Coffee grounds represent a significant waste product of the food industry. Given their abundance and chemical composition, these grounds can be recovered and utilized in a variety of sectors, including health, food, agriculture, energy, materials, and chemistry. This study examines the potential for valorizing coffee grounds waste and their diverse applications based on the phytochemical compounds present in this waste product. The initial phase of the study is dedicated to a comprehensive examination of the literature pertaining to the coffee industry and the coffee tree. The second part presents a summary of the waste generated by the harvest, processing, and consumption of coffee. The third section presents an analysis of coffee grounds from various origins, examining their composition of bioactive elements. The study demonstrated that coffee grounds exhibit a diverse chemical composition and are rich in bioactive compounds. It is noteworthy that all samples exhibited high antioxidant activity, high total polyphenols and total flavonoids, and key phenolic compounds, namely 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA), 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3-CQA), and caffeine, as determined by LC-MS analysis. These findings allow for the formulation of strategies for the recovery of used coffee grounds, thereby creating added value. A preliminary trial is currently underway to assess the potential of coffee grounds extracts in the development of specific bioactive products.

Proceedings: Ayour, J. Valorizing Coffee Grounds: Bioactive Compounds and Innovative Technologies for Industrial By-Product Utilization. Proceedings 2024, 109, 41. https://doi.org/10.3390/ICC2024-18167

Colombia, one of the world’s leading coffee suppliers, is experiencing a decline in its production capacity due to climate change, resulting in fewer suitable areas for growing its mild coffee varieties. The traditional Coffea arabica cultivation regions in the Andes are surrounded by high biodiversity, which cannot and should not be replaced by other agricultural activities. This situation has led to the consideration of cultivating Coffea canephora var. Robusta in Colombia. Identifying areas with the highest productive potential under current and future climate scenarios is necessary. Our objective was to pinpoint regions with the greatest biophysical and socio-economic potential for Robusta coffee cultivation in Colombia. To achieve this, we utilized an integrated model that combines climate suitability assessment and crop yield projections under current and future climate scenarios while accounting for soil limitations, pest risks, and socio-economic conditions. Our results indicated that most potential areas are at elevations below 600 m, thus avoiding interference with traditional and established Arabica coffee regions in Colombia. Under current climate scenarios, potential areas are located in the foothills along the eastern Andean ranges, the high plains of the Orinoquía region, and the humid parts of the Caribbean region. Under a global warming scenario with a 2 °C temperature increase, significant negative impacts on productive potential are projected for the Caribbean region. Consequently, the foothills of the eastern Andes and the high plains of the Orinoquía region emerge as the most promising areas for cultivating Coffea canephora var. Robusta.

Proceedings: Velandia, D.A.S.; Cardona, W.A.; Orozco, C.E.G.; Araujo-Carrillo, G.A.; Kath, J.; Rahn, E.; Byrareddy, V.M.; Porcel, M. Navigating Climate Challenges: Strategic Spatial Modelling as a Proposal to Prepare for Coffea canephora var. Robusta Plantations in Colombia. Proceedings 2024, 109, 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/ICC2024-18168

This presentation builds upon the Sarawak Liberica Refinement Project introduced at the 2023 International Coffee Convention (ICC), focusing on advancements in coffee preparation and business strategies. The study explores how Liberica coffee (Coffea liberica), known for its resilience in extreme climates, is being cultivated, processed, and marketed in the low-altitude equatorial tropical regions of Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia. The discussion will cover innovative processing methods adapted for the humid, hot environment of Sarawak, where annual rainfall exceeds 4000 mm. These techniques, developed in collaboration with hundreds of independent indigenous small plantation owners, are crucial in producing high-quality Liberica beans suitable for premium café offerings. The presentation will cover advancements in roasting techniques specifically tailored for Liberica coffee, highlighting how these methods enhance the unique flavor profile of this lesser-known species. This research illustrates how these roasting innovations contribute to creating the perfect café crème and other specialty coffee beverages, potentially opening new market opportunities for Liberica in the specialty coffee sector. The study will also explore the business aspects of Liberica coffee, including the following: (i) Market positioning strategies for Liberica and its by-products. (ii) Green bean market matching techniques. (iii) Crop economics and sustainability practices. (iv) The development of local coffee culture and its impact on business. The case studies of influential Liberica coffee plantations across Malaysia will be presented, including those utilizing the latest high-yield varieties developed by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI). These examples will showcase how advancements in agronomy translate to improved business prospects and trends in the specialty coffee market. To provide a hands-on experience of these advancements, an on-site coffee cupping activity will be conducted featuring various Liberica varieties roasted and processed using optimized processing and roasting techniques. This will allow attendees to appreciate the quality improvements achieved through these innovations and understand their potential impact on the specialty coffee business.

Proceedings: Lee, K.W.T. From Bean to Cup: Innovations in Liberica Coffee Processing and Market Development in Sarawak, Malaysia. Proceedings 2024, 109, 27. https://doi.org/10.3390/ICC2024-18169

This study examines the acrylamide levels in a range of roasted coffee samples from Bahrain, with a particular focus on traditionally very light roasted coffees. Acrylamide, classified as a Group 2A carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), is formed during the roasting process as a byproduct of the reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars present in coffee beans. The acrylamide levels were quantified using the standard method EN 16618:2015, which employs liquid chromatography in combination with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results demonstrated that the acrylamide levels in very light-roasted coffee samples (646 µg/kg, n = 4), which exhibited characteristics similar to green coffee, were significantly above the European Union (EU) benchmark level for roasted coffee of 400 µg/kg. In contrast, medium-roasted coffee samples (154 µg/kg, n = 4) and dark-roasted coffee samples (62 µg/kg, n = 2) did not exceed the benchmark level. These findings indicate a potential health risk associated with the consumption of very light-roasted coffee, emphasizing the need for awareness and possible mitigation strategies to reduce acrylamide exposure in traditional Arabic coffee practices.

Proceedings: Breitling-Utzmann, C.M.; Schwarz, S.; Lachenmeier, D.W. Acrylamide Levels and Associated Health Risks in Traditional Arabic Coffee Roasts. Proceedings 2024, 109, 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/ICC2024-18170

The spoilage of roasted coffee products is largely suppressed through industry standards regarding storage and packaging. Conversely, biological contamination can be attributed to cross-contamination. Meanwhile, the increasing trend at the upper end of the specialty coffee industry consisting of more complex (e.g., yeast inoculation and fruit infusion) and longer post-harvest processing (e.g., extended anaerobic fermentation) methods might be considered at risk for potential spoilage. Here, we report the first case of a mistakenly confused accumulation of mold mycelium on high-end roasted Coffea arabica beans (Gesha variety from Barú, Panama; natural anaerobic process and greenhouse-dried), ultimately identified through UV/Vis spectroscopy (against a caffeine solution) as a conglomerate of needle-like caffeine crystals growing over the beans’ surface. Biological spoilage was unambiguously discarded due to negligible microbial activity, as shown through colony counting and a mycotoxin analysis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the roast degree (development time after the first crack) had a significant effect on the growth of the crystals upon storage (RT and moderate light exposure). Darker roasts (70 s after the first crack) showed a higher accumulation of caffeine crystals than lighter roasts (20 s after the first crack), most likely promoted by coffee oil secretion. However, micro-crystal growth had already been detected in lighter roasts. While uncommon in roasted beans and, so far, poorly documented, crystal formation relates to increased caffeine availability at the surface through initial seed germination. Through the migration towards the endosperm surface, the xanthophyll antibacterial function is activated. A similar confusion of spoilage can be observed in soluble coffee granules. Yet, here, crystals growth was solely related to the high caffeine concentration. In addition, apparent spoilage in soluble coffee does not have the same economic burden as in high-end roasted coffee, and it also remains unrelated to any physiological process.

Proceedings: Velazquez Escobar, F.; Alrushidan, R.; Ba Shuaib, A. Caffeine Crystal Growth on Roasted Coffee Beans Misidentified as Biological Spoilage. Proceedings 2024, 109, 25. https://doi.org/10.3390/ICC2024-18171

Caffeine is an alkaloid belonging to the methylated xanthine family. It is found in various foods of plant origin, including tea leaves, guarana berries, and coffee beans. Due to its stimulating effect on the central nervous system and the associated increase in alertness and reduction in tiredness, caffeine is specifically added to some foods, such as food supplements. Claims about the positive physiological effects of caffeine are health claims within the definition of the European Union (EU) Health Claims Regulation and must be authorised before use. Despite a positive opinion from the European Food Safety Authority, regulation of the authorisation of caffeine claims was rejected due to a veto by the European Parliament. As a result, health claims are currently not regulated for caffeine in all EU member states, and the transitional on-hold status also no longer applies for most claims. Therefore, products with health claims regarding caffeine are still observed within the context of governmental food-control activities. To investigate how these are currently used on the market, internet research (n = 188) was carried out. The sample included foods that naturally contain caffeine or to which it is frequently added, namely coffee, tea, non-alcoholic soft drinks and mixed drinks, as well as food supplements, including sports nutrition products. Furthermore, the labelling of official samples that were conspicuous in relation to caffeine in the years 2019–2023 (n = 136) was included in the evaluation. The products most frequently advertised with unregulated health claims for caffeine were food supplements (31% of 135 products). On the other hand, health claims were least frequently used for coffee (4% of 77 products) and tea (18% of 33 products). For all product groups, health claims were mainly made regarding improved concentration and performance/energy. The individual effects the health claims referred to differed between the product groups. In the case of coffee and tea, the advertised effects are mainly limited to increased energy and performance in the form of a “kick” or “boost”. A wider range of different health claims are used for food supplements and alcohol-free beverages, including claims relating to stamina and alertness. In general, the tendency was observed for health claims to be advertised more frequently on the internet than on the product labelling itself. This study exposes a critical issue: while scientific evidence supports some health claims for caffeine, they still remain unregulated, complicating enforcement and creating public confusion. Prompt regulatory revision is needed to align these claims with scientific validations, ensuring both accuracy and regulatory compliance.

Proceedings: Höfflin, K.; Kurz, V.; Köder, Y.; Schmied, K.; Bock, V.; Kull, A.-K.; Lachenmeier, D.W. Surveillance of Unregulated Caffeine Health Claims on Coffee and Other Foods—A Market Analysis. Proceedings 2024, 109, 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/ICC2024-18172

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) poses significant challenges for the global coffee industry. All the stakeholders involved, from smallholder farmers to global farming, trading and production corporations, are struggling with compliance. Hereby, the Deforestation Regulation Open Platform (DROP), an innovative AI-driven solution designed to address EUDR compliance challenges, is introduced. DROP utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to manage extensive datasets, including farmer-uploaded images, 3D calculations, maps, ownership data, and export documents. The platform’s development involves collaboration with a globally renowned advisory board and employs experts in AI, computer vision, natural language processing, software development, and cybersecurity. DROP’s effectiveness will be assessed through its ability to integrate and verify various data sources, detect fraudulent attempts, and provide cost-effective compliance solutions. R&D efforts indicate that DROP will successfully offer a transparent, scalable, and secure alternative to traditional certification processes, effectively verifying EUDR compliance at significantly reduced costs compared to current certification expenses. These aspects of DROP provide a differentiating factor within the global coffee industry. The platform’s open-source nature and Linux-inspired business model enable it to provide free and easy access to smallholder farmers, while remaining economically viable, enabled via providing huge cost-savings and efficiency gains for large coffee-related corporations. The conclusion is that DROP represents a promising approach to EUDR compliance, potentially transforming how the coffee industry addresses deforestation regulations, as well as an increase in sustainable operations in general by promoting transparency, reducing costs, and fostering a more equitable and sustainable global coffee sector.

Proceedings: Ilowski, M. Deforestation Regulation Open Platform (DROP): An AI-Driven Open-Source Platform for Economically Sustainable Coffee Production and European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) Compliance. Proceedings 2024, 109, 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/ICC2024-18173

In 2019, the voluntary initiative “Kajve” was established to improve the quality of life of smallholders in Chiapas, a hotspot for Mexican production where coffee often represents the main income source yet low production often keeps households below the poverty line. The initiative’s ambition is to jointly address the issues of low incomes, climate change vulnerability, and yield-threatening diseases, as well as ecosystem degradation due to deforestation, to promote more sustainable supply chains while respecting the legacy of indigenous communities. To date, Kajve has reached over 1500 growers across 37 indigenous communities partly situated within biosphere reserves. The initiative’s efforts rest upon collaboration with institutional and private partners and participatory dialog with growers and their communities. Trainings and extension visits covering Good Agricultural Practices, environmental education, and plantation renovation were offered in cooperation with UNESCO and value chain partners. The former characterized the value of traditional coffee farming practices in a baseline assessment, ensuring culturally appropriate methods that respect the ethnic components underlying coffee cultivation. The initial results highlight up to a 35% increase in coffee yields, a 98% reduction in rust incidence, and an improvement of over two points in cup quality. The initiative currently works with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and Solidaridad Network to implement and assess high-productivity agroforestry system design; complementary interventions for multifunctional landscapes, including replanting native species and water retention structures; circular resource management (e.g., composting, efficient inorganic nutrient application, and coffee wastewater treatment); and the management of pests and diseases leveraging BASF technology. The current challenge is to complete the Kajve intervention model with commitment by actors in the value chain—creating the economic incentive to empower growers to secure their own prosperity while achieving truly sustainable coffee production.

Proceedings: Maggioni, F.; Torres, R.I.G.; von der Ohe, E. The Kajve Initiative: Establishing a Holistic Intervention Model for Prosperous Smallholder Livelihoods and Sustainable Supply Chains. Proceedings 2024, 109, 38. https://doi.org/10.3390/ICC2024-18174

Effective forest degradation monitoring is crucial for devising targeted interventions to curb carbon emissions and safeguard ecosystem services. In Ethiopia, where coffee farming is intricately tied to forest health, understanding and managing degradation are essential for sustaining both agricultural productivity and environmental integrity. This study rigorously assesses the impact of different management interventions on forest degradation in Ethiopian coffee plots, with a specific focus on quantifying carbon emissions. By integrating field data with freely available high-resolution Sentinel-2 imagery and employing a neural network model to predict NDVIs, we achieved a high level of accuracy, as demonstrated by a strong correlation between a predicted greenness indicator (NDVI) and field biomass data (R² = 0.97), while also establishing a robust framework for monitoring forest degradation. Our degradation mapping from 2021 to 2023 demonstrated a notable reduction in degraded areas within managed coffee plots, although baseline plots exhibited a more significant reduction in later years. These findings underscore the transformative potential of combining machine learning with remote sensing to effectively monitor and mitigate forest degradation, enhancing the precision of carbon accounting and promoting sustainable land management practices. This approach holds significant potential for use in company-internal sustainability audits, compliance with the upcoming European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and the generation of carbon credits for both insetting and offsetting carbon emissions.

Proceedings: Kalamandeen, M.; Weyhermüller, K.; Pirker, J. Smart Forests: Leveraging AI-Remote Sensing to Combat Forest Degradation and Carbon Loss in Ethiopian Coffee Landscapes. Proceedings 2024, 109, 40. https://doi.org/10.3390/ICC2024-18175

The present work summarizes the results of a 15-week student project addressing the field of sustainable coffee farming. Coffee farmers often lack scientific knowledge concerning the coffee varieties they cultivate, and having grown coffee for generations, they often have limited knowledge concerning the names of their coffee varieties used on the global market. This leads to significant disadvantages in market positioning. Consequently, farmers often receive lower prices for their coffee as they cannot accurately determine its true market value. In addition, the effects of climate change force farmers to reconsider the varieties they cultivate, as they cannot exhibit stable yield performance due to the changed climate. If farmers are unaware of the potential quality advantages of different coffee types, this prevents them from optimizing growing conditions specific to their climate. As part of a design thinking-based project course, a team of four design and computer science students at Hochschule Mannheim searched for a solution on how to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages for local coffee farmers with the support of digital technology. Coffee Consulate helped the team by connecting them to farmers around the world and sharing their domain knowledge. The student team’s main idea is to bridge the aforementioned knowledge gap by collecting globally distributed data about coffee species in one worldwide accessible, digital system, allowing farmers to be globally connected. Their concept proposes a digital Coffee Atlas for mobile phones, showing where on the planet and under which climate conditions coffee varieties are grown and how these species are named on the global market. The app allows one to identify coffee plants based on pictures uploaded from farmers’ phones. The team developed an implementation roadmap that considered how to subsequently extend the database behind the Coffee Atlas and how to accelerate the crowdsourcing process. AI-based image recognition trained with pictures taken from a living collection of coffee cultivars, like in the botanical garden of Wilhelma (Stuttgart, Germany), and DNA sequences could serve as an initial step for creating the database. Farmers should be motivated to upload pictures of their plants by additional services provided by the app. Therefore, information about coffee species can be crowdsourced with the help of farmers around the world. Such services could include the recognition of plant health conditions, as well as the estimation of the actual market price of a species based on the identification of coffee varieties or the recommendation of species that are better adapted to the actual or expected climate. In its final implementation, the Coffee Atlas will enhance agricultural practices and economic outcomes for farmers and provide a valuable source of data for researchers around the world.

Proceedings: Krischkowsky, E.; Bal, O.; Beyer, C.; Miller, D.; Walter, M.; Kohler, K. Towards a Crowdsourced Digital Coffee Atlas for Sustainable Coffee Farming. Proceedings 2024, 109, 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/ICC2024-18176