Degustativi

Degustativi is the plural masculine form of the Italian adjective degustativo, meaning relating to tasting or intended for evaluation by tasting. It is widely used in culinary, enological and sensory contexts to describe attributes that can be assessed through tasting or the notes produced during a tasting session. The corresponding noun for the act of tasting is degustazione; degustativi is used to qualify things such as profili degustativi (tasting profiles) or note degustative (tasting notes).

Etymology: from degustare (to taste) plus the suffix -tivo. The feminine singular is degustativa and the feminine plural is degustative; the masculine plural is degustativi.

Common contexts include wine, coffee, chocolate and cheese, as well as broader sensory science. The term appears in phrases such as paneli degustativi (tasting panels) and analisi degustativa (sensory analysis), where multiple attributes like aroma, flavor, texture and persistence are evaluated.

Degustativi should not be confused with degustazione, the act or event of tasting. Degustativi refers to the attributes, notes or processes of tasting rather than the act itself, and is used to describe the sensory profile of a product or the outcomes of a tasting evaluation.