Method and apparatus for replicating coffee flavor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The preparation of coffee drinks often requires trial and error to achieve consistent flavor, as the fineness of the coffee grind and other brewing parameters need to be adjusted based on the specific batch of coffee beans, making it difficult for consumers to reproduce desired flavors without a trained barista.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that uses a database to store and retrieve brew parameters associated with specific coffee bean batches, allowing users to input identifiers for coffee drinks and retrieve optimized grind size, water-to-coffee ratio, temperature, agitation time, and other parameters to replicate the desired flavor, using a smart coffee grinder and maker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If coffee beans are ground to a fine consistency to increase extraction efficiency, then the flavor extraction is improved, but the brewing time must be reduced to avoid over-extraction and bitterness
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes multiple brewing parameters simultaneously (grind size, water temperature, brew time, agitation) based on database recommendations to achieve optimal extraction without requiring manual trial-and-error adjustment of each parameter individually
Solution Approach 2:
The database stores pre-determined optimal brewing parameters for different coffee batches, allowing users to retrieve and apply the correct grind size and brewing time settings before brewing begins, eliminating the need for real-time parameter optimization
2Reliability
If traditional brewing methods are used without parameter control, then the brewing process is simple, but the flavor consistency cannot be reproduced across different batches
Solution Approach 1:
The system copies proven successful brewing parameters from a database into the smart grinder and brewing device, allowing exact reproduction of desired flavors without requiring users to understand or manually adjust complex brewing parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the database (which contains pre-analyzed optimal parameters) to automatically adjust brewing settings, providing reliable flavor consistency while keeping the user interface simple and requiring minimal user expertise
3Manufacturing precision
If manual trial and error is used to adjust brewing parameters, then the system is easy to operate, but significant time and expertise are required to achieve desired flavor
Solution Approach 1:
Optimal brewing parameters are predetermined and stored in the database before brewing occurs, allowing users to simply retrieve and apply pre-optimized settings rather than spending time on manual trial-and-error adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The smart grinder automatically determines the correct grind size and brewing parameters by querying the database with the coffee batch identifier, eliminating the need for user expertise or manual parameter optimization while achieving precise brewing settings
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for controlling brewing of a coffee drink and a computer-readable medium storing instructions to execute such a method are presented. The method entails receiving an identifier for the coffee drink, the identifier associated with a set of brew parameters used to make the coffee drink, and retrieving the set of brew parameters from a database storing the set of brew parameters using the identifier.