A cup of aromatic coffee in the morning is something hard to imagine the start of the day without? Researchers have figured out how to make the drink tastier at home without resorting to expensive devices.
A group of scientists from the University of Oregon in their recent study found that coffee beans with increased internal moisture create less static electricity. This leads to a richer espresso and coffee savings.
How was the study conducted?
During the experiment, the researchers measured the level of static electricity generated when grinding various coffee beans with different roast levels. No connection was found between static electricity and the country of origin of the coffee or the processing method. However, the researchers were surprised by the presence of another connection — between electrification and moisture level, roast color, and particle size.
Thus, less electricity was generated at higher moisture content in the coffee and with coarser grinding. The team also noted differences in static electricity produced by light and dark roasted coffee.
The scientists discovered that when grinding with added water, extraction occurs more slowly, and coffee from the same beans becomes stronger. Additionally, grinding with water improves the uniformity of the beverage.
How to achieve the perfect taste?
The researchers are confident that to achieve a richer and stronger flavor, a small amount of drinking water should be added to the beans before grinding. Also, adding moisture during grinding helps the beans pack more densely, reducing their clumping.
“Moisture, whether residual moisture in roasted coffee or external moisture added during grinding, affects the charge level. Water not only reduces static electricity and, consequently, decreases mess during grinding but can also significantly impact the intensity of the beverage and the ability to achieve higher concentrations of pleasant flavor qualities,” said the senior author of the study, computational chemist Dr. Christopher Hendon from the University of Oregon.
This hack is best suited for brewing methods that require pouring water over coffee and heating it on the stove, such as in a cezve or a moka pot. However, this technique will not be effective for methods like a French press, where coffee is poured with hot water.
