A study was conducted in Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to evaluate the quality of coffee cv. Catuai harvested at
14-day intervals from 31 May to 23 August 1999. For each harvest period, 480 litres of fruits taken from 250 plants were
used. Fruits that fell on the ground were also sampled. The fruits were dried until a moisture content of 11-13% was
obtained. Differences between harvest periods were observed in terms of coloration index, content of reducing, non-
reducing and total sugars, activities of polygalacturonase and polyphenol oxidase [catechol oxidase], titratable acidity,
contents of caffeine, total phenolics, chlorogenic acid, leaching and total number of defects. The contents of total and
soluble pectin, percentage of solubility, activity of pectin methylesterase [pectinesterase] and 100-bean weight did not
show significant variation with the advance or delay of harvest.