Where does coffee body come from?

Ever taken a sip of coffee and felt that rich, smooth texture spreading across your palate? That's the magic of coffee body—a key element that gives life and soul to every cup. But where does coffee body come from? Let’s explore this with XLIII Coffee.

Decoding Coffee Body 

In coffee terms, "body" refers to the weight and texture or the degree of richness you feel in your mouth. According to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), body is a crucial sensory attribute that influences the overall coffee experience. It can range from light to heavy, influencing how the coffee coats your tongue—light body gives a slight, sticky sensation with delicate flavors, while heavy body fills your mouth with a robust, rich texture.

Role in Cupping 

In cupping (coffee tasting), experts assess the body based on the coffee’s structure. Body can range from light and clear to full and bold, influenced by factors like origin, processing methods, and brewing techniques. Understanding body helps coffee professionals and enthusiasts appreciate the unique qualities each type of coffee offers.

Coffee body refers to the weight, texture, or richness of the coffee that you feel in your mouth

Extraction process 

Coffee body is shaped during extraction—a process where both soluble and insoluble compounds in the coffee beans interact. When brewing, compounds like caffeine, acids, lipids, sugars, and carbohydrates dissolve in water, interacting with proteins, oils, and fibers. This interaction creates the thickness or lightness you feel in your mouth.

Processing methods 

Processing methods significantly affect coffee body. Natural (dry) processing tends to produce a heavier body because the coffee beans remain in contact with the fruit’s sugars during drying. Washed processing, on the other hand, usually results in a lighter body since the beans are stripped of fruit before drying, absorbing fewer sugars.

Roastingmpact 

Roasting can also influence coffee body. Longer roasting times at higher temperatures lead to more transformations within the bean, releasing more oils and creating a fuller, heavier body. Dark-roasted coffee typically appears darker, with more oils on the surface, contributing to a richer texture.

Washed processing tends to produce a lighter coffee body

French press 

The French Press method retains the most insoluble compounds, like oils and fine coffee particles, resulting in a full-bodied, robust cup. The metal filter allows these elements to stay in the coffee, enhancing its thickness.

Pour over 

Pour Over brewing produces a lighter, clearer body because the paper filter removes most fine particles and oils. The result is a clean cup with distinct, bright flavors but a thinner texture.

Espresso 

Espresso is known for its intense flavor and full-bodied richness. High pressure (around 9 bars) during extraction releases a significant amount of soluble compounds, creating a dense, concentrated body.

Aeropress 

Aeropress is a versatile method that lets you customize the coffee body. By adjusting brew time and pressure, you can create anything from a light to a heavy body.

Whether thick and smooth or light and delicate, body is a crucial attribute that contributes to making a great cup of coffee

SCA standards 

In cupping, body is evaluated based on the texture and richness the coffee imparts in the mouth. According to SCA standards, body is rated on a scale of 6 to 10, with 6 being the lowest and 10 the highest. Coffee with a prominent body provides a clear, strong impression, often preferred by those who enjoy complex, structured coffees.

Optimizing coffee body 

When brewing at home, you can adjust the body of your coffee according to your preference:

• Method choice: Different brewing methods impact body—French Press for a thick body, Pour Over for a lighter body.
• Extraction time: Longer extraction times generally result in a fuller body due to more compounds being dissolved.
• Water temperature: Hotter water extracts more compounds, increasing the body, while cooler water results in a lighter body.

According to SCA standards, coffee body is evaluated on a scale from 6 to 10, with 6 being the lowest and 10 the highest

Conclusion

Coffee body is a defining factor in the flavor and overall feel of your coffee. Understanding and optimizing it can elevate your coffee-drinking experience, revealing the diverse and rich world of Specialty coffee. Whether you prefer a smooth, light body or a bold, heavy one, coffee body plays a vital role in crafting the perfect cup. If you’re curious about experiencing coffee with a unique body and rich flavor, visit XLIII Coffee!

Images from XLIII Coffee and provided by XLIII Coffee's partners

1. What is coffee body? 

Coffee body refers to the weight, texture, or degree of richness you feel in your mouth when drinking coffee. It is a crucial sensory attribute that affects the overall coffee experience.

2. What factors determine the coffee body during brewing? 

The coffee body is determined by the balance of soluble and insoluble compounds, such as caffeine, acids, lipids, sugars, and proteins, that interact during the brewing process.

3. How does the processing method impact coffee body? 

Processing methods significantly influence coffee body. For instance, dry processing tends to create a heavier, fuller body, while wet processing usually results in a lighter body.

4. How is coffee body evaluated during cupping?

In cupping, experts evaluate coffee body based on the texture and fullness it imparts in the mouth, ranging from light and clear to full and dense. The evaluation follows the SCA standards, rating body on a scale of 6 to 10.

5. Which brewing method produces coffee with a thick, rich body?

The Espresso brewing method produces coffee with a thick, rich body due to the high-pressure extraction process that releases a significant amount of soluble compounds, creating a dense, concentrated texture.