What Is Coffee Crema? Things You Need To Know

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What Is Coffee Crema Things You Need To Know

What is Coffee Crema? Things you need to know –  There have been numerous studies on how external elements affect a customer’s impression or experience of a cup of coffee.

We know, for example, that the information consumers acquire before consuming a product impacts their expectations and, as a result, how they perceive the product’s quality (Siegrist and Cousin, 2009; Lange et al., 2002). Sa’enz-Navajas et al. (2013) found that a consumer’s level of expertise influences their quality judgments.

Furthermore, when it comes to beverages, the material of the cup or glass that a customer uses significantly impacts how they perceive and rate that beverage (Schifferstein, 2009; Wan et al., 2015).

Studies show how food packaging is constructed can influence various aspects of the eating experience (Schifferstein et al., 2013). For these reasons, it’s no surprise that crema affects the overall espresso flavor experience.

Crema’s Influence on Visual Perception

Researchers looked at the impact of crema amount on consumer impressions in a recent study by Labbe et al. (2016). C

consumers rated products in three ways in this study: (1) visually, with researchers assessing the expectations generated by visual cues, (2) in a “blind” condition, with all visual cues suppressed and researchers assessing in-mouth perception; and (3) by taste and sight, with consumers traditionally evaluating the coffee.

Researchers were able to isolate consumers’ expectations based on a product’s visual appearance from their overall product perception using these different settings.

According to the study, expectations did not have the same effect on hedonic and sensory qualities. Although the presence of crema raised quality expectations (a hedonic indication), the quantity of crema did not affect the predicted quality (Fig. 1.1).

The researchers also discovered that while they could see and taste the product usually, the perceived quality was higher than when they were blind the mouth. This suggests that visual cues influenced the in-mouth experience beneficially.

When we look at the research more closely, we can observe that smoothness (a sensory indicator) was highly linked to crema quantity because coffees with crema were predicted to be smoother (visual condition) than coffees without crema (Fig. 1.2).

As the amount of crema increased, so did the perceived smoothness in the mouth, which was most likely attributable to the physical texture features of crema. Overall smoothness was evaluated higher when customers could see and taste it rather than when they were blind in the mouth.

What Is Coffee Crema Things You Need To Know
FIGURE 1.1 Average quality score for espressos with increasing crema quantity for the three evaluation conditions.
What Is Coffee Crema Things You Need To Know
FIGURE 1.2 Average smoothness score for espressos with increasing crema quantity for the three evaluation conditions.

According to the study, Crema is vital to the espresso coffee experience. The lack of crema reduced perceived quality and sensory qualities by lowering expectations for quality, overall taste, bitterness, and smoothness.

The Effect of Crema on Aroma Production

The perception of volatiles through the olfactory system is called aroma (see also Chapter 18). There are two mechanisms for volatile organic molecules to reach the olfactory epithelium in the upper section of the nose.

When odor-active substances enter the nose, this is known as ortho-nasal stimulation. When people smell coffee, the scent molecules go along this path.

Retronasal stimulation happens when odor-active components enter the internal nares, located within the mouth, after tasting coffee.

The mechanism influencing orthonasal fragrance perception will be discussed in the following section. The Nespresso system was employed in one study to look at the effect of crema thickness and stability on scent release over the cup.

They compared crema amounts (Barron et al., 2012) and stabilities (Dold et al., 2011) to coffee without crema. Even though it has long been assumed that crema is a lid to keep odors from escaping (Petracco, 2005), the experiments revealed a far more sophisticated mechanism.

The investigation traced fragrance molecules with varied volatilities above the cup as a function of time using MS methods. The existence of crema generally caused an above-the-cup volatile concentration that was much higher than that reported in liquid coffee without crema within the first 2.5 minutes after the start of extraction (Figs. 1.3 and 1.4).

When the narrow lamella at the foam surface ruptures, the bubbles collapse, and entrapped gas, primarily highly volatile aromas, is released. The primary source of this bubble rupture is thought to be the thinning of the films due to evaporation (Dold et al., 2011; Weaire and Hutzler, 1999), but other events outlined in Section 2 may also play a role.

Furthermore, as the liquid evaporates, the low-volatile smells in the drink also evaporate into the air. However, when no crema is present, all fragrance release (including high and low volatiles) is solely driven by evaporation from the liquid to the gas phase.

Crema stabilization begins to have a vital influence on the release pattern after the initial release of aromas. The coffee releases the most significant amount of smells into the headspace when the crema stability is low.

At the same time, crema volume is inversely associated with the release of low volatiles, which is most likely due to the crema acting as a “cover” that keeps odors from escaping.

Parenti et al. (2014), who investigated different espresso preparations, verified the idea that the crema layer works as a way to liberate fragrances above the cup when the crema layer is unstable.

When the fragrance quantity was assessed above the cup, this study found an inverse link between crema quantity and stability.

What Is Coffee Crema Things You Need To Know
FIGURE 1.3 Volatile release profiles of the sum of selected ion mass trace as measured by proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry ion traces for samples prepared from an Arabica blend long cup coffee with crema and the same coffee without crema (removed by filtration) (t ¼ 0 min equals 1 min after starting coffee extraction) (averages of triplicates).
What Is Coffee Crema Things You Need To Know
FIGURE 1.4 Crema helps aromas to be released above the cup.

Finally, when considering the effect of crema on scent release, we must examine various methods.

This should include: (1) how low crema stability (high bubble rupture) enhances the release of high volatile aromas, which are abundant in the gas phase of foam bubbles; (2) how high crema stability retains high volatiles because the crema acts as a barrier that entraps the aromas; and (3) how crema collapse allows for diffusion and the subsequent release of low-volatile aromas.

For these reasons, crema and aroma releases are frequently prioritized while creating new espresso brewing methods. The Caffe’s Firenze, for example, uses pressurized air to generate espresso coffee with a longer-lasting froth layer (Masella et al., 2015).

The decreased volatility of scent molecules above the cup is attributed to this foam layer. As a result, prior studies indicating that crema stability significantly impacts scent release are confirmed (Dold et al., 2011).

Researchers have also employed Crema production to improve the sensory elements of soluble coffee. For example, with soluble coffees with pressurized internal gas, one study focused on scent release above the cup for producing crema (Yu et al., 2012).

This research, however, cannot be related to the previously established mechanisms of fragrance emission. The coffee preparation method is based on gas integration in the soluble extract rather than extraction technology.

Centrifusion, a newer method Nespresso uses in its VertuoLine system, relies on spinning for extraction rather than pressure to drive water through the coffee bed. The system produces crema, in this case, by combining gas expansion and mechanical formation.

The investigations mentioned above are all based on analytical methodologies used to measure or uncover the mechanism of the cup fragrance release indicated above.

To our knowledge, there are currently no sensory or consumer data that demonstrate the effect of crema on the perceived above-cup scent. On the other hand, various research has looked at sensory perception in the mouth.

Crema’s Effect on In-Mouth Perception

There is research on how coffee tastes in the mouth (Charles et al., 2015; Barron et al., 2012; Labbe et al., 2016). Only Barron and Labbe have focused on cremation to our knowledge. Researchers frequently employ a technique known as temporal dominance of sensation (TDS).

Pineau et al., 2009; Le Re’ve’rend et al., 2008; Pineau et al., 2012; Pineau and Schlich, 2015) used this methodology to track the temporal evolution of sensory perception during product tasting.

Barron et al. (2012) focused on consuming a dark-roasted robust espresso with a different amount of crema. The TDS was conducted on seven sips, allowing the entire cup to be finished.

The panelists had to select the dominating in-mouth perceptual feature from a list of 11 options for each sip: carbon, roasted, cereal, fruity, sweet, bitter, acidic, liquid, thick, gritty, and smooth.

The roasted dominance grows with increased crema quantity. It remains dominant throughout the cup’s consumption, as seen in Fig. 1.5. A low crema quantity, or no crema, on the other hand, resulted in carbon dominance and bitterness.

what-is-coffee-crema-things-you-need-to-know
FIGURE 1.5 Comparative evolution of the roasted dominant sensation between espresso coffees with different amounts of crema consumed over seven sips. The dotted line indicates the level of significance. The amount of crema reduces from 1 to 5, with 5 having no crema.

The same study used nose-space analysis to validate these findings, a method for investigating scent release in vivo using mass spectrometry to evaluate exhaled air during intake (Barron et al., 2012).

The study found that a larger crema quantity resulted in higher overall intensity. By combining the TDS and nose-space data, we may deduce that smells trapped in the crema can be detected by sensory perception and recorded in the nose space during consumption.

However, because variances across panelists can be significant, obtaining results using nose-space analysis can be difficult. With developments in analytical methodologies for nasal space analysis, researchers may be able to acquire better results in the future.

By combining the time of flight to MS, some investigations have indicated analytical improvement in increasing sample discrimination (Romano et al., 2014).

Outlook

Crema is much more than meets the eye. At the same time, believing that a good crema must be dark brown and a certain thickness isis not erroneous; it does not fully use its potential in the coffee experience.

Although the taste of espresso coffee is the most significant component in customer choice, consumers also value the texture and mouthfeel of the beverage.

There’s a lot more to crema than meets the eye. Although the assumption that a good crema must be dark brown and of a specific thickness is not incorrect, it does not fully leverage the potential of crema in the coffee experience.

Although the flavor of espresso coffee is the most critical factor in consumer preference, the texture and mouthfeel aspects are also important.

Mouthfeel qualities can be divided into components relating to viscosity (thick), substances (rich), resistance to the tongue (round), after-sensation (lingering), coating of the oral cavity (mouth-coating), and feeling on soft tissue, according to Navarini et al. (2004b) (smooth).

Varying coffee procedures are said to produce different concentrations, and a mouthfeel vocabulary should be used to characterize these various beverages.

Crema has been demonstrated to increase the olfactory qualities of the coffee, as well as build anticipation for the consumption of espresso coffee, in addition to its aesthetic appearance and texturization.

Despite the extensive understanding of coffee composition and foam production in beer, milk froth, and effervescent beverages, little is known about coffee crema formation and durability.

The results so far have mostly been descriptive, with little proof of the systems’ proportional importance in espresso coffee. There is some understanding of the components that play a vital role in the creation and stability of crema.

On the other hand, foams are well-known for being extremely difficult to analyze due to their dynamics and many phenomena happening simultaneously on the foam.

As a result, most study on this topic is focused on model systems, which employ one or two components to provide a more systematic approach to understanding creation and stability. Many diverse compounds are present in natural food systems, resulting in a massive rise in complexity.

Espresso is, without a doubt, a complicated polyphasic liquid made up of (1) an emulsion of oil droplets, (2) a suspension of solid particles, and (3) the effervescence of gas bubbles that eventually form a foam (Illy and Viani, 2005).

A multidisciplinary approach using the most modern and highly advanced analytical tools is required better to comprehend espresso crema at varied lengths and time scales.

This necessitates more thorough and focused research into coffee foam and the factors influencing its creation and stability. Only when the chemical compounds and their production and destabilization mechanisms are properly known can they be used as triggers to change the crema.

Developing ways to improve espresso crema, which may involve blending, roasting, grinding, tempering, and extraction characteristics such as water quality, requires combining the consumer impression of crema with a molecular and physical approach. This unique technique necessitates taking into account the espresso coffee as a whole.

According to Navarini et al. (2004b), mouthfeel attributes may be classified into components pertaining to viscosity (thick), substance content (rich), tongue resistance (round), after-sensation (lingering), oral cavity coating (mouth-coating), and soft tissue feeling (smooth).

Different coffee processes yield varying concentrations, and a mouthfeel vocabulary should be employed to describe these mixed drinks. Crema has been shown to enhance the coffee’s aromatic properties and to create anticipation for its intake, in addition to its visual look and texturization.

Despite significant knowledge of coffee composition and foam generation in beer, milk froth, and effervescent drinks, little is known about the development and endurance of coffee crema.

Thus far, the findings have been primarily descriptive, with little evidence for the systems’ relative role in espresso coffee.

There is an essential awareness of the components necessary for the formation and stability of crema. On the other hand, foams are well-known for being incredibly difficult to examine owing to their dynamics and the multitude of events co-occurring on the foam.

Consequently, the bulk of research on this subject is concentrated on model systems, which involve just one or two components and give a more systematic approach to studying formation and stability.

Numerous different chemicals exist in natural food systems, resulting in a significant increase in complexity.

Espresso is unquestionably a complex polyphasic liquid composed of (1) an emulsion of oil droplets, (2) a suspension of solid particles, and (3) the effervescence of gas bubbles that finally create a foam (Illy and Viani, 2005).

A multidisciplinary approach using the most sophisticated analytical techniques is necessary to get a deeper understanding of espresso crema throughout various durations and periods.

This demands further in-depth and targeted study on coffee foam and the elements affecting its formation and stability. Only until the chemical components and their synthesis and destabilization processes are fully understood can they be employed as triggers to alter the cremation.

To develop methods for improving espresso crema, which may include blending, roasting, grinding, tempering, and extraction qualities like water quality, it is necessary to combine the consumer perception of crema with a molecular and physical approach. This one-of-a-kind approach demands considering the espresso coffee as its whole.

Reference source:

  • Primecoffea, Crema trong Espresso và những điều bạn chưa biết, Tháng Chín 30, 2019
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