Effect of Extraction Methods on Aroma Profile, Antioxidant Activity and Sensory Acceptability of Specialty Coffee Brews

Abstract

Specialty coffees from various geographical origins were processed using different extraction methods. Four extraction techniques were employed: cold brew (CB), espresso (ES), French press (FR), and aeropress (AE). The potential health benefits of coffee brews were linked to their antioxidant activity, as determined by the DPPH assay, and total polyphenol content (TPC) measured through the Folin–Ciocalteu reducing-capacity assay. The Columbia (C) espresso coffee type (omni-roasting) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (86.31 ± 0.70) μmol/100 mL, with a TPC value of (44.41 ± 0.35) mg GAE/g. Quantitative analyses of caffeine and chlorogenic acid were conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The evaluation of coffee aroma profiles involved the application of headspace solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) and was complemented by sensory analysis following the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) standard protocol. The predominant volatile compounds found in all samples included furans, phenols, pyrazines, and terpenes. The EY espresso type (medium dark roasting) had the highest levels of most coffee volatiles. The C cold brew type (omni-roasting) was rated as the preferred coffee in terms of its sensory characteristics and flavour. In summary, ES and CB were found to be more effective extraction methods for the parameters assessed.