F

Chocolate field glossary

Flavor arc

How sensations change from the opening through the middle, late phase and finish.

Sensory · working definition

Use the word
with precision.

Why it matters
Tracking opening, middle, late phase and finish makes a tasting note more repeatable than a flat list of nouns.
Common confusion
A long finish is not automatically a good finish; the character and balance of what remains matter.
Practical example
A bar may open with acidity, move toward cocoa and nuts, then finish with tea-like astringency.
Evidence trail

Read beyond
the definition.

Public institutionGuide for the assessment of cacao quality and flavour

Standardized protocols, glossary and sensory framework developed with experts from producing countries.

Cacao of Excellence / Alliance Bioversity International & CIAT
Search all 86 terms ↗Start the 20-minute primer →