Tasting protocols
Catalog of System protocols and an editor to build your own custom ones.
What it is
A tasting protocol is the set of attributes a panelist rates per sample. The Protocols screen lets you browse the System protocols and create, edit, and delete your own.
Pro plan and above. Protocols are part of the Sensory analysis module. On the Starter plan you'll see an invitation to upgrade and you'll be sent back to the hub.
How to get there
- URL:
https://app.areacacao.com/sensory-analysis/protocols - How to reach it: Protocols is not in the sidebar. In the sidebar, under SENSORY ANALYSIS, click the heading or the More in sensory link to open the module hub; inside the hub, under Module areas, open the Protocols card.
Screen sections
The screen is a two-column workspace (master-detail), not a card grid:
Left column — protocol list
Two collapsible sections, each with its own count:
- System (N) — protocols preconfigured and validated by AreaCacao. They're read-only. There are 21 System protocols, among them: Cocoa Mass Evaluation, Finished Chocolate Evaluation, Master Chocolatier, Firm Ganache, Soft Ganache, Soft Caramel, Hard Caramel, Salted Caramel, Fondant, Crunchy Pralines, Liquid Praline, Gianduja, Pâte de Fruit, Fruit Cream (jam), Marshmallow, Chocolate Mousse, Pastry Cream, Buttercream, Marzipan, Egg-Yolk and Almond Paste, and Rolled Truffle.
- Custom (N) — the ones you create. Here you can edit and delete. A colored dot indicates their status, and the ones you've deactivated are flagged as (inactive) (they're not offered when creating new tastings).
Right column — detail or editor
- On entry it shows a waiting state: Select a protocol to view its details or edit it.
- When you pick a System protocol, it opens its read-only detail.
- When you pick a Custom one, it opens the editor in edit mode.
Actions
- Click a System protocol to open its read-only detail.
- Duplicate as Custom (icon on a System protocol): creates an editable copy that opens in the editor.
- Click a Custom protocol to load it in the editor.
- + New protocol from scratch: opens the empty editor to build a new one.
Protocols are composed from the catalog of 79 attributes (see Families, attributes, and sub-attributes).
The detail of a System protocol
When you open a System protocol you'll see its read-only sheet, with a Back to list link, the product type, the number of active attributes, and two sections:
- Attributes the panel will evaluate — the protocol's attributes grouped by category (Base, Complementary, Defect, Mouthfeel) and family.
- Panelist sheet preview — a non-interactive sample of how the sheet will be presented to the taster. As an example it shows only the first 4 attributes of the protocol, with a sample blind code (
### 247) and sliders on a 0–10 scale.
The Create an evaluation with this protocol button in the detail does open the new tasting wizard and works. When you hover over it you'll see a notice that reads "Coming soon — the tasting wizard arrives in an upcoming update"; that text is out of date, because the wizard already exists and is operational. The only thing that still doesn't happen is the automatic protocol preselection: the button links to ?protocolo= followed by the identifier, but the wizard doesn't consume that parameter yet, so you'll have to pick the protocol again in the Protocol step. See create the tasting.
Plan availability
Pro and above. Starter doesn't have access to protocols.