Carbon dioxide evolution and moisture evaporation during roasting of coffee beans

Evolution of carbon dioxide and water vapor during roasting of coffee was followed in an isothermal high-temperature short-time and a low-temperature long-time roasting process. In addition, CO2 release during storage of roasted beans was followed. CO2 and water vapor concentration were assayed in the exhaust air by nondispersive infrared gas analysis. Although CO2 evolution rates differed in the 2 processes, the final total amount of CO2 released after 63 d of storage remained equal. CO2 evolution and differentiation between evaporation of initial water and chemically formed water showed that chemical reactions leading to relevant amounts of CO2 and water start at approximately 180 degrees C. A mass balance established on the present measurements was able to account fairly well for the gravimetrically measured roast loss.