Your comprehensive guide to distinguishing between original and adulterated coffee in Egypt (and common methods of adulteration)

“Real coffee or fake coffee?” Watch out… your cup is in danger Coffee lovers in Egypt, those of you looking for a cup that awakens your senses and gives you moments of pure pleasure, did you know that your passion for coffee may be subject to deception? In the Egyptian coffee market, with increasing demand, unfortunately, some practices aimed at adulterating coffee are spreading, depriving you of the real experience and affecting your health.

At El abed Coffee, we believe in your right to enjoy pure, authentic coffee, which is why we are providing you with this comprehensive guide to help you fully understand how to distinguish between genuine and adulterated coffee, as well as the most common methods of adulteration in the Egyptian market.

Don’t let your favorite mood be a victim of fraud. Keep reading to learn how to protect yourself and ensure that every moment with your cup is a real pleasure.

Why is coffee adulterated? Motives behind these practices

Coffee is a high-value commodity, and with the rise in raw coffee prices, some unscrupulous individuals resort to adulterating coffee for several reasons:

• Increasing profits: The main goal is to reduce costs and increase profit margins by mixing coffee with cheaper, lower-quality ingredients.
• Increasing weight and volume: Adding other ingredients increases the weight and volume of the coffee sold, tricking consumers into thinking they are getting more.
• Improving the deceptive appearance: Sometimes, substances are added to improve the color or appearance of the coffee to make it more appealing, even if this is at the expense of quality and flavor.
• Taking advantage of consumer ignorance: Fraudsters rely on consumers’ lack of knowledge about the subtle differences between genuine and adulterated coffee.

The most common methods of fraud in the Egyptian coffee market

Unfortunately, there are various methods of coffee fraud in Egypt, the most prominent of which are:

A. Adding cheap ingredients to increase weight:

• Peas and crushed chickpeas: These are among the most common ingredients. They are roasted and ground with coffee, or even sold as pure coffee. They are difficult to distinguish with the naked eye after grinding.
• Toasted bread crumbs (breadcrumbs): These are ground and added to coffee to increase its weight and volume.
• Ground date pits: Sometimes used as a substitute for coffee, especially in instant coffee or cheap blends.
• Ground peanuts: Added to increase weight and give a certain texture.

B. Use of low-quality or damaged beans:

• Poor-quality Robusta beans: These are mixed in large quantities with Arabica beans to reduce costs, which affects the flavor and makes it more bitter.
• Damaged or defective coffee: Using coffee beans that have been damaged, moldy, or not processed properly.

C. Adding artificial colors or chemicals:

• Artificial colors: To give the coffee a dark color that suggests it is well roasted, even if it is poor quality or adulterated.
• Poor preservatives or flavor enhancers: These may be added to mask the defects of the coffee or give it an unnatural flavor.

How can you tell the difference between real and adulterated coffee? Your practical guide

To protect yourself from fraud, here are some signs that will help you tell the difference between real and adulterated coffee:

A. Visual inspection:

• Coffee color: Genuine ground coffee has a uniform brown color. If you notice unusually light or dark spots, or a color that tends toward jet black (which may indicate that the coffee has been burned to hide its flaws), it may be adulterated.
• Texture and feel: Genuine ground coffee is smooth and powdery. If it is very coarse or contains hard lumps or foreign particles, it may be adulterated with other substances.
• Shine: Freshly roasted authentic coffee may have a slight shine due to natural oils. Adulterated coffee may appear dull or unnatural.

B. Smell test:

• Smell before preparation: Genuine coffee has a strong, distinctive coffee aroma, whether ground or in beans. If the aroma is weak or mixed with foreign odors (such as roasted legumes or bread), this is an indication of adulteration.
• Smell during preparation: When preparing authentic coffee, a rich and distinctive coffee aroma spreads. If the aroma is light or unfamiliar, this is another clue.

C. Taste test:

• Bitterness: Authentic coffee has a balanced and acceptable bitterness. Adulterated coffee may have a very sharp and unpleasant bitterness, or it may have an exaggerated earthy or sour taste.
• Flavor: Genuine coffee has a distinctive and complex flavor (depending on the type of coffee and the degree of roasting). If the taste is bland, pungent, or inconsistent, this indicates adulteration.
• Mouthfeel: Genuine coffee leaves a certain mouthfeel (creamy, light, heavy). Adulterated coffee may leave a powdery or gritty sensation in the mouth.

D. Cold water test (simple home test):

• Put a teaspoon of ground coffee in a cup of cold (not hot) water.

• Genuine coffee: It will remain on the surface of the water for a while, may settle very slowly, and will not immediately change the color of the water.
• Adulterated coffee: If it is adulterated with substances such as starch, flour, or ground legumes, you will notice that it dissolves quickly in water and immediately changes color to dark brown, and sediment may form at the bottom of the cup.

Ben Al Abed: Your guarantee of authentic and pure coffee

At El abed Coffee, we adhere to the highest standards of quality and transparency to ensure that you receive an authentic and pure cup of coffee. We recognize the importance of trust between us and our customers, which is why:

• We select the finest coffee beans: We work with reliable, world-renowned farms and carefully inspect each batch of coffee to ensure its purity and quality.
• Professional roasting and processing: We use the latest technology and the highest standards of hygiene in all stages of roasting and packaging to ensure that the coffee is free of any impurities or additives.
• No additives: Al-Abed coffee is 100% pure, containing no additives or adulterants, only pure coffee beans that give you an authentic taste.
• Experience and credibility: Our long history in the Egyptian coffee market is a testament to our commitment to quality and credibility, and we have built our reputation on the trust of our customers.

Awareness is your first weapon against coffee fraud. Now that you know the differences and common methods of fraud, you can be more cautious when buying coffee. Always remember that quality comes at a price, and that investing in authentic coffee means investing in your health and enjoyment.

Conclusion: Choose wisely, enjoy the authenticity of El abed Coffee

At El abed Coffee, we offer you more than just coffee; we offer you the trust, quality, and authentic taste you deserve. Don’t compromise on your favorite cup.

Order El Abed Coffee today and enjoy a pure, authentic cup that awakens your senses and gives you real energy.