Coffee quality and its interactions with environmental factors in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this work was to assess the geographic dist ribution of coffee quality in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, and to study its interactions with chemical and envi ronmental factors. Correlations between environmental factors, chemical compounds and sensory quality of partic ipants of the Minas Coffee Quality Contest were made through Principal Component Analysis and Biplot Graphics. The results showed discriminations of high and low scores as a result of environmental variables, demonstra ting a strong influence of temperature, rainfall, altitude and latitude on the quality of the coffees studied. In add ition to the environmental characteristics, the chemical compounds trigonelline, caffeine, and especially the acid- 5-cafeiolquinic were also relevant in discriminating the scores obtained through sensory analysis. This work is an initial indication of the factors that determine the quality of coffees produced in Minas Gerais.