Unlock Your Palate: Sensory Master Class for Coffee Competition

In the world of coffee, taste is the key to excellence. Our “Unlock Your Palate: Coffee Competition Taste Training Camp” is designed for contestants and judges who want to stand out in coffee competitions. Through systematic sensory training, you will gain a deep understanding of the flavour structure of coffee, master the competition judging criteria, improve your tasting skills, and add new heights to your coffee career.
Recognized by World Certified Judge Cadence (Emery School of Coffee) & Nelson (JWC Academy)

Description
Course Description
Unit Content

Course Chapter Introduction

Day 1

Sensory Awakening

  • Explain the position and function of taste receptors on the tongue to help judges precisely evaluate sweetness, acidity, and bitterness.
  • Analyze how human sensory organs influence flavor perception and judgment.
  • Explore the impact of competition environments on coffee flavour assessment.

Flavor Fundamentals

  • Conduct taste sensitivity tests to simulate the evaluation of acidity and sweetness in competition coffees.
  • Train sensitivity to sweetness, acidity, and bitterness using competition-grade base taste solutions.
  • Identify mainstream aroma categories and commonly used flavour descriptors in competitions.

Day 2

Advanced Flavour Analysis

  • Practice flavor perception techniques.
  • Learn commonly used competition flavor descriptors and their applications.
  • Delve into the impact of orthonasal and retronasal olfaction on coffee flavour perception.

Competition Sensory Training & Practice

  • Refine flavor description skills to avoid vague terms and use precise language recognized by judges.
  • Write competition scoring card flavor descriptions for multiple coffees, simulating judge-level expression.
  • Analyze competition-preferred coffee origins and typical flavor profiles of popular origins.
  • Evaluate from a competition perspective, scoring attributes such as aroma, acidity, sweetness, and aftertaste.

Day 3

Competition Scoring Standards

  • Taste and evaluate 10 world-class coffees.
  • Compare the length and complexity of different coffee aftertastes to provide scoring references.

Competition Simulation

  • Strengthen flavor memory to enhance sensory recall in competition settings.
  • Share techniques for improving performance under competition pressure, including maintaining composure and focus as a judge.
  • Conduct personalized sensory analysis and review each participant’s progress and results.

Class Bonus 1: Tasting Experience with Award-Winning Coffees

  • You’ll have the rare opportunity to taste coffees that have won accolades in international coffee competitions, roasted and crafted by world-class baristas.
  • Each coffee comes with a unique flavor story, including its origin, processing method, and competition highlights.
  • Our instructor will break down why each coffee stood out in competitions, helping you understand how judges select winners.

Value Added: Train your palate and build a strong memory of world-class coffees, providing a solid foundation for competitions.

Class Bonus 2: Custom-Tailored Course Notes

  • Each participant will receive exclusive course notes personally curated by our expert instructor. These notes include key knowledge summaries, competition techniques, and flavor analysis templates.
  • The notes feature a glossary of professional terms, flavor memory tables, and step-by-step competition scoring processes, making post-course review and practice efficient.
  • These notes are limited-edition and available only to course attendees, ensuring their uniqueness and practical value.

Value Added: A powerful study tool that helps you progress from basic to advanced levels, especially valuable during competition preparation.

Class Bonus 3: Simulated Competition and Judge Experience

  • Participate in on-stage simulated competitions and judging exercises, replicating real competition settings.
  • As a competitor, you’ll experience the entire process, from presenting coffee to answering judges’ questions, familiarizing yourself with competition rules and boosting your stage confidence.
  • As a judge, you’ll collaborate with the instructor to score coffees, learning how to articulate flavour notes and assign accurate scores.

Value Added: A comprehensive experience from competitor to judge, helping you quickly adapt to competition environments and enhance overall performance.

Why Choose Us

Comprehensive Sensory Training

Covering every core aspect, from flavour perception to competition judging.

Hands-On Simulation

Realistic competition scenarios to eliminate nervousness and familiarize yourself with the rules.

Exclusive Resources

Access to top-tier coffee tasting and limited-edition course notes that are hard to find elsewhere.

Professional Instructor Team

Led by experts with world competition experience, guiding you to meet the highest industry standards.

People that is suitable for this course

Competitors planning to participate in coffee competitions
Coffee judges who want to improve their tasting skills
High-end coffee lovers who pursue excellence

Registration Information

Classes will be conducted in Bangkok, Thailand. Course fee is now a special offer USD 1,500 (Original price USD 2,000). Please contact us to request the calendar and select a convenient date for registration.

Course Duration

The program consists of 3 days of classes, with each class lasting 6 hours.

JWC Academy Faculty

Lecturer Nelson Lai

  • WCE World Certificated Judge
  • Bachelor Degree Holder of Computer Science, National Chiao Tung University Taiwan
  • CQI International Certified licensed Arabica Coffee Cupper – Q Grader
  • CQI International Certified licensed Robusta Coffee Cupper – R Grader
  • SCA Professional Certification Holder (Barista Skills, Brewing, Green Coffee, Sensory Skills, Roasting)
  • Coach of Malaysia,Vietnam,Thailand Latte Art National Champion in World Competition
  • Coach of Malaysia Brewer Cup National Champion in World Competition
  • Coach of the Malaysia Champion of La Maison Cointreau 2018
  • Coach of the Global Top 5 Henessy Bartender Award 2023

Lecturer Cadence

  • Founder of Emery School of Coffee & Emery Coffee Roastery
  • Authorized SCA Trainer and Certifier 2017-2026
  • CQI Quality Evaluation Lecturer
  • CQI International Certified licensed Arabica Coffee Cupper – Q Grader
  • CQI International Certified licensed Robusta Coffee Cupper – R Grader
  • CVA Coffee Value Accessor
  • World Barista Championship – WCE Certified Sensory Judge
  • World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship – WCE Certified Sensory Judge
  • World Latte Art Championship – WCE Certified Visual Judge
  • World Coffee Championships (WCC) – Representative

Our Academy

The Depot 11 by JWC

11, Jalan PPU 2A, Taman Perindustrian Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor

JWC The Factory 30

JWC The Factory 30, Jalan Mutiara Emas 5/3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru.

Course Features

Sensory Science and Taste Training

Gain an in-depth understanding of the scientific principles of taste and smell, and enhance sensitivity to basic flavours such as sweet, sour, and bitter. Cultivate the sensory acuity required for the competition through professional taste solutions and aroma exercises.

Flavour Description and Competition Terminology

Learn the flavour description terms commonly used in competitions, master standardized expression skills, avoid ambiguous words, and ensure accurate communication with judges.

Origin Flavour and Cupping Skills

In-depth analysis of the typical flavour characteristics of major coffee producing areas, master standardized cupping processes, improve blind tasting skills, and be fully prepared for the competition.

Simulation Competition and Actual Combat Drills

Through simulating a real competition environment, conducting blind tasting challenges and scoring exercises, cultivate expressiveness and decision-making ability under pressure, and ensure the best performance in the competition.