Quality and consistency are two of the most important characteristics of any successful roastery. Given the wide range of variables that roasters need to control and maintain, however, it’s not always so easy to balance the two. Staying on top of quality control needs to be a priority.
As with many other parts of the supply chain, AI technology can help roasters with their efforts to maintain coffee quality and consistency. At the same time, more advanced and intuitive machine features can improve operational efficiency, benefiting roasters in a number of ways.
The Rise of AI in the Coffee Industry
Automation is not a new concept, even in the coffee industry. Simple automated technology has been used for years for some simple, repeatable tasks, especially by producers who use mechanical harvesters to pick coffee cherries.
AI, however, is a much more modern addition to the coffee industry. While automation ultimately relies on humans to make decisions and implement workflows for machines, AI (or artificial intelligence) technology can be programmed to use information about certain repeatable tasks to improve efficiency and achieve a desired outcome.
This level of problem-solving has opened up many new possibilities across the coffee industry to minimize the potential for human error. In fact, a recent study shows that there is a 50% chance that AI could automate all jobs within 120 years .
Of course, this would have significant implications for coffee professionals around the world. But when AI is used in conjunction with human-driven actions and decisions, it can massively optimize performance, as well as improve coffee quality and consistency.
For example, specifically in coffee production, industry professionals use AI technology to:
Establish weather insurance and climate adaptation systems
Predict Coffee Prices
Generate and analyze specific data for EUDR compliance
Coffee shops have also embraced AI to improve efficiency and assist staff in their duties. The most prominent example is the concept stores that feature robot baristas, with many of them capable of preparing a variety of beverages . This allows coffee shop staff to spend more time focusing on other tasks, such as interacting with customers and managing inventory.
How has AI technology changed roasting?
We’ve seen AI being used at every level of the coffee supply chain to improve quality and streamline operations. The area that has seemingly embraced this technology the most, however, is roasting.
Lorenzo Mosca is a production engineer at IMF Roasters , a roasting equipment manufacturer in Italy.
“AI technology improves the consistency and reproducibility of many roasting processes,” he says. “Traditionally speaking, roasting coffee means adhering to a predefined roasting curve, which dictates parameters such as ideal temperature and total roasting time to achieve desired flavors and aromas.
“But when AI is integrated into roasting equipment, it can continuously monitor key parameters like temperature, airflow, and drum speed throughout the process,” he adds. “Then, when there are deviations from the specified roasting curve, AI systems can autonomously adjust variables in real time.”
With machine learning, AI could understand more about different variables that impact how we roast coffee, including origin , bean density and processing method. And with that, develop roasting profiles that produce better results.
Consistency is key
Consistency is a key part of this, as Lorenzo explains: “AI can help produce desired flavor profiles batch after batch, regardless of variations in roasting variables.”
Other machine features can help with this, too. For example, IMF roasters include 12 preset inlet temperature points and extensive control over air and drum rotation speeds.
“Roasters can precisely adjust parameters to match the specific requirements of different coffee beans, which ultimately leads to greater consistency,” says Lorenzo.
When quality is maintained throughout the roasting process, customers can experience coffee closer to its full flavor potential. This allows roasters to highlight the exceptional characteristics of the coffees they purchase and continue to refine their menu and brand identity.
Other ways AI can improve roasting
Improved quality control and repeatability are certainly two of the most beneficial implications of AI roasting technology. But there are several other important ways AI can support roasters.
Data collection and analysis are some of the most important. “The IMF software captures critical information throughout the roasting process, including green and roasted coffee weight, temperature, and total roasting time,” explains Lorenzo. “This data is recorded in real time and provides an accurate record of production.”
Managing green coffee inventory is another way. Smart software can track inventory and inform roasters about whether they need to order more of a particular coffee. IMF Roasters ’ silos , for example, include integrated software that monitors the weight of the green beans stored inside, as well as other important data points.
Similarly, AI systems can also control the movement of coffee within a roastery , whether it’s between storage silos and destoners or roasters and packaging stations. Not only does this help increase efficiency, but it can also allow staff to find ways to improve a roastery’s workflow.
Harnessing the power of AI
Whether a small business or a large-scale operation, AI technology can be a useful tool for many coffee roasters. And as a business grows, AI-driven management solutions can help owners streamline processes.
“As roasters grow, they may face challenges managing larger volumes of beans, orders and customers,” says Lorenzo. “Software management provides the tools and resources to remain efficient and maintain consistent quality.”
Additionally, there are many aspects of production roasting that are repetitive, and roasters can therefore use machine learning to their advantage. By transitioning from human actions to AI-driven actions, it inevitably frees up employees to focus on other areas of the business. Over time, this can pay significant dividends for roasters who have to stand next to their machines, or inventory managers who spend hours each week monitoring inventory levels.
Looking to the future
The future also holds much more potential for better leveraging AI technology in roasting.
“In the coming years, AI software can continue to advance coffee roasting by using machine learning algorithms to adapt and optimize roast profiles based on an even wider range of variables,” Lorenzo says. “This could include specific bean characteristics, environmental conditions, or even customer preferences.”
Theoretically, this means roasters can further improve and experiment with roast profiles, allowing them to customize sensory profiles and showcase the full spectrum of coffee flavors.
Preserving coffee quality and maintaining consistency are vital to the success of any roastery. Over time, AI software and machine learning will become increasingly integral parts of these processes.
Ultimately, using AI in conjunction with in-depth knowledge and expertise will help propel the coffee industry even further. And in the coming years, we can expect to see more and more roasters leveraging the power of AI-assisted technology to achieve the best results they can.
Leave your opinion on the transformation that AI is making not only in coffee but throughout the world.
Comentarios