*Products and sub products covered under EUDRegulations for
coffee (and its processes)*
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Coffee
Sub Products (as mentioned in EUDR products and sub products document):
1. Coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated;
2. coffee husks and skins;
3. coffee substitutes containing coffee in any proportion
[Instant coffee, coffee capsules, flavoured coffee, coffee syrups, coffee liquor,
coffee oil, ice coffee, etc]
Advanced Coffee supply chain visual representation:
General Coffee supply chain processes and steps:
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Farming and Harvesting: Coffee beans begin as seeds planted in large
beds in shaded nurseries. After sprouting, the seedlings are moved to
individual pots and eventually planted on coffee farms, mainly in tropical
countries. The beans are harvested either by hand, which is labor-intensive
but precise, or mechanically.
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Processing: Once harvested, the coffee cherries go through processing to
remove the coffee bean from the cherry. There are two primary methods:
1. Dry Processing: The harvested cherries are spread out in the
sun to dry. Workers turn them regularly to ensure even drying.
2. Wet Processing: The cherries are first soaked in water,
where bad or unripe cherries float and are removed. Then,
machines remove the pulp, and the beans are fermented in
water to remove the mucilage before being dried.
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Milling: After drying, the beans are hulled, removing the parchment layer (in
the case of wet processing) or the entire dried husk (dry processing). Further
sorting and cleaning are done to remove any defective beans and to grade
the coffee.
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Storage and exporting: The milled beans (one of the coffe sub products),
now referred to as "green coffee," are packed into sacks and shipped to
importing countries.
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Roasting: Importers and roasters taste, or "cup," the coffee to determine its
quality and profile. Roasting transforms green coffee into the aromatic brown
beans that are sold to consumers. The roasting process varies significantly
depending on the desired flavor profile.
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Grinding and packaging: Roasted beans are then ground to a specified
coarseness or fineness depending on the intended brewing method.
Packaging is the final step before distribution to retailers or direct sale to
consumers.
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Brewing: For traditional coffee consumption, where the end product is a cup
of coffee, brewing is the process of extracting the flavors and compounds
from the ground coffee beans by passing hot water through them. This step
comes right after grinding the roasted coffee beans and is the final step
before the coffee is ready to drink.
Most of the generic processes ends here. For some sub products additional industrial
processes are like this:
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Solubilizing and Drying (for instant coffee): After grinding, the coffee is
brewed with highly efficient extraction methods to create a concentrated
coffee solution.
The coffee solution is then either freeze-dried or spray-dried. Freeze-drying
involves freezing the coffee extract and then reducing the surrounding
pressure to remove the ice by sublimation. Spray-drying blasts the coffee
extract through hot air in a drying chamber, quickly evaporating the water,
leaving behind fine coffee powder.
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Nitrogen flushing (for coffee capsules): Often, the ground coffee packed
into capsules or pods is flushed with nitrogen to displace oxygen. This helps
in preserving the freshness and extending the shelf life of the coffee by
preventing oxidation.
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Flavour infusion (for flavoured coffee): After grinding and before
packaging, the coffee grounds are mixed with flavor oils or syrups. The flavor
compounds are designed to bond with the coffee grounds, ensuring that the
flavor is retained during brewing.
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Concentration and sweetning (and flavouring) (for coffee syrups): After
grinding and brewing, the coffee extract is further concentrated by
evaporating the water. This can be done under reduced pressure to lower the
boiling point and preserve the coffee's flavor.
For syrups, sugar, and sometimes additional flavors, are added to the
concentrated coffee to create a sweet, flavorful product.
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Infusion (for coffee liquor): While not necessarily an additional process
after grinding, for coffee liquor, the ground coffee is steeped in alcohol for an
extended period, allowing the flavors to infuse into the liquid. The mixture is
then filtered, and additional ingredients (like sugar) may be added before
bottling.
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Extraction (for coffee oil): Coffee oil can be extracted from the grounds after
brewing. This process typically involves using a solvent or pressing the
grounds to extract the oil. The solvent is then removed, leaving behind the
pure oil.
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Cooling and flavoring (for ice coffee): After brewing, the coffee is quickly
cooled down to lock in flavor. Flavorings or sweeteners may be added at this
stage before the coffee is chilled or served over ice.
Certifications that comes under coffee supply chain:
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Fair Trade Certification
Rainforce alliance Certification
UTZ Certification
Specialty coffee association Certification
Organic Certification
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Shade grown Certification
Bird friendly Certification
Direct trade Certification
*User experience journey for a coffee supply chain product*
1. User onboarding and education: Welcome tour and educational resources
like a brief interactive guide highlighting the system’s key features (as per
EUDRegulations guidelines) and benefits or access to articles, videos, and
webinars on EUDR requirements, best practices for traceability, and how to
ensure compliance effectively.Also we can provide information about the
importance of these certifications and how they align with sustainability and
ethical practices. This helps users understand the value of sourcing certified
coffee.
2. Account creation and configuration: Input basic information, including
company details, product/sub-product details and role in the supply chain.
Additionally, we can provide guidance on configuring the account for
deforestation regulation compliance, including setting up supply chain
transparency and risk assessment criteria + requirements for due digillence.
Also, need users to specify if they prefer to work with suppliers that have
specific certifications. This preference can be used to match them with
suitable suppliers in the platform.
3. Supply chain transparency: A visual tool for users to map their entire supply
chain, from raw material sourcing to final product. Also, facility to upload and
manage documents proving suppliers’ compliance with deforestation
regulations.
When mapping the supply chain, include fields to document the certification
status of each supplier. This visual representation can help users quickly
identify certified partners and assess the overall sustainability of their supply
chain.
4. Risk assessment and management: Analyze supply chain data to identify
high-risk areas (including mixing with other products/sub-products) or
suppliers in relation to deforestation. Templates and guidance for developing
and implementing mitigation strategies for identified risks. We should consider
certifications as positive factors in the risk assessment process. Suppliers
with certain certifications may present lower risks regarding environmental
sustainability and social responsibility.
5. Due diligence reporting: Pre-designed templates (as per aarti mam's
document in EUDR group) that align with EUDR reporting requirements,
simplifying the report creation process and a secure channel for submitting
due diligence reports, with tracking and confirmation of receipt.
Facilitate the upload and management of certification documents for both the
user company and its suppliers. This documentation is crucial for
demonstrating compliance with sustainability standards and regulatory
requirements.
6. UAT: Easy-to-use feedback tools for users to report issues, suggest
improvements, or rate their experience. Regular system updates informed by
user feedback, regulatory changes, and technological advancements.
7. Other features that can be included in the system for better UX:
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Integration with satellite monitoring
Collaboration with other products/companies that are following EUDR
compliances
Dashboard + Analytics for each individual company
Sustainability reporting
Certification updates + feedback loop
Figma design for user journey in our EmerTrace platform for adding
product/sub-product under coffee supply chain:
Figma Link:
https://www.figma.com/file/FH5JdS89bE9vgKjE1QpuA1/EUDR-Coffee-supply-chain-User-jou
rney?type=whiteboard&node-id=0%3A1&t=75lbCbgTduQpPl6D-1