The vast multidisciplinary world of coffee-related research expanded on all fronts in 2024, yet much of it can be reasonably assigned to one of three categories: green coffee sustainability in the face of climate change; understanding coffee quality; and human health.
Depending on your perspective or position, one or two of these categories might seem more important than the other/s, yet all three captured the attention of academic researchers this year.
Continuing DCN’s 2024 Year in Review, here’s a look at some of the biggest coffee-related research news in 2024. For all the latest coffee research, subscribe to the DCN Newsletter.
Green Coffee and Sustainability Research
Researchers Explore High-Elevation Robusta as Arabica Replacement
The results of a five-year multi-location field trial in Brazil suggest that robusta grown at high elevations might be a suitable replacement for arabica, which is facing existential threats on a global scale due to climate change… read more
Study Shines New Light on the Complex Arabica Coffee Genome
Researchers in Italy say they’ve shed new light on arabica coffee’s large and complex genome, which may ultimately help breeders seeking desirable traits such as high quality and disease resistance… read more
Value Chain Study Explores How to Make Coffee Work for Smallholder Farmers
Newly published research reinforces the idea that participation in the specialty coffee market has greater potential to improve small family farmers’ incomes and livelihoods. But there’s a catch… read more
Scientific Review Calls for Standardization in Coffee Life Cycle Assessments
A new systematic review of 34 previous studies on the environmental impact of green coffee production from seed to cup calls for more consistent methodologies, more detailed reporting and increased transparency among researchers… read more
Breeding and Genetics Study Traces Arabica to Prehistoric Times
Research commissioned by Nestlé suggests that the arabica coffee species was birthed 350,000-600,000 years ago through a natural mating between two different coffee species in the wild forests of what is now known as Ethiopia… read more
Study: Coffee Has High Potential to Combine Conservation and Production
As agricultural goods go, coffee has a particularly high potential to combine forest conservation, biodiversity and production output, according to a meta analysis published this spring… read more
Inside a New Experiment to Find the Climate-Proof Coffee of the Future
Although nearly every commodity faces threats from a warming climate, arabica is especially picky… read more
Peru Coffee Study Underscores Environmental Benefits of Organic Production
A study from Peru shines new light on the environmental impact of green coffee production, finding synthetic fertilizers and untreated coffee pulp to be the largest contributors to carbon emissions… read more
Major FAO Report Reveals Hidden Costs of Coffee Production
As coffee prices currently sit at historically high levels on the commodities markets, driven by supply concerns and growing demand, the economic benefits for green coffee producers might seem universally promising. Yet there are hidden costs… read more
Coffee Quality, Brewing and Roasting Research
Do Light Roasts or Dark Roasts Have More Caffeine? Study: Maybe Medium
New research suggests that everything coffee people have known about how roast level (light, medium, dark, etc.) affects caffeine levels was mostly wrong, but also sort of right… read more
New E-Nose Identifies Coffee with Up to 98% Accuracy
Researchers in Taiwan have developed an electronic nose (e-nose) that they say can correctly identify a coffee based on its aroma with up to 98% accuracy… read more
Study Shines New Light on Cold Brew Extraction, Aroma, and Storage
Researchers in China have discovered that cold-brewing coffee using a negative-pressure system can enhance the aromatics of the finished brew… read more
This Headgear Might Help You Understand Your Feelings About Coffee
Researchers in Italy say they have demonstrated the feasibility of using wearable technology, like headgear, to measure emotional responses to coffee tasting… read more
Study: Roast Profiles Affect Sourness and Acidity in Coffee
University of California Davis Coffee Center researchers recently illuminated a path for professional coffee roasters to control sourness and total acidity… read more
Through Sound, Scientists Transform Espresso Machine into Quick Cold Brewer
Researchers in Australia have successfully converted a home espresso machine into a sonic reactor that they say can produce desirable cold brew in mere minutes, as opposed to a period of hours or days… read more
Coffee and Health Research
Study: Coffee Drinking May Increase Healthspan by Nearly Two Years
A major academic review of coffee-and-health-related literature over the past two decades found that regular moderate coffee consumption is associated with decreased all-cause mortality and chronic diseases… read more
Because You Can’t Be Trusted, Scientists Present a Coffee Biomarker
Be warned, liars: Researchers in Germany say they have identified a reliable biomarker for coffee consumption that can verify whether or not people have recently drunk coffee… read more
Study: Coffee Drinkers Less Likely to Have Colon Cancer Recurrence
Coffee drinkers are far less likely to experience a recurrence of colon cancer, according to a major new observational study… read more
Study Finds Links Between Coffee, Sitting, and Mortality
The study found that, over a 13-year period, prolonged sitting, defined as more than eight hours a day, was linked to a significantly higher risk of death from all causes, and specifically from cardiovascular disease (CVD)… read more
Study: Price Volatility Affects Mental Health of Smallholder Coffee Farmers
“Our results suggest that not only poverty, but also the risk of poverty caused by fluctuating prices has a significant additional negative effect on the mental well-being of farmers in low-income countries.”… read more
Study: Coffee May Protect Brains That Had Early-Life Stress
Naturally occurring chemical compounds in coffee may mitigate cognitive deficits occurring later in life that are associated with early-life stress, according to a new study… read more
Study: Caffeine Might Worsen Negative Brain Changes Caused by Sleep Deprivation
While coffee, the magic elixir, is often used to counteract lack of sleep, new research suggests repeated caffeine intake may be exacerbating negative changes to the brain caused by sleep deprivation… read more
Study: Coffee Associated With Improved Muscle Mass in US Adults
A new study involving thousands of United States adults over several years shows a promising connection between coffee consumption and increased skeletal muscle mass… read more
All the Reasons a Cup of Coffee Really Can Be Good for You
There’s lots of research out there to show that moderate coffee intake is linked with all sorts of benefits. As well as well-known pluses improving heart health, a daily cup of coffee even seems to be good for your brain and may help prevent mental illness… read more
Study: Coffee May Reduce Dementia Risk in Hypertensive People
Moderate coffee and tea consumption may help protect people with high blood pressure from developing dementia, according to a major new study… read more
Does Drinking Coffee While Pregnant Cause ADHD? Our Study Shows There’s No Strong Link
Some studies have shown increased coffee consumption during pregnancy is associated with the child having neurodevelopmental difficulties. These may include traits linked to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as difficulties with language, motor skills, attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. But is coffee the cause?… read more
Study: Coffee Greatly Reduces Risk of Co-Existing Cardio Diseases
New research shows that moderate coffee consumption may reduce risk of having two or more cardio or metabolic diseases at the same time… read more
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