What is the Potato Defect in Coffee? Potato defect, also called PTD, is a fault found in the unroasted coffee that develops when the coffee is still in cherry form on the trees. It affects the taste and aroma of roasted and ground coffee. Is it safe to drink? PTD is not toxic to humans and only affects the taste and aroma of coffee. How can we identify it? The good thing is you do not need to be an “expert taster” to find it. PTD smells and tastes like a raw potato or sometimes described as iceberg lettuce and dirt. When a barista grinds a batch to brew, the odor can be identified. Potato defect is very strong and...
In broad strokes, places with a distinct profile have strong soils and biodiversity. In Part Two of our intro to coffee terroir, we delve into shade trees, organic material, and other factors in the ecology of a farm.
In the first of a series, we unpack terroir--the effect of a coffee's origin on flavor--starting with climate. Ever wonder why we list elevation on our info sheets? Here's your answer.
