Panel training
ISO 8586 tests to calibrate and maintain the quality of your panelists.
What it is
The Panel training module lets you run the tests that ISO 8586:2023 requires to calibrate and certify the panelists on your sensory panel.
Two main tests
Basic taste recognition (ISO 3972)
From 2 to 6 tastes (all 6 by default), plus optional repeated cups and control water; about 10 minutes per panelist. Promotes the panelist from naive to initiated.
Threshold detection (ISO 13301:2018)
A 3-AFC series of 4 to 8 concentration levels, about 15 to 30 minutes. Promotes the panelist from initiated to selected.
The four panelist levels
AreaCacao classifies each panelist into one of four ISO 8586 categories, and the training tests are what move them up a level:
naive → initiated → selected → expert
- naive → initiated: pass basic taste recognition.
- initiated → selected: complete at least 3 threshold detection tests in the last 6 months.
- selected → expert: have a passed basic taste test within the last 6 months (on top of the 3 or more thresholds). If they already had one when completing the third threshold, the panelist goes straight from initiated to expert.
The level calculation is deterministic: for initiated, any passed basic taste test counts; selected and expert only look at the last 6 months, where every measured threshold test counts, passed or not. The two tests in this module are the quantitative way to earn it.
When to run them
- When onboarding a panelist (initial calibration).
- Periodically to maintain their ISO 8586 badge (see Panel revalidation and demotion).
- When a panelist shows inconsistency in recent tastings.
How they run
Both tests are scheduled as regular tastings with New evaluation (in the sidebar or on the evaluations screen), choosing the Panel training block in Step 1 of the wizard. The system knows these are training tests and applies the correct protocol without you having to set it up manually (the wizard skips the Protocol step).
When you close the tasting with Close tasting and lock results, AreaCacao computes the calibration results and automatically recalculates each panelist's badge.