Process for the recovery of volatile coffee constituents.

摘要

A process for the production of a soluble coffee product which process comprises the steps of :- i) subjecting roast and ground coffee to extraction with an extraction liquid in a series of extraction columns to extract soluble components therefrom and thereby produce a coffee extract; ii) passing the coffee extract obtained from the final extraction column in step (i) to a flash stipping vessel whereby the volatile constituents are flashed therefrom; iii) condensing the flashed vapours to produce a flavour and/or aroma enhancing constituent; iv) passing non-condensible constituents of the vapour stream to a scrubber, optionally together with grinder gases and/or vent gases, absorbing the said non-condensible constituents into water; v) adding the condensate, or a part of the condensate, from step (iii) and the liquid offtake from the scrubber of step (iv) to the coffee extract from step (ii) prior to drying; and vi) drying the enhanced coffee extract in order to produce a soluble coffee product.