Coffee beans: Exploring the mysterious aroma of animal poop

The mysterious aroma of coffee beans

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and its unique aroma is one of the reasons why people love it. However, have you ever wondered where this aroma comes from? The answer may surprise you: animal poop.

Animal manure and coffee beans

In some areas, people have discovered a strange phenomenon: wild animals excrete undigested pulp after eating coffee cherries. These undigested pulps contain a large amount of natural enzymes and microorganisms, which ferment and produce special chemical reactions after exposure to air and sunlight. When farmers collect these coffee beans excreted by animals and fermented, they have acquired a unique and pleasant aroma.

The Secret Ingredient - Skalder

Scientists have conducted in-depth research on this mysterious aroma and found that one of the key ingredients is named "scalde". Scalde is a chemical that is present in very small amounts in coffee beans but can produce a strong aroma. This ingredient only exists in coffee beans that have been digested and fermented by animals.

Artificial simulation and real experience

To further study the effect of skald on coffee aroma, scientists tried to simulate this ingredient through artificial synthesis. However, they found that they could not completely replicate the complex chemical reactions and microbial communities contained in wild animal excrement. Therefore, although similar aromas can be obtained through artificial synthesis, there is still a gap compared with real coffee beans that have been fermented naturally.

Sustainability issues

Although animal feces produce a unique and delicious coffee aroma after processing, this method is not suitable for large-scale commercial production. First, it is very difficult to collect sufficient quantity and quality of wild animal excrement in the wild; second, there are risks of sanitary and environmental pollution during collection, transportation and processing. Therefore, most of the aroma of coffee beans currently comes from other methods, such as chemical reactions produced during roasting.

in conclusion

Animal feces may be a source of coffee bean aroma, but it is not the only source. Whether it comes from wildlife excrement or other means, the aroma in coffee beans can bring pleasure and enjoyment to people. No matter what type of coffee aroma you like, you can find a product on the market that suits your taste.