Coffee taster
Also known as: coffee drinks taster, coffee tasting specialist, coffee beverage taster, coffee tasting expert
About this occupation
Coffee tasters taste coffee samples in order to evaluate the features of the product or to prepare blending formulas. They determine the product's grade, estimate its market value, and explore how these products may appeal to different consumer tastes. They write blending formulas for workers who prepare coffee products for commercial purposes.
Essential skills and knowledge
- perform sensory evaluation
- check processing parameters
- coffee characteristics
- prepare specialised coffee
- tolerate strong smells
- apply GMP
- apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages
- educate customers on coffee varieties
- types of coffee beans
- evaluate coffee characteristics
- temperature scales
- create coffee flavour profiles
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Food Science Technicians (O*NET 19-4013.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
- Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
- Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
- Monitor and control temperature of products.
- Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
- Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, Science, Critical Thinking
US median pay: US$52,130 a year (2025), 14,600 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Agriculture or Foods and NutritionO*NET: Food ProductionVery important (3.8)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.1)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyImportant (3.1)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Food Scientists and Technologists
- Chemical Technicians
- Quality Control Analysts
- Agricultural Technicians
- Agricultural Inspectors
- Quality Control Systems Managers
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.