Green Coffee Extraction and Cold Brewing

Sonication, or the application of power ultrasound to agitate particles in a sample, has altered various industries, including food and beverage production. In particular, probe-type sonication has emerged as a superior method for the extraction and cold brewing of green coffee. This ultrasound technology utilizes high-intensity, low-frequency ultrasound waves to enhance the extraction of valuable compounds from green coffee beans, offering a highly efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional extraction methods. As a non-thermal method, ultrasonication avoids the degradation of heat-sensitive phytochemicals resulting in a highly potent green coffee extract or brew.

Green Coffee Cold-Extraction and Cold Brew Using Sonication

Green coffee beans, which are unroasted, contain a wealth of phytochemicals, including chlorogenic acids, caffeine, diterpenes and other antioxidants. These compounds are known for their health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Cold-extraction, also known as cold brewing, is a process that preserves these sensitive compounds by avoiding high temperatures that can degrade them. Learn how sonication intensifies the cold extraction and brewing of green coffee!

 
Probe-type sonication facilitates this process by using ultrasonic waves to create microscopic bubbles in the liquid medium. These bubbles collapse violently, generating intense shear forces that disrupt the cell walls of the coffee beans. This mechanical action significantly enhances the release of phytochemicals into the brew, resulting in a richer and more potent extract.

Advantages of Ultrasonic Probe-Type Extraction and High Yield of Green Coffee Phytochemicals

One of the most significant advantages of ultrasonic probe-type extraction is its ability to produce high yields of phytochemicals from green coffee beans. The process is highly efficient, requiring shorter extraction times and lower temperatures compared to traditional methods. This efficiency not only preserves the delicate bioactive compounds but also reduces energy consumption and operational costs.
Moreover, the non-thermal nature of sonication ensures that the flavors and aromas of green coffee are maintained, producing a cold brew with a smooth, balanced profile. The enhanced extraction also means that fewer raw materials are needed to achieve the desired strength and flavor, making the process more sustainable.

Probe-Type Sonication vs. Bath Sonicators and Hot Water Extraction

While bath sonicators and hot water extraction are common methods for extracting compounds from plant materials, probe-type sonication offers several distinct advantages.
Probe-type sonication offers numerous advantages for the extraction of compounds from green coffee and other materials. It is an energy-efficient, fast, and precise method that preserves sensitive compounds through cold extraction, delivers high yields, and allows for meticulous control over the process parameters. These benefits make it an ideal choice for both small-scale and industrial applications, offering a versatile and sustainable solution for high-quality extractions.
Bath sonicators, which use a tank filled with water and ultrasound waves, provide a drastically lower and untargeted ultrasound energy. This leads to uneven extraction and less efficient disruption of plant cell walls and an insufficient extraction efficiency.
Hot water extraction, on the other hand, relies on high temperatures to solubilize the compounds. This can lead to the degradation of heat-sensitive phytochemicals, resulting in a loss of valuable nutrients and a bitter taste. In addition, hot water extraction or maceration are known as slow processes since the mass transfer is very limited. In contrast, probe-type sonication uses intense ultrasonic waves and acoustic cavitation that are directly applied to the coffee-water slurry with intensify the mass transfer, ensuring a uniform and gentle cold extraction process that preserves the integrity of the compounds.

Hielscher Sonicators for Batch and Flow-Through Mode: Small Scale to Industrial Coffee Extraction

Hielscher Ultrasonics offers a range of sonicators that cater to both requirements of small-scale and industrial production. Hielscher sonicators are available in both batch and flow-through configurations, providing flexibility for different production volumes and process requirements.
Batch sonicators are ideal for smaller operations, where smaller lots of coffee extract are prepared. They are easy to use and can be adapted to various container sizes. Flow-through sonicators, on the other hand, are designed for continuous processing, making them suitable for large-scale production. These systems can be integrated into existing production lines, allowing for high-throughput extraction with consistent quality.

Hielscher probe-type sonicators are the cutting-edge technology that offers numerous benefits for the extraction and cold brewing of green coffee. It enhances the yield and quality of phytochemicals, provides a more sustainable and efficient process, and preserves the delicate flavors and aromas of the coffee. Hielscher Ultrasonics range of sonicators makes this technology accessible for both small-scale and industrial producers, paving the way for innovative and high-quality green coffee products.
Contact us know for technical details, process recommendations and in-depth consulting!

The table below gives you an indication of the approximate processing capacity of our ultrasonicators:

Design, Manufacturing and Consulting – Quality Made in Germany

Hielscher ultrasonicators are well-known for their highest quality and design standards. Robustness and easy operation allow the smooth integration of our ultrasonicators into industrial facilities. Rough conditions and demanding environments are easily handled by Hielscher ultrasonicators.

Hielscher Ultrasonics is an ISO certified company and put special emphasis on high-performance ultrasonicators featuring state-of-the-art technology and user-friendliness. Of course, Hielscher ultrasonicators are CE compliant and meet the requirements of UL, CSA and RoHs.