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Quinic Acid

Quinic acid along with citric and malic represent a significant portion of coffee's total acid content. During roasting quinic acid progressively increases as the levels of chlorogenic acid decrease, suggesting that its formation results from the cleavage of the chlorogenic acid moiety. 

Quinic acid concentrations reach a maximum at French roasts then progressively decrease as roasting progresses. Actual temperature figures of when this occurs have yet to be published and vary depending on environmental conditions within the roaster.

Organic Acid Content in Green vs Roasted Coffee

As seen from Table below, quinic acid is at the lower end in concentration when compared to the other acids found in coffee. Upon roasting quinic acid approximately doubles in concentration due to the breakdown of chlorogenic acid (CQA) already present in the green bean. Since the CQA concentration can vary between species and maturation level, its important to take this into account when making comparisons.

Organic Acid content in green and roasted coffee:
organic acids in green roasted coffee

Progressive roasting decomposes CQA and Quinic Acid to form a number of secondary compounds including phenol, catechol, hydroquinone, pyrogallol and several diphenols which are believed to be important coffee aroma precursors.  

 

Coffee Sourness During Cooling

Quinic acid has also been associated with an increase in perceived acidity as coffee infusions are left standing at elevated temperatures. This effect is best illustrated when coffee is left in carafes on heating plates (or airpots) where temperatures can exceed 80°C. The effect is also commonly seen during cupping when coffees cool in temperature and there is a gradual rise in levels of perceived acidity.

coffee storage quinic acid

For those wishing to gain a better understanding of how acids work in coffee - we suggest you enroll in our Coffee Science Certificate (CSC) seminar.

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Read 69476 times Last modified on Tuesday, 18 April 2017 10:18
More in this category: « Citric Acid