io9
This machine can taste the quality in your cup of espresso, and can identify coffee types nearly as accurately as a panel of trained human espresso tasters. How does it work?
The machine analyzes the gas espresso gives off when heated, translating combinations of ions into subjective descriptions like "roasted, flowery, woody, toffee and acidity." Called an "electronic taster," it was created by chemical engineers at Nestle in Switzerland, and will be used as a quality control device in the coffee industry. And perhaps as an evaluation tool for a few coffee snobs (for the record, the machine only tastes ristretto pulls).
Analytical Chemistry published an article this week about the amazing machine, including a precise scientific evaluation of "coffee headspace." According to a release about the research:
The multisensory experience from drinking a cup of coffee makes it a particular challenge for flavor scientists trying to replicate these sensations on a machine. More than 1,000 substances may contribute to the complex aroma of coffee.Add the researchers themselves:
Coffee scientists have long been searching for instrumental approaches to complement and eventually replace human sensory profiling.Well, at least the machine won't create Skynet when it becomes sentient. Instead it will probably head here.
When Machine Tastes Coffee [Analytical Chemistry]
Comments
Just another example of something I don't need a machine to do for me.
Aren't they afraid the machine is going to get the jitters?
I like that a person can have a job, "Flavor Scientist."
It reminds me of that new, fifth flavor that the Japanese invented.
wow, college chem labs on benzene rings are unearthing themselves in my brain. Finally, a useful application of that tortuous two-week lab report!
@braak: I had some fruits that were supposed to be that 'fifth flavor' a few weeks ago...I couldn't decide what to think. Mainly because they were bizarre dried fruits that turned into powder if you chewed them, and jellyish if you sucked on them - the textures were distracting.
i'm going to interpret this as tacit proof that coffee is not as complex as wine.
Finally, a reason to be proud to be an engineer.
no obvious reason it shouldn't be doable for wine
Hooray! Now robots can enjoy coffee!
... I think I'm missing the point. Oh well.
I can only imagine that the next phase will be something akin to the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation Nutrimatic Machines.
Or possibly the accidental discovery of the Infinite Improbability Drive.
What do you mean my mug of diner coffee sucks!?!?
Holy crap, a coffee shop where they use Yama vac brewers!?! I cannot express the level of this coffee fanatic's green, green envy. For some odd reason people here in the desert southwest don't seem too particular about their coffee.
Braak: [www.chowhound.com]
Unami is, from what I've read, the taste of complex amino acids as they relate to protien. Like fermented fish sauce, aged cheese, toast, grilled meat...
As for coffee: It's subjective.
Why don't they hire homeless people to do this....It's just another example of how "the man" is outsourcing jobs to technology...hehe!
"Nearly as accurately as a panel of trained human espresso tasters," you say? What's to say it's not the trained humans that are less accurate?
@Morgan: Aw man, history is always written by the humans.
Very interesting... Another replacement for humans...
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