Influence of water quality on CO2 degassing and sensory attributes in lampung robusta espresso

Abstract

Water quality plays a crucial role in shaping the sensory attributes and overall taste experience of Espresso Coffee (EC). This study aimed to investigate the influence of water quality parameters, specifically acidity (pH) and total dissolved solids (TDS), on CO2 degassing kinetics and sensory characteristics in Lampung Robusta espresso. Five different brands of bottled water were utilized for EC extraction, and their impact on CO2 degassing behavior, pH, TDS, and sensory attributes was evaluated. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) post-hoc tests were employed to assess the significance of differences in CO2 degassing levels among water brands. Two-way ANOVA was used to examine variations in pH and TDS before and after espresso extraction. Sensory evaluation by trained panelists was conducted to assess sensory characteristics. ANOVA revealed significant differences in CO2 degassing levels among water brands (F= 41.21, p= 1.41E-16), with specific brand pairs exhibiting significant variations identified by Tukey’s HSD test. Brand D water maintained the lowest average CO2 emissions (865 ppm) compared to other brands, indicating its potential in stabilizing the release of CO2 during the EC extraction. Two-way ANOVA demonstrated significant differences in pH (F= 38380.37, p < 0.001) and TDS (F= 1178385, p < 0.001) among water brands before and after espresso extraction. The highest TDS elevation observed in brand A post-extraction (7258 ppm) suggests a potential for over-extraction. The lowest final pH in EC was recorded with brand B (5.11) and the highest final pH of brand A (5.32) Sensory evaluation revealed variations in aroma, acidity, bitterness, body, crema, sweetness, mouthfeel, and flavor notes among espresso samples prepared with different water brands. This study highlights the significant impact of water quality on CO2 degassing and sensory attributes in Lampung Robusta espresso.