For some, coffee is more than a pick-me-up or a caffeine boost to get them through the day. Coffee can be an art form, and when you sell your product to connoisseurs, consistency and quality are of the utmost importance. These tips about measuring the color of coffee can help you produce a high-quality brew that offers the same distinct flavors and aromas in every batch.
From the moment fresh coffee beans are harvested from the plant, these products are subject to a number of industry standards upheld through the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) and Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). They go through color measurement before roasting, after roasting, and after grinding, along with defect analysis and scent testing.
Once the best beans are initially separated through green grading, they move on to the most important part of preparation — the roasting. This process is where a coffee bean becomes a light, medium, or dark roast, and it is essential in determining color, aroma, and taste. The coffee bean starts green, and throughout the roasting becomes tan, then brown, and ultimately black if roasted for long enough. Every second in this process counts when creating the color and flavor profile you intend.
While the roast level of coffee beans determines the majority of the blend's color and flavors, it's important to note that the temperature at which you roast your beans also plays a role. Roasting the beans quickly at a high temperature may give you the surface color you expect faster, but leave you with underdeveloped flavors inside, resulting in a coffee that's more acidic when ground and brewed. To maintain a color that accurately identifies the roast level, you may want to observe a consistent roasting temperature.
Similarly, once coffee is brewed, it changes color as it cools in temperature. These changes are not as noticeable to the human eye, which is why HunterLab recommends using a spectrophotometer to measure the coffee at the same time throughout every batch.
Finally, know that lighting and location changes can affect the way you measure the color of coffee beans, even when the temperature, roast process, and aromas are the same. Using a scientific tool like HunterLab's ColorFlex-Coffee spectrophotometer ensures that you can make the same measurements with every batch, even as the lighting changes. Request a quote and start improving your coffee color measurement process today.
HunterLab goes beyond color, delivering precise, science-backed solutions that help industries achieve superior quality and appearance control. As a global leader in spectrophotometry, we empower businesses to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and enhance product consistency—directly impacting the bottom line. By combining innovation, real-world expertise, and sustainable measurement solutions, we help manufacturers optimize production, minimize material loss, and meet the highest industry standards. Follow us on LinkedIn