Sensory description of beverages of intervarietal hybrids of Conilon and Robusta: Natural and fermented coffees

This study describes the sensory profile of beverages of Coffea canephora hybrids (clones BRS 2314 and BRS 2357) in natural (N) and fermented (F) versions. Flash Profile and Temporal Dominance of Sensations were performed; physicochemical characteristics were evaluated. Increase in total titratable acidity and reduction in pH was observed with fermentation. BRS 2314 beverages had higher contents of 5-caffeoylquinic acid and caffeine. Natural coffees were described as having brown/coffee color, coffee aroma and flavor, roasted aroma and flavor, sweet aroma, and sour taste, and presenting dominance of coffee and tobacco flavors, and bitter and sour tastes. Fermented coffees were described as full-bodied and having non-characteristic, fermented and herbal aromas, astringent sensation, bitter taste and bitter aftertaste, and residual flavors, with the dominance of chocolate, fermented and roasted flavors, and bitter taste. BRS 2357 beverages were characterized by bitter taste and bitter aftertaste. BRS 2314N beverage presented attributes considered positive for quality.

Practical Applications

The results are relevant for the coffee production chain and consumers. Intervarietal hybrids of Conilon and Robusta are grown in an area characterized by family farming and with great prospects for sustainable production (in the Rondônia/BR state, Western Amazon) and are developed to express the best characteristics of both botanical varieties, as the high potential of Robusta coffees for fine cup beverages. The hybrid clones were successfully evaluated by experts, but the results do not necessarily correspond to the consumers' insights into coffee brew quality. In addition, fermentation allows to produce beverages with different nuances. The joint use of quick methodologies for static (Flash Profile) and temporal (Temporal Dominance of Sensations) sensory descriptions provided a closer representation of the consumers' perception of those products. This information brings new market perspectives for high-yield Coffea canephora coffees that are now going through a moment of breaking paradigms regarding quality.