Comparison of Quality and Biochemical Compositions of Organic Arabica Coffee Bean Grown at Different Elevations

Abstract

The comparison of quality and biochemical compositions of organic arabica coffee grown at different elevations was carried out at 3 sub-districts; Na Kian, Yang Piang and Khun Tuen in Omkoi district, Chiang Mai province. The elevations were studied at 800-1,000, 1,000-1,200 and 1,200-1,400 meters above mean sea level (msl), respectively. Coffee parchments were collected from each location. Size of the coffee parchment and weight of green bean were measured. Caffeine and trigonelline contents in green bean and roasted bean were determined by HPLC method. The consumer satisfaction for cup test as also investigated. Results revealed that the sizes of coffee parchment were not significantly different in each elevation, however the highest weight of green bean was found at 1,000-1,200 msl. The green bean and roasted bean at 800-1,000 msl had the highest caffeine contents; 1.73 and 1.43 mg/g, respectively. There caffeine contents were significantly higher when compared with the other elevations. Furthermore, arabica coffee grown at the elevation 800-1,000 msl had also the highest trigonelline content in the green and roasted bean (0.99 and 1.78 mg/g, respectively) The trigonelline contents of green and roasted been grown at 1,000-1,200 msl were 0.83 and 1.35 mg/g while the value of 0.60 and 1.03 mg/g were observed at 1,200-1,400 msl planting area. For the consumer satisfaction test, most of consumers preferred aroma and taste of arabica coffee roasted bean from Khun Tuen sub-district at the elevation in 1,200-1,400 msl.