Decoding Cacao: From Bean to Bar
3 Weeks
·Cohort-based Course
Explore cacao’s science and sensory power. Gain tools in neurogastronomy, wellness, and design to elevate innovation and experience.
Decoding Cacao: From Bean to Bar
3 Weeks
·Cohort-based Course
Explore cacao’s science and sensory power. Gain tools in neurogastronomy, wellness, and design to elevate innovation and experience.
Clients include
Course overview
The Neuro-Sensory Journey of Cacao: Science, Flavor, and Experience
Uncover how cacao connects chemistry, flavor, and neuroscience to shape human perception and wellness. This masterclass in neurogastronomy and cross-modal research focuses on cacao’s unique role in taste and smell, showing how its sensory design influences memory, mood, and experience.
You’ll leave with new understanding and practical tools to apply across hospitality, marketing, wellness, and innovation — elevating both your expertise and creative impact.
Who is this course for
01
Hospitality leaders looking to elevate guest experiences through sensory design.
02
Marketing & brand professionals seeking new tools for storytelling and product innovation.
03
Food & beverage innovators exploring cacao’s role in flavor, wellness, and consumer trends.
04
Wellness practitioners interested in cacao’s neurobiological and functional benefits.
05
Students and researchers of gastronomy, neuroscience, and sensory science.
Prerequisites
No formal background required —
This course is designed to be accessible.
Helpful but not required:
Curiosity about cacao, chocolate, or sensory experiences. Familiarity with hospitality, marketing, food & beverage, or wellness fields.
What you’ll get out of this course
A science-based understanding of cacao
its chemistry, bioactives, and role in shaping perception and wellness.
Practical tools in neurogastronomy and cross-modal design
to apply across hospitality, marketing, wellness, and innovation.
Hands-on sensory evaluation techniques
(QDA, Time–Intensity, aroma/flavor wheel) that sharpen tasting and analysis skills.
New creative frameworks
for using cacao as a storytelling medium and experiential anchor.
Expanded professional perspective on the future of cacao
from wellness research to sustainability and innovation.
What’s included
Live sessions
Learn directly from Mindy Yang in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
Maven Guarantee
This course is backed by the Maven Guarantee. Students are eligible for a full refund up until the halfway point of the course.
Course syllabus
3 live sessions • 4 lessons
Week 1
Cacao, Chemistry & the Brain
Week 2
Sensory Tools & Neurogastronomy
Week 3
Cacao Futures & Applied Innovation
Post-course
Dec
17
Session 3
Dec
10
Session 2
Dec
3
Session 1
Bonus
References & Resources
Meet your instructor
Mindy Yang
Mindy Yang is a world-renowned sensory innovator, educator, and entrepreneur working at the intersection of flavor, fragrance, neuroscience, and experience design. As CEO of Perfumarie and co-founder of the World Taste & Smell Association, she has created training programs and sensory strategies for luxury brands, Michelin-starred chefs, and global wellness companies. With deep expertise in cacao, neurogastronomy, and cross-modal research, Mindy brings a unique blend of scientific rigor and creative vision, helping professionals decode flavor, unlock memory, and design meaningful experiences.
Join an upcoming cohort
Decoding Cacao: From Bean to Bar
Winter 2025 Cohort
$500
Dates
Application Deadline
Course schedule
2 hours per week
Wednesdays
11 AM -12:30 PM EST
Live sessions, light homework in between; Optional private coaching is available for students
Weekly projects
1 hour per week
Self-study against home tasting worksheets. Progress will be shared with the cohort.
Learning is better with cohorts
Active hands-on learning
This course builds on live workshops and hands-on projects
Interactive and project-based
You’ll be interacting with other learners through breakout rooms and project teams
Learn with a cohort of peers
Join a community of like-minded people who want to learn and grow alongside you
Frequently Asked Questions
Join an upcoming cohort
Decoding Cacao: From Bean to Bar
Winter 2025 Cohort
$500
Dates
Application Deadline