Green or roasted coffee – save costs with a moisture measurement

Green coffee beans have a typical moisture content of 10 – 13% when they arrive at the port. The first point of moisture measurement is often done before the beans are stored in the warehouse. The measurement can be done in a laboratory, at-line or even in-line to ensure that the green coffee beans can be stored for some time.

During the roasting of the coffee beans, a high temperature of ~ 230 °C is applied. The well-known Maillard reaction will take place and the coffee will develop its typical aroma. At the same time, the moisture is significantly reduced. In order to stop the roasting process at the desired level, so-called quenching water is often used. In order to ensure that the legal limit of 5% moisture is not exceeded, the roasted coffee is measured directly after the cooling phase using a process measuring system.

Moisture measurement of green coffee at-line or in the lab with microwave technology

• 100% quality control for optimal storage
• Non-destructive / no sample preparation
• Save time because the measurement result is available within a second
• Typical measuring accuracy +/- 0.2 – 0.3%

Benefits of in-line moisture measurement of green or roasted coffee before storage and after roasting/cooling

• 100% quality control
• High speed (up to 10,000 measurements/s)
• Optimize the amount of extinguishing water
• Stays within legal limits
• Typical measuring accuracy +/- 0.1 – 0.2%

ROI of a TEWS moisture analyzer for measuring moisture in coffee

Investment payback period*

10-12 months

*according to our experience and cost estimate of our partners.

The main advantages of measuring moisture in coffee with microwave resonance are:

• MOISTURE & DENSITY – Measurement of moisture and bulk density of the beans in one step.
• HIGH ACCURACY – Penetration to the core of the product regardless of the colour, shape or origin of the beans.
• EASY TO OPERATE – Wear-free, low maintenance. Easy integration into all kinds of inclined chutes or conveyors.
• HIGH SPEED – Independent measurement of moisture and bulk density of the beans in one step.

   

  More information about measuring moisture and density?

  You can measure moisture and density simultaneously with TEWS analyzers that work according to microwave technology. This has many advantages. You can read which ones here. 

For more information about in-line moisture measurement, please contact Contact contact the specialists at Inventech.