JAMAICAN COFFEE BOARD TO STUDY IMPACT OF STORAGE FACILITY CONDITIONS ON COFFEE QUALITY
BOURNE, MA, June 24, 2005 - The Jamaican Coffee Industry Board, a Kingston, Jamaica-based agency overseeing quality standards for Jamaican coffee, has begun conducting a series of indoor environment trials focused on coffee storage facilities throughout the island. The board is interested in studying the impact of indoor climate on the quality of Jamaican coffee, notably Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, one of the world's most recognized and sought-after coffee brands.
"Jamaican coffee beans are dried to an ideal moisture level of about 12%, and the storage environment needs to be stable in order to maintain that moisture level," according to Gail Nelson, a research office with the Coffee Industry Board. "Ideally, warehouse temperatures should be somewhere between 20-25° C and relative humidity in the 60-70% range."
The problem, Nelson explains, is that some of the facilities may not be environmentally stable for storing the high-value beans. This is due to a lack of environmental controls and the types of construction materials used in some of the buildings.
"We want to compare different warehouse conditions and find out how those conditions may be affecting bean moisture levels," says Nelson. "If the beans are losing too much moisture, there can be a negative impact on flavor and quality."
Using HOBO® data loggers from Massachusetts-based Onset Computer Corporation, temperature and relative humidity are recorded in eight different locations across the island. Measurements are taken every 15 - 30 minutes. Nelson periodically downloads the data onto a PC and uses accompanying software to compare time-stamped graphs of each warehouse to see how climate fluctuates.
"From these trials, we hope to be able to make some conclusions over time about the overall storage conditions of each facility and take corrective action if necessary, such as sealing off roofs or installing better environmental controls."
###
About Onset Computer Corporation
Onset Computer Corporation has been producing small, inexpensive, battery-powered data loggers and embedded controllers since 1981, and has sold over 900,000 loggers that are used throughout the world by over 40,000 customers. The company manufactures a broad range of data logger and weather station products that are used to measure temperature, humidity, light intensity, voltage, and a broad range of other parameters.
Onset products are used in a wide range of research, commercial, industrial, and educational applications.
MEDIA CONTACT
Evan Lubofsky, Public Relations Manager
Onset Computer Corporation
Direct Tel. 508-743-3181
evan_lubofsky@onsetcomp.com
READER CONTACT
Onset Computer Corporation
http://www.onsetcomp.com/hobo
800-564-4377 / 508-759-9500
