To us, it’s a universally known fact that coffee smells good. Even those who don’t enjoy the taste of coffee (crazy, we know!) usually still enjoy the smell of coffee.
There is actually some science behind the smell of coffee and why is it so appealing to the masses.
As coffee beans go through their lifecycle from raw beans to brewed coffee they will give off a variety of different smells along the way. Let’s look into this process a little more.
Raw Coffee
Chances are high you may need to learn more about raw coffee. Coffee “beans’ ‘ actually start out green with more of a fruity scent. Honestly green coffee doesn’t smell that great and certainly doesn’t taste great. This is where roasting comes in
Roasted coffee
The process of roasting raw coffee beans is what triggers the chemical reaction that makes coffee smell so amazing. This process has actually been named a Millard reaction as it was discovered by Louis-Camille Maillard, in 1912
The Maillard reaction describes the process of starch breaking down into simple sugars and those sugars caramelizing. This turns the beans brown and changes their flavor and of course, scent!
Grinding Coffee
Whole roasted coffee beans contain a wonderful aroma, you can usually smell it right through the bag. But believe it or not most of the coffee goodness and aroma is trapped inside that bean. When you grind your beans before brewing your coffee you release all the aromatics into the air.
This is why freshly ground coffee smells so delightful.
The Science Behind The Smell of Coffee
Now that we know how the process of roasting and grinding coffee can create such intense aromatics, let’s take a look at the science behind the smell. Why are so many people enjoying this unique smell?
According to science, it’s because coffee contains molecules for almost every attractive scent, including sweet, spicy, fruity, floral, and smoky.
Coffee Shop Downtown Minneapolis
The next time you step into a 7 Corners Coffee Shop in Downtown Minneapolis, take a moment to soak in the delightful smell of our freshly ground coffee beans. We feel lucky enough to work in such an enjoyable environment. We hope the smell of freshly brewed coffee is one of the many things that bring you comfort when you visit our coffee shop!
