Toward a New Brewing Control Chart for the 21st Century

J Agric Food Chem. 2018 May 30;66(21):5301-5309. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b04848. Epub 2018 Apr 23.

Abstract

This paper describes new results from a base model of brewing from a bed of packed coffee grains. The model solves for the diffusion of soluble species out of a distribution of particles into the flow through the bed pore space. It requires a limited set of input parameters. It gives a simple picture of the basic physics of coffee brewing and sets out a set of reduced variables for this process. The importance of bed extraction efficiency is elucidated. A coffee brewing control chart has been widely used to describe the region of ideal coffee brewing for some 50 years. A new chart is needed, however, one that connects actual brewing conditions (weight, flow rate, brew time, grind, etc.) to the yield and strength of brews. The paper shows a new approach to brewing control charts, including brew time and bed extraction efficiency as control parameters. Using the base model, an example chart will be given for a particular grind ratio of coarse to fine particles, and an "espresso regime" will be picked out. From such a chart yield, volume and strength of a brew can be read off at will.

Keywords: brewing; coffee; diffusion; modeling.

MeSH terms

  • Coffee* / chemistry
  • Food Handling / instrumentation
  • Food Handling / methods*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Particle Size
  • Plant Extracts
  • Porosity
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Taste
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Coffee
  • Plant Extracts