it matters
- Use this term as a repeatable observation, separated from quality scores and origin assumptions.
- Common confusion
- The term “Bitterness” is useful only at the scope defined above; it should not be stretched into a general quality, health, origin or ethics claim.
- Practical example
- When you encounter “Bitterness” on a wrapper, process description or tasting note, ask what observation or record supports that exact use.