The Architecture of Flavor
A structured approach to taste and aroma in the cup
Service Description
Most of us can tell when a coffee tastes good. Fewer can explain why. This workshop gives you the language and the framework to do both. We begin with taste — the structural foundation of every cup. Through guided tastings, you'll learn to distinguish the many faces of acidity, trace the arc from green bitterness through Maillard browning to pyrolysis, and explore how sweetness emerges through sugar type, osmosis, and caramelization. Each concept is paired with a hands-on reference so the idea lands in your palate, not just your notebook. From there, we move to flavor references — whole fruits chosen to calibrate your sensory vocabulary. You'll taste the difference between commodity and exceptional fruit quality, map the ripeness timeline of a banana, and discover why the tomato may be the most complete sensory reference fruit in existence. The final act introduces two frameworks designed to travel with you to every cupping table. The ABS graph maps acidity, bitterness, and sweetness as intensity curves across time and temperature. The HSV model borrows from color theory to describe aroma with precision: hue (what family), saturation (how clear), and value (how strong). Together, they form The Flavor Curve — a single tool for reading a cup from first sip to last, connecting what you taste structurally with what you smell aromatically as the coffee cools. You'll leave with a sharper palate, a practical vocabulary, and a framework you can apply to every cup you drink. No prior experience required. Just curiosity and a willingness to pay attention.
Upcoming Sessions
Cancellation Policy
We understand that sometimes things come up and you may need to cancel your attendance at one of our coffee workshops. In order to be fair to our other attendees and our instructors, we have the following cancellation policy in place: Cancellations made at least 7 days prior to the workshop date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between 3-6 days prior to the workshop date will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made less than 3 days prior to the workshop date will not receive a refund. If you need to cancel your attendance, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can make the necessary arrangements. Please note that we reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a workshop due to unforeseen circumstances, such as inclement weather or low attendance. In such cases, we will offer a full refund or the option to reschedule to a future workshop.
Contact Details
Memli Coffee Lab, Grand Avenue, San Marcos, CA, USA