Study Reveals Soil And Cherry Bacterial Communities Predict Coffee Flavor Profiles On Colombian Farms – CoffeeTalk

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have discovered that the microbial communities present in the soil and on coffee cherries are significant predictors of flavor profiles in coffee produced on Colombian farms. Farms were strategically selected based on their reputation for high-quality coffee, specifically focusing on those that produced a distinctive specialty flavor profile marked by brown-sugar sensory notes in the previous two harvests.

Flavor determinations were conducted by a trained local Colombian coffee distributor, Carcafé Ltda., based in Bogotá. This distributor specializes in identifying and procuring coffees with the sought-after flavor profile, which has been consistently found in both sun and shade farms within the region.

The study ensured a balanced representation of farm management systems by stratifying the selection process. Farms were classified as sun farms, which have less than 20% canopy cover, or shade farms, which have more than 40% canopy cover. On shade farms, the predominant tree species included Inga, Erythrina, and Pseudosamanea. The experimental design encompassed four subgroups: flavor-positive shade coffee (4 farms), flavor-positive sun coffee (6 farms), flavor-negative shade coffee (6 farms), and flavor-negative sun coffee (6 farms). To minimize variability, all selected farms were part of the same agricultural extension network, which provided uniform technical guidance on agrochemical use, soil management, and harvesting practices.

Soil and cherry sampling involved collecting soil samples from ten randomly selected coffee plants at each farm, using sterilized tools to ensure contamination-free results. Ripe cherries were also picked from the same plants, and all samples were kept on ice before being transported to the Smithsonian’s Center for Conservation Genomics for further analysis.

The study’s key focus included analyzing the soil’s physiochemical characteristics and nutrient compositions. Soil samples were collected and processed in May 2022, with analyses conducted at Soil Health Assessment MegaLab. These investigations utilized advanced techniques such as inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry to examine elemental concentrations and physical properties of the soil.

The findings from this study underscore the importance of soil and cherry bacterial communities in shaping the flavor profiles of Colombian coffee, offering valuable insights for coffee producers aiming to enhance the quality of their products.

Read More @ Nature