Up until now, coffee processing has been exclusive care of a professional roaster who was responsible for creating the perfect taste result in all stages of roasting, whether it was about a single origin coffee or a blend.
However, the Roasting sector begins to alter significantly due to the rapid technological growth and the application of AI – or else artificial intelligence – in many aspects of life, from medicine and automobiles to smart electronic devices, customer service etc., since AI can work as… a roaster!
Yes, you have heard right, an algorithm can find the perfect combination of a blend. Imagine Jarvis, the official assistant of Tony Stark from the Avengers, to create you a coffee blend.
As scaring as it may sounds, it can work under certain conditions of course. Basic information such as origin, cup profile, processing etc., according to the products that a company uses, is entered to the algorithm by a professional, a computer genius, in order to find by itself the most amazing taste combination that will skyrocket all coffee lovers’ senses.
Of course, its skills do not stop there since the algorithm can find not only its brand name but also its final appearance (shocking right?!). Many Scandinavian companies, such as Kaffa Roastery, have made their initial steps in forming a technological blend pushing the boundaries of conventional flavor combinations.
Yet, various questions and concerns rise about this novelty that need to be taken into consideration in order to decide whether to implement this or not. Can it detect any defects of the raw material? Is it capable of creating a result with passion and energy that a roaster offers? What will happen to their professional rehabilitation since it’s a possible scenario that they lose their job? What financial implications – and non – bring upon a business?
Before we follow this course, we need to take into mind all the above-mentioned variables so as to avoid any consequences. At Harvest Coffee Roasters, we surely choose our people!
It remains to be seen…
Sources: Kaffa Roastery, Sprudge, Perfect Daily Grind.
