From the plant to the cup: This is how the taste gets into the coffee beans

A single coffee bean contains up to 800 aromatic compounds. A glance next to our counter is enough to discover this: Our black coffee packs with the colorful horizontal stripe not only bear the name and origin of the coffee, but also the three most distinctive flavor nuances – from nutmeg, dark chocolate, roasted nuts, or pecan to jasmine, black tea, mountain peach, or blood orange. Each bean tells its own story. But how does the flavor actually get into the beans?
The foundation for coffee flavor is laid during the growth of the coffee plants. These plants absorb nutrients from the soil and water from their surroundings as they thrive in tropical regions. Various factors, such as soil type, altitude, and climate, influence the chemical composition of the coffee beans. The type and variety of coffee also play a role: Arabica and Robusta – the two main varieties – each have different flavor profiles. The many Arabica varieties, in particular, differ in their specific aroma profiles. Each variety has its own characteristics. For example, the Geisha variety is known for its floral notes, while Bourbon is known for its sweet and chocolatey nuances. As the coffee cherries ripen, they develop their profile, which is influenced by sunlight, rain, and temperature during the ripening process. This ripening is crucial for the development of sugars and acids in the beans, which ultimately determine their flavor. The way the coffee cherries are processed after harvest also plays an important role. Whether they are processed dry or wet also influences the flavor of the beans. This is where roasting comes into play. During this crucial step, complex chemical reactions are triggered that intensify the nuances within the coffee beans. The art of roasting lies in finding the optimal timing to reveal each bean's characteristic flavor. But the preparation method, the grind size, the brewing time, and the coffee-to-water ratio can all have a significant impact on the aromas and texture of the coffee.
Overall, the taste of coffee is a fascinating interplay of nature, science, and craftsmanship. Every cup of coffee is the result of a long journey, from tropical coffee fields, through our roasting machine, to your cup.