From flavor language to sensory preferences to shared discovery, this intensive workshop educates and challenges the palate and preconceptions. We’ll start by introducing the “Science of Tasting” language using familiar yet complex foods such as cheese or chocolate, practicing describing sensory experiences and how we respond to them. Next, we will introduce the concept of flavor pairing based on the aromatic chemical compounds found in familiar foods. We will guide participants through the experience of selecting foods with complementary aromatic chemicals- an activity that may feel exotic to some and comfortingly familiar to others. We’ll close with a discussion on the power of sensation to align and engage others.

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Taking it up a notch, we will learn the “Science of Tasting” language and apply it to the finer things in life! This exercise provides a ‘crash course’ into best practices for tasting these foods. We’ll go through a guided tour of technique and vocabulary intended to level the playing field a little between experts and novices. Participants will then be invited to visit stations featuring different types of wines, cheeses and chocolates with other reference and pairing foods (e.g. fruits, nuts, olives, pickles) to test our newfound knowledge and appreciation for each other’s points of view.

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Deepening our understanding of something we think we know, this shared experience also introduces a common vocabulary of sensory terminology to discuss what we identify and to describe specific flavors and textures. Participants will sample coffee and compare with other foods and flavors and will be led through a deepening sensory analysis starting with the basic tastes, moving to specific flavors, and then to texture and mouthfeel. Building on our ‘Science of Tasting” method, teams learn a language together that improves empathy with a celebratory feel, perfect to reinforce shared achievements or commitments to goals while exploring and respecting our differences and individual experience.

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Learning something completely new together connects people through new respect for our differences and our similarities. This activity brings out our inner scientists and explores the science of tasting. We’ll work in teams to conduct experiments to explore personal basic taste thresholds, observe how we respond to sensory inputs, and learn a common vocabulary of sensory terminology to describe what we taste. We will build awareness of our personal preferences while we learn to understand what others experience, using the “Science of Tasting” method to build team empathy through flavor.

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