The present study aimed to investigate coffee flavour perception and release as function of serving temperature
to support standardisation in the specialty coffee branch. The coffee cultivar Bourbon Caturra
was evaluated at six serving temperatures ranging from 31 _C to 62_C. Coffee samples were analysed
by dynamic headspace sampling gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and descriptive analyses using
sip-and-spit tasting. The release of volatiles followed mostly the van’t Hoff principle and was exuberated
at temperatures above 40 _C. Aliphatic ketones, alkylpyrazines, some furans and pyridines increased most
notably at temperatures P50 _C. The changes in volatile release profiles could explain some of the sensory
differences observed. The flavour notes of ‘sour’, ‘tobacco’ and ‘sweet’ were mostly associated with
the coffees served at 31–44 _C, whereas coffees served between 50 _C and 62 _C exhibited stronger
‘overall intensity’, ‘roasted’ flavour and ‘bitter’ notes.