Analysis of off-flavor compounds from over-extracted coffee

Abstract

To verify the volatile compounds contributing to coffee off-flavor, medium roasted Colombian, Sumatra, Ethiopian and light and dark roasted Colombian bean coffees were sequentially and studiously over extracted. Eight espresso samples and eight filter-dripped samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with the solidphase microextraction method and evaluated by sensory tests. In total, 67 compounds were detected, and desirable aroma decreased sharply, while off-flavors increased rapidly after 30 mL of espresso and 200 mL of drip coffee. Percent peak area of 4-ethylguaiacol revealed a linear increase during extraction and was highly correlated with increasing off-flavor, suggesting that it could be an indicator of over extraction. Considering the odor activity value, guaiacol and 4-vinylguaiacol were also contributory compounds to off-flavors. © The Korean Society of Food Science and Technology.