Yves Clément Zimmermann

The term ‘freshly roasted’ has long been regarded as a hallmark of coffee quality. This study challenges this assumption by investigating whether (i) a discernible sensory effect and (ii) a perceptible consumer preference exist between ‘freshly roasted’ (1 day post-roast) and ‘post-roast matured’ (145 days) coffee beans. Employing a triangle test (ISO 4120:2021) and a hedonic preference test (ISO 8587:2013) with 60 untrained participants attending coffee-related events, 70% of participants successfully discriminated between samples (p < 0.001). The preference test revealed no significant difference in the proportion of participants selecting either sample (52.4% mature vs. 47.6% fresh, p = 0.875). These findings underscore the potential for a more nuanced approach to post-roast coffee maturation, demonstrating that extended maturation produces perceivable sensory changes without systematic preference disadvantage.

The International Coffee Convention 2024 (ICC2024) continued the discussions initiated at ICC2023, focusing on coffee's transition and the industry's challenges. The event, held in October in Mannheim, started with a welcome speech from Vanúsia Nogueira, the Executive Director of the International Coffee Organization (ICO), and brought together leading industry figures, experts, and stakeholders. The convention examined multiple aspects of the coffee sector, including the future landscape of coffee species, particularly the potential of _Coffea canephora_ and other species such as _C. racemosa_ and _C. stenophylla_. A key highlight was an exclusive satellite workshop, organized in partnership with the Global Crop Diversity Trust, the Coffee Consulate, RD2Vision, and supported by the ICO, which addressed the use of coffee genetic resources within the framework of the Nagoya Protocol. Coffee production's environmental footprint emerged as a central theme of the conference, with discussions covering deforestation policies, fermentation techniques, and processing methods. The sessions explored innovations in coffee preparation and business, from roasting techniques to crafting the perfect Café Crème. The program included analyses of coffee's nutritional impacts, health benefits and risks, and the evidence supporting health claims. The sustainable use of coffee by-products was also featured, stressing both challenges and opportunities. ICC2024 gathered international experts who shared scientific knowledge and practical insights. The convention ended with the presentation of the Kaldi Award, recognizing significant contributions to the coffee industry. Through this comprehensive program, ICC2024 contributed to shaping coffee's future by facilitating truly interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and addressing key industry challenges and opportunities.

The retail sector in Germany is currently undergoing a transformation. Department stores that were once successful are now closing their branches at prominent locations, while omni-channel retailers that originated from online commerce are expanding their position in brick-and-mortar retail. Previous research has focused on examining which Online Pure Players (OPP) in Germany pursue the Adding Bricks to Clicks (ABtC) expansion strategy and the form of market entry they choose. The investigation showed a clear preference for operating their own retail stores. However, the investigation did not sufficiently consider the food sector, despite the boost in online food retail due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation involved triangulating, merging, and analyzing existing studies and data sources through secondary data analysis. This contribution presents a pilot study that investigates and compares the food omnichannel retailers Ankerkraut, KERNenergie, and mymuesli. These retailers were mentioned in the evaluation of 37 qualitative, guideline-supported expert interviews and originate from online commerce. The examined food retailers offer a curated range of specialty and delicatessen products in the higher price segment, adhering to specific product-price policies. They operate their own stores to strengthen their retail brand and provide a tactile product experience. However, they limit the number of these stores to a handful of flagship locations due to the high costs associated with such an expansion. More effectively, they expand their offline reach through collaborations with established retailers. These partnerships capitalize on the existing brand recognition and market presence of the partners, driving significant growth and serving as a model for best practices in the ABtC food sector.

The retail sector in Germany is currently undergoing a transformation. Department stores that were once successful are now closing their branches at prominent locations, while omni-channel retailers that originated from online commerce are expanding their position in brick-and-mortar retail. Previous research has focused on examining which Online Pure Players (OPP) in Germany pursue the Adding Bricks to Clicks (ABtC) expansion strategy and the form of market entry they choose. The investigation showed a clear preference for operating their own retail stores. However, the investigation did not sufficiently consider the food sector, despite the boost in online food retail due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation involved triangulating, merging, and analyzing existing studies and data sources through secondary data analysis. This contribution presents a pilot study that investigates and compares the food omnichannel retailers Ankerkraut, KERNenergie, and mymuesli. These retailers were mentioned in the evaluation of 37 qualitative, guideline-supported expert interviews and originate from online commerce. The examined food retailers offer a curated range of specialty and delicatessen products in the higher price segment, adhering to specific product-price policies. They operate their own stores to strengthen their retail brand and provide a tactile product experience. However, they limit the number of these stores to a handful of flagship locations due to the high costs associated with such an expansion. More effectively, they expand their offline reach through collaborations with established retailers. These partnerships capitalize on the existing brand recognition and market presence of the partners, driving significant growth and serving as a model for best practices in the ABtC food sector.

‘Freshly roasted’ has long been considered the ultimate indicator of coffee quality. This study challenges this concept by arguing that coffee, as a complex processed agricultural product, undergoes a critical developmental ‘maturation’ phase after roasting that is significant for its sensory experience. Thus, this study investigates whether there is (i) a discernible sensory effect and (ii) a perceptible consumer preference for ‘freshly roasted’ coffee beans by means of a triangle test (ISO 4120:2021) combined with a hedonic preference test (ISO 8587:2013) on 42 untrained participants. The triangle test results indicate that there is a significant difference between the samples, and a slight majority expressed a preference for not ‘freshly roasted’ coffee, encouraging a more nuanced approach to the issue.

Zusammenfassung: Gegenstand dieses Kapitels sind die eingesetzte Methodik und die gewählte Datenbasis. Genauer eingegangen wird an dieser Stelle auf die Entscheidungen für qualitatives Vorgehen, für das konkrete Design der explorativen Fallstudie und deren Elemente. Dabei werden sowohl Erhebungs-, Transkriptions- und Auswertungsmethoden dargestellt als auch auf Details zur verwendeten Stichprobe eingegangen.