Coffee Service

BASF subsidiary releases coffee roasting technology for small roasters

September 4, 2020

TrinamiX, a wholly owned subsidiary of German chemical company BASF, has introduced trinamiX Mobile Near Infrared Spectroscopy Solutions to enables small coffee roasters to better monitor and control the purchasing and refining process of coffee beans, according to a press release. The technology allows roasters to determine the caffeine and moisture levels of coffee beans.

"With trinamiX NIR spectroscopy solutions, I have significantly more possibilities to ensure the quality of the coffee," Dr. Steffen Schwarz, founder of the Coffee Consulate Coffee Training and Research Center, said in the press release. "The residual moisture, for example, can be measured quickly and easily so that the roasting profile can be adjusted accordingly. Knowledge about the caffeine content allows the roaster to fine-tune coffee compositions towards different taste profiles. This knowledge provides security and allows small roasters in particular to craft the perfect product again and again."

The measurement data of the spectrometer is evaluated in the cloud by intelligent algorithms and displayed within seconds in the app on a smartphone or tablet.

The application of NIR spectroscopy is not limited to the roasting process. Throughout the entire value chain measurements can be made in order to document and track the moisture of the beans — during harvest, transport and storage.

"A higher water content not only results in greater weight with lower yield, but it also carries mold risk," said Patrick Hellberg, manager ofbusiness development Spectroscopy Solutions at trinamiX. "With our technology, merchants and warehouse staff can quickly measure on-site how much moisture is contained in the produce and thus plan more precisely."

Image courtesy of trinamiX.