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Sweetness perception and roast effects

How sweetness in coffee is perceived, what compounds contribute to it, and how roast development influences sweetness expression.

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  • Coffee Basics Nerds
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Article 5 of 12 in Sensory Analysis & Flavor Science/
Sweetness perception and roast effects

Sweetness in Coffee

  • Coffee contains very little actual sugar post-roast.
  • Perceived sweetness comes from the balance of aromatic compounds, acids, and degradation products.
  • Sweetness is crucial for balancing acidity and bitterness.

Compounds Contributing to Sweetness

  • Caramelized Sugars: Sucrose breaks down during roasting into caramel-like compounds.
  • Maillard Products: Reactions between sugars and amino acids generate sweet, malty notes.
  • Furans: Add caramel, maple, bready sweetness.
  • Reduced Bitterness/Acidity: Relative perception of sweetness increases when bitterness/acidity decrease.

Roast Effects

  • Light Roast: Retains more sucrose, but high acidity can overshadow sweetness.
  • Medium Roast: Peak sweetness expression—balance of caramelization and reduced acidity.
  • Dark Roast: Sugars largely degraded; bitterness dominates, perceived sweetness drops.

Sensory Perception

  • Sweetness is more about balance than absolute sugar content.
  • When acidity is lively but supported by caramelized notes, coffee tastes bright yet sweet.
  • Excessive bitterness or sourness suppresses sweetness perception.

Practical Insights

  • Cupping: Note sweetness separately from acidity and body.
  • Roasters: Target medium roast for peak sweetness clarity.
  • Baristas: Brew methods highlighting clarity (V60, Chemex) emphasize sweetness in lighter roasts.

Summary

Sweetness in coffee arises from caramelized sugars, Maillard products, and furans, not raw sugar content. Roast development strongly impacts sweetness: light roasts can seem acidic, medium roasts show peak sweetness, and dark roasts lose it to bitterness. Proper roasting and brewing reveal sweetness as the balancing point in specialty coffee.

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Coffee Basics Nerds

Written by : Coffee Basics Nerds

Expert coffee historians and brewing enthusiasts dedicated to sharing the rich heritage and techniques behind your perfect cup of coffee.

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