Coffee Excellence Center | ZHAW Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology ICBT

"While coffee is one of the most challenging subjects for science to tackle, it is also one of the most relevant to our daily life."

Prof. Dr. MBA Chahan Yeretzian
Professor for Analytical Chemistry, Bioanalytical Chemistry and Diagnostics, Head of Coffee Excellence Center and Head Analytical Technologies

The Coffee Excellence Center is the leading Public Research Institution on coffee along the coffee value chain: from crop to cup.

The Coffee Excellence Center was founded in 2008 by Prof. Dr. Chahan Yeretzian and has ever since expanded its scope and expertise to become the leading public science, technology and innovation center on coffee.

We believe that high-quality coffee can only be obtained with a profound and holistic understanding of the coffee value chain. Therefore, we are dedicated to state of the art research on coffee along the whole value chain.

We aim to disseminate our coffee expertise via publications and in post-graduate education programs.

Media

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Postgrad degree CAS in Coffee Excellence. Register for October 23 cohort!

Research Focus

The Coffee Excellence Center is organized along five pillars, each lead by a renowned coffee expert.

Origin and Green Coffee. Life cycle of Arabica, cultivation practices and post-processing methods of green coffee, analytical chemistry of non-volatile compounds and antioxidants in coffee: Dr. Sebastian Opitz
Transformation of Coffee. Roasting, grinding, degassing, packaging, freshness: Dr. Samo Smrke
Extraction and Sensory. Extraction of coffee, analysis of coffee aroma, sensory analysis of coffee (Q Grader for Arabica), water treatment and characterization: Dr. Marco Wellinger
Aroma and Flavour of Coffee. Origin, characterisation, ageing
Sustainable Development. Sustainability aspects in the coffee value chain, smallholder farmers livelihoods, value adding in origin countries: Dr. Sebastian Opitz, Sabine de Castelberg

Selection of Current Contributions of the Research Group

Industry Partners

We believe that the most demanding form of research is that which is put into practice. Through close, project-based collaboration with our industrial partners, we focus our skills, resources and infrastructure on the current needs of our partners and explore fundamental issues that can help us anticipate future requirements.

Continuing Education

Video: breaking coffee myth with science (3:14)

E-Learning CAS in Coffee Excellence

The postgraduate programme Certificate of Advanced Studies «CAS in Coffee Excellence» is an online learning programme in English designed at the highest level of the coffee training path.

More information on the CAS in Coffee Excellence (course page and registration)

The CAS in Coffee Excellence programme is offered in cooperation with:

Cooperation Partner: The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) supports the dissemination, communication and networking (e.g. ALUMNI events) of the CAS program.

Research Partner: The Coffee Excellence Center joins forces with leaders and innovators of the industry to continuously improve the content and quality of the CAS in Coffee Excellence. Research-Partners are Sucafina SA, Sanremo Coffee Machines, BWT AG, Probat, HACO AG. The main objectives of the Research Partnership is:

Insight: Create deeper insight and mastery of coffee through joint research projects on coffee.
Education: Apply new insight to upgrade the content and quality of CAS in Coffee Excellence. Educate and train next-generation coffee scientists and technologists.
Dissemination: Communicate and share results through publications, conferences, and media.