CHAPTER 21: Minerals

The mineral composition of coffee and coffee products is considerably variable due to the influence of complex factors acting from the cultivation of the coffee plant to the final consumption of the coffee beverages. Major factors affecting minerals in coffee include botanical origin, environmental and agronomic growing conditions, industrial processing and different techniques of beverage preparation. Differences in mineral content of coffee products may affect their contribution to the total mineral intake in the diet. In this chapter, literature studies on mineral composition of coffee and coffee products are reviewed with special attention to analytical aspects, factors affecting composition during processing of the coffee beans and preparation of the beverage, and the potential contribution of coffee to the dietary mineral intake of the consumer.