Drink Like a Tea Judge: Decoding the Taiwanese Tea Flavor Wheel

How the Flavor Wheel Works 

For tea enthusiasts, every cup tells a story—one of craftsmanship, terroir, and tradition. Yet, with such a vast spectrum of aromas and flavors, even experienced tea drinkers can struggle to articulate what they’re tasting. That’s where the Taiwanese Tea Flavor Wheel comes in.

Modeled after the tasting wheels used in wine and coffee evaluation, this structured guide helps tea lovers break down the intricate flavors found in Taiwanese teas. Whether you’re sipping a fragrant Alishan Oolong or a deeply roasted Tieguanyin , the flavor wheel provides a common language to describe your sensory experience with precision.

How the Taiwanese Tea Flavor Wheel is Structured

The flavor wheel is designed in a series of concentric circles, with each layer refining and specifying the taste and aroma characteristics of the tea. It moves from broad sensory categories to highly detailed descriptors, making it an invaluable tool for both beginners and seasoned tea drinkers.

Inner Circle: General Flavor Categories

At the center of the wheel lie the broadest flavor families , which represent the initial impressions when you first smell or sip the tea. These general categories include:

• Floral – A common note in high mountain oolongs, bringing a sense of freshness and lightness.
• Fruity – Ranging from citrusy brightness to deeper, ripe fruit characteristics.
• Vegetal – Often found in greener teas, offering fresh, leafy, or even buttery flavors.
• Roasted – Prominent in teas that undergo baking or charcoal roasting, delivering warm, toasty undertones.
• Nutty – Present in certain roasted or aged teas, bringing out almond, chestnut, or hazelnut notes.

When tasting a tea for the first time, you can start by identifying which of these broad categories it falls into.

Middle Circles: Refining the Flavors

As you move outward, the general flavor categories break down into subcategories , offering a more detailed picture of the tea’s profile.

For example, under the floral category, you may encounter:

• Light floral – Subtle, fresh, and airy, like white blossoms.
• Strong floral – More intense and perfumed, reminiscent of deep floral fragrances.

Similarly, under roasted , you might find:

• Light roast – Mildly toasty with hints of sweetness.
• Heavy roast – Deep, caramelized, or even smoky in character.

These middle layers help tea drinkers pinpoint flavors more accurately.

Outer Circle: Specific Flavor Descriptors

The outermost ring of the wheel contains the most precise descriptive terms , capturing the subtle nuances within each category.

• A floral tea might specifically exhibit notes of orchid, jasmine, or magnolia .
• A fruity tea could lean toward green apple, apricot, or ripe pear .
• Roasted teas may reveal hints of baked bread, caramel, or toasted barley .

This level of specificity is what allows tea judges and connoisseurs to distinguish between different varieties and processing styles with accuracy.

Using the Flavor Wheel to Identify Flavors from the Living Roots Tea Selection 

When tasting a Taiwanese tea, start by taking a moment to appreciate the aroma of the dry leaves. Then, after brewing, inhale the steam rising from the cup. What are the first aromas that come to mind? Use the inner circle of the wheel to identify the general category. Let's explore some examples from our own tea offerings:

Alishan High Mountain Oolong  : This tea often exhibits strong floral characteristics. Using the flavor wheel, you might move from "floral" to "orchid" and then pinpoint "white orchid" or perhaps "lily of the valley" on the outer ring, noting its delicate sweetness and fresh, clean aroma.

Roasted Alishan High Mountain Oolong  : Taking our classic Alishan and applying a roasting process adds a new dimension. Here, you'll likely start with the roasted category. Moving outward, you might find descriptors like "toast," "caramel," or even "baked bread," depending on the level of roast. The floral notes of the original Alishan might still be present, but they'll be subtly interwoven with the roasty character.

Shan Lin Xi High Mountain Oolong  : This tea is often described as having a creamy, almost milky texture and a distinct vegetal or sometimes even buttery characteristic. On the wheel, you might explore the "vegetal" category, finding descriptors like "sweet pea," "fresh greens," or "cucumber." Some Shan Lin Xi teas even display subtle fruity notes, leading you to explore categories like "melon" or "ripe pear."

Pingling Pouchong  : This lightly oxidized oolong typically presents a lighter, more floral and sometimes vegetal profile. You might find descriptors like "honeysuckle," "gardenia," or "sweet pea shoots," depending on the specific Pouchong. Its lighter processing often preserves more of the fresh, green character of the tea leaves.

Using the Flavor Wheel to Rate Flavors

The flavor wheel can also be used to rate the intensity of different flavors. You might note that our Roasted Alishan has a strong "roasted" character with distinct "caramel" notes, while our regular Alishan has a subtle "floral" character with hints of "white orchid." This allows for a more objective and detailed comparison between different teas.

Using the Flavor Wheel to Discover New Flavors 

By familiarizing yourself with the Taiwanese Tea Flavor Wheel, you can expand your sensory vocabulary and become more attuned to the subtle nuances in tea. This can lead to exciting discoveries as you explore new tea varieties and develop a deeper appreciation for the art of tea tasting.

Beyond the Wheel: Personal Experience

While the flavor wheel is a valuable tool, it's important to remember that taste is subjective. What one person perceives as "honeysuckle" might be described as "jasmine" by another. The flavor wheel provides a common language, but ultimately, your own personal experience and interpretation are what matter most.

Embrace the Journey

Using the Taiwanese Tea Flavor Wheel is a fun and engaging way to enhance your tea-tasting experience. It empowers you to articulate the complex flavors you encounter, make informed comparisons, and embark on a continuous journey of tea discovery. So, grab your favorite Taiwanese tea (perhaps one from our selection!), a flavor wheel, and get ready to decode the cup…and drink like a tea judge!

Leave us a comment and tell us what you taste in our different teas.