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The physical or morphological integrity of the coffee bean during post-harvest processing directly influences the economic value and sensory quality of the coffee beverage. Breakdowns in the outer layers of the beans are characteristics observed for the morphological and economic classification of coffee beans during the commercialization of this product. However, physical changes in the inner layers of the beans that are not seen with the naked eye can also influence the sensory quality of the coffee. Therefore, the objective of this study was to relate changes in the physical structure of coffee beans roasted by four different processes (light, medium, dark, and baked) with the sensory attributes of the beverage. The analyses of the physical characteristics of the coffee beans were carried out by X-ray microtomography and the sensory profile was determined using the Specialty Coffee Association of America protocol. The roasting profile with the highest sensory scores showed higher values for total pore space volume and a negative Euler number. However, the roasting profiles that fluctuated between the highest and lowest of scores of the sensory attributes did not present standardized behavior for the connectivity, Euler number, and total pore space volume. Hence, morphological or physical changes in the coffee beans caused by the different types of roasting correlate with changes in the sensorial profile. Furthermore, the sensory discrimination of these coffee beans among the different roast profiles may be observed by the joint analysis of the flavor and fragrance scores.

Ripening cycles of the coffee are important for planning the harvest and post-harvest processing of the fruit and influence the sensory quality of the coffee beverage. In the Coffea arabica, the number of these annual cycles depends on the edaphoclimatic conditions, soil microbiota, altitude, and genotype. In this study, we present in an unprecedented way how the microbial communities (bacteria and fungi) of the soil and fruits of the coffee tree and the quality of chemical and sensory of coffee fruits can change depending on the harvest season. We also evaluated whether there is a relationship between changes in microbial communities (soil and fruits) and chemical and sensory panels of the coffee in two seasons. Cherry coffee fruits sampling and soil were carried out in September and November which have different edaphoclimatic conditions. Profiles of the microbial community and chemical and sensory panels of the samples were performed using the DGGE technique, Mid-infrared spectroscopy, and Specialty Coffee Association protocols. Microbial communities (soils and fruits) profile was different between distinct sampling periods. Composition of the coffee varies with the harvest since the coffees harvested in September have higher concentrations of caffeine and chlorogenic acids and lower concentrations of proteins and lipids compared to the samples collected later. A correlation between infrared spectrum and microbial community was observed in the second harvest period which had a final sensory score higher than another harvest. These results show that edaphoclimatic factors and microbial communities can be associated with the final quality of the beverage.