The changing colors of coffee

From the ripe-red coffee berries carefully handpicked by Filipino farmers, the beans that go into Nescafe Classic undergo a change of colors that are as visually fresh and flavorful as the taste and aroma of the world’s favorite coffee brand.

The first step to Nescafe Classic’s quality coffee starts with the selective picking of ripe coffee berries from a cluster to help avoid the selection of green berries that produce a bitter taste after roasting.

The beries also undergo a post-harvest treatment in the farmers processing facility. Here, they are poured into a floatation tank of water to separate the “floaters” from the “sinkers.” Floaters are insect-damaged, unfilled coffee berries and berries with defects, while “sinkers” are good quality, fully-filled ripe coffee berries that are free from defects.

The sinkers go through a drying process to prevent microorganisms from growing during storage. They are then rid of foreign matter, such as dirt, stones and twigs. The dried cherries then undergo a de-hulling process where the coffee beans are separated from the hulls. After de-hulling, the green coffee beans are finally dried down.

One of the most integral parts in the making of Nescafe Classic then occurs—the roasting process.

Nescafe has long mastered the roasting procedure to perfection. In fact, this patented process is one of the most fundamental parts in producing its flavorful taste and rich aroma.

Here, the coffee beans expand and undergo density and color changes. They turn to yellow once they absorb heat and then to brown as the beans lose their water content. They further darken in color while undergoing chemical change and release the oils, which give coffee its flavor.

After roasting, the beans are then grounded and brewed. Spray drying then follows. Here, the concentrated brew is sprayed through a nozzle from a high tower into a hot air chamber after which golden brown powder are left at the bottom of the chamber.

These are then packed and made ready for packing in jars and sachets for millions of coffee drinkers to enjoy.