Beverage quality of Coffea canephora genotypes in the western Amazon, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the beverage quality of Coffea canephora genotypes in different environments of the western Amazon to assist plant selection and new cultivar development. To analyze beverage quality, samples of cherry coffee beans were collected separately for each genotype from clonal competition trials installed in the municipalities of Ouro Preto do Oeste, Alta Floresta do Oeste, Porto Velho, and Ariquemes in Rondônia State and Rio Branco in Acre State (Brazil). The beverage quality was assessed using the Robusta Cupping Protocol, which attribute to each genotype a score in a range from 0 to 100, highlighting nuances. Analysis of variance and principal components using reference points were used to quantify genotype x environment interaction (G x E). The analysis of variance indicated that genotypic and G x E interaction effects were significant (p < 0.01). By using a centroid dispersion method, we could identify four clones of low, eight of specific (to favorable or unfavorable environments), and seven of broad adaptability to the environments. The clones BRS 2314, 11, and 17 had average quality scores above 80 in all environments, with potential for specialty coffee production. The clones BRS 1216, BRS 3220, and BRS 3193 presented unstable behavior, with beans of higher quality in some of the evaluated environments. Such inconsistency in clone behavior is caused by unpredictable changes in plant performance in different environments. Our results indicate that both genotypic (clones) and G x E interaction effects are important for the expression of coffee beverage quality. However, the clones BRS 3213, BRS 3210, and BRS 2299 had less prominent nuances, with lower potential for specialty coffee production.

Sensory description of beverages of intervarietal hybrids of Conilon and Robusta: Natural and fermented coffees

“…The local climate is ‘Aw’ type by Köppen's classification, which stands for humid tropical with dry winters and rainy summers (Rocha et al, 2021). In a study with 16 hybrid clones, Ouro Preto do Oeste was pointed out as a favorable environment for developing coffees with good cup quality (Morais et al, 2021).…”

“…Two hybrid clones—BRS 2314 and BRS 2357—were selected for the study based on the differences in the composition profile, cup quality, and sensory characteristics described by experts in previous research (Morais et al, 2021; Teixeira et al, 2020; Viencz et al, 2023).…”

“…the clone BRS 2357 was considered as having good cup quality and was described by experts as a neutral beverage with low sweetness and discreet aroma (Morais et al, 2021;Teixeira et al, 2020).…”

“…As for the genealogy, clone BRS 2314 is a crossing of Emcapa 03 × IAC 640 and clone BRS 2357 is an open pollination genotype from the Conilon cultivar BRS Ouro Preto. They are both late‐maturing cultivars with high yields (over 60 bags ha −1 ), but BRS 2314 is more resistant to coffee leaf rust and root‐knot nematode (Morais et al, 2021; Teixeira et al, 2020). The clone BRS 2314 has a high potential for the specialty coffee market, characteristic of the Robusta botanical variety, with beverage quality >80 points.…”

“…The clone BRS 2314 has a high potential for the specialty coffee market, characteristic of the Robusta botanical variety, with beverage quality >80 points. The clone BRS 2357 has good cup quality (≥70 points) and can be used by the soluble coffee industry and for inclusion in roasted coffee blends with Arabica (Morais et al, 2021; Teixeira et al, 2020). However, it is noteworthy that the evaluation of beverages by experts does not always correspond to the consumer's insights into coffee brew quality and characteristics (Bressani et al, 2021; Giacalone et al, 2016).…”