Coffee Roaster
Description and Expectations
Learning objective: to learn how to process (roasting, grinding, and packaging) green coffee beans for wholesale while also learning about the science behind coffee.
Deliverables: During the course of the semester, you will be required to do the following: a) Put together an independent study proposal in consultation with a faculty advisor (within 1st two weeks). b) Orally present your role in the project to other project members (within ~1 month of starting). c) Undergo “Standard Operating Procedures” (SOP) training in the coffee roasting lab. d) Roast and package coffee for retail customers. e) Conduct one scientific investigation related to coffee and present to project members (within 2 weeks of the end of the semester). f) Write a paper (2 page minimum) documenting your scientific investigation and over experience working on the project (due before end of regular classes).
Commitment: 3 hours weekly (0.25 credit): attend biweekly project meetings, while executing the coffee roasting operations.
Monmouth College Independent Study Agreement Attachment
Chem-420 Coffee Processor
1. Rationale: This independent study course will involve the purchase, processing (roasting, grinding, and packaging) and evaluation of coffee as a part of the Monmouth Coffee Project. Participation will provide the student an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a live science/business setting.
2. Goals: The student will learn the scientific aspects associated with coffee. The student will evaluate the effects of roasting temperature on the caffeine levels in the final brewed coffee product. Caffeine analysis will be done using HPLC and UV-Vis spectroscopy.
3. Requirements: Student will: 1) attend weekly project meetings, 2) process ~5 lbs of product depending on customer demand, and 3) define a scientific method to collect caffeine data. Student will submit a 3-5 page paper describing the use of HPLC to determine caffeine levels in brewed coffee. It is expected that the student will spend ~4 hours per week working on the above.