Structured Coffee Composition for Flexible Brewing Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee brewing technologies face challenges in determining the correct dose of coffee for brewing pots of different sizes and in achieving consistent coffee strength, as well as in efficiently brewing varying amounts without requiring specific brewer configurations.
Innovation Solution
A structured coffee composition comprising ground roast coffee particles coated with coffee extracts, forming a porous structure with a specific weight ratio, allowing for flexible brewing quantities and consistent strength across various brewing methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standardized filter packs with predetermined coffee amounts are used, then brewing multiple servings is simplified, but the ability to brew single or few servings is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee composition is divided into individual single-serving portions contained in separate filter packs. Each filter pack contains a predetermined amount of coffee composition designed for one serving, allowing consumers to easily handle and dispense individual portions without managing large bulk quantities. This segmentation maintains ease of operation while enabling flexible brewing choices.
Solution Approach 2:
The coffee composition in each filter pack is formulated to be universally applicable across multiple brewing methods and serving sizes. The composition can be used in automatic drip coffee makers, single serving coffee makers, percolating coffee makers, and other brewing devices. This multi-functionality allows a single filter pack design to serve multiple purposes while maintaining ease of use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If single serving coffee compositions are used, then brewing flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to specific brewer configurations required
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee composition is specifically formulated to be compatible with multiple types of brewing devices including automatic drip coffee makers, single serving coffee makers, percolating coffee makers, moka pots, French presses, vacuum coffee makers, espresso machines, and cold brew systems. This universal compatibility eliminates the need for consumers to purchase specialized equipment for different brewing methods, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining brewing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The coffee composition's physical and chemical parameters (particle size, solubility, extraction rate) are optimized to perform well across a wide range of brewing conditions. By adjusting these parameters, the composition can adapt to different water temperatures, brewing times, and device mechanisms without requiring complex configuration changes or specialized equipment.
3Manufacturing precision
If ground roast coffee particles are coated with coffee extracts, then brew solids and flavor consistency are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coating process uses controlled parameter changes in terms of coffee extract concentration, application method (spray coating, dip coating, or mixing), and drying conditions. By optimizing these parameters, the coating can be applied uniformly to ground roast coffee particles without requiring complex multi-step processes or specialized equipment, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving flavor consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The coffee composition creates a composite structure by coating ground roast coffee particles with coffee extracts. This composite material combines the benefits of roasted coffee (flavor, aroma) with the advantages of coffee extracts (solubility, flavor enhancement), resulting in improved brew solids and flavor consistency. The composite approach integrates multiple functional components into a single manufacturable product.
4Productivity
If coffee composition is designed for fast disassociation in water, then brewing efficiency is improved, but product integrity during storage may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee composition exhibits different properties in different locations: the outer coating layer is designed for fast disassociation and solubility to ensure rapid brewing efficiency, while the inner core maintains structural integrity and stability during storage. This local differentiation of properties allows the composition to simultaneously achieve fast dissolution during brewing while maintaining product integrity during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The coffee extract coating acts as a flexible shell or thin film around the ground roast coffee particles. This coating layer is designed to be water-soluble and rapidly disassociate during brewing, ensuring fast extraction and efficient flavor release. The thin film structure provides this rapid disassociation capability while the overall particle structure maintains stability during dry storage, resolving the contradiction between brewing efficiency and storage integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The structured coffee composition enables fast disassociation in water, higher brew solids, consistent flavor, and flexibility in brewing amounts, maintaining product integrity and flavor across different brewing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a coating of one or more coffee extracts and one or more extracts from the roast and ground coffee particles on the outer surface of the ground roast coffee particles, wherein the one or more coffee extracts binds the plurality of roast and ground coffee particles together
Implementation Method 2
The structured coffee composition enables fast disassociation in water, higher brew solids
Data Source
AI summary
A structured coffee composition and to various items made using such coffee composition are provided. The structured coffee composition is suitable for use in one or more of automatic drip coffee makers, single serving coffee makers, percolating coffee makers, moka pot coffee makers, French press coffee makers, vacuum coffee makers, expresso coffee makers, thermal coffee makers, or any combination of two or more thereof.