Climate Change and Coffee Quality: Systematic Review on the Effects of Environmental and Management Variation on Secondary Metabolites and Sensory Attributes of Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora

Abstract

Climate change is impacting crop performance and agricultural systems around the world with implications for farmers and consumers. We carried out a systematic review to synthesize evidence regarding the effects of environmental factors associated with climate change and management conditions associated with climate adaptation on the crop quality of a culturally-relevant perennial crop, coffee (Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora). Seventy-three articles were identified that addressed the study's research question including 42 articles on environmental factors, 20 articles on management conditions, and 11 articles on both. While variation was found between studies, findings highlight that coffee quality is vulnerable to changes in light exposure, altitude, water stress, temperature, carbon dioxide, and nutrient management. Both increases as well as decreases were found in secondary metabolites and sensory attributes that determine coffee quality in response to shifts in environmental and management conditions. The most consistent evidence identified through this systematic review includes the following two trends: (1) increased altitude is associated with improved sensory attributes of coffee and; (2) increased light exposure is associated with decreased sensory attributes of coffee. Research gaps were found regarding the effects of shifts in carbon dioxide, water stress, and temperature on the directionality (increase, decrease, or non-linear) of coffee quality and how this varies with location, elevation, and management conditions. This systematic review further identified the following research needs: (1) long-term studies that examine the interactive effects of multiple environmental factors and management conditions on coffee quality; (2) studies that examine the interaction between sensory attributes and secondary metabolites that determine coffee quality and; (3) studies on the feasibility of various climate-adaptation strategies for mitigating the effects of climate change on coffee quality. Evidence-based innovations are needed to mitigate climate impacts on coffee quality toward enhanced sustainability and resilience of the coffee sector from farm to cup.

Influence of pre-and post-harvest factors on the organoleptic and physicochemical quality of coffee: a short review

“…Coffee producers like in Central America are increasingly experiencing climate conditions outside optimal ranges, including heat waves and droughts that are expected to impact coffee production and its geographic range (Ahmed et al. 2021 ). It has been estimated that areas to grow Arabica will be affected by 300 m up the altitudinal gradient until 2050 (Chemura et al.…”

“…Both species can tolerate low temperatures, but not frost (Ahmed et al. 2021 ). Table 3 presents soil characteristics for good coffee quality.…”

Mapping the mountainous climate in the Matas de Minas region, Brazil which influences the top-quality coffee beverages

“…To get differentiated coffees (Fernandez et al, 2020), particularly coffees produced in mountainous areas, the research conducted by Camargo and Camargo (2001), Ferreira et al (2016), Silveira et al (2016), and Zaidan et al (2017) have emphasized the importance of the influence of climatic factors such as "altitude and the mountain slope towards the sun" and the climatic elements "precipitation and minimum temperatures", and the existence of a period with water deficit, with the influence of these last two variables (climatic elements and water deficit) associated mainly to the Bean-set phase and Fruit ripening. However, there is no consensus about the environmental characteristic (Ahmed et al, 2120) that most contributes to the high quality of the coffee produced in the Matas de Minas region.…”

Sustainability certification, climate risk perception and smallholder coffee production in Rwanda

“…shifting from complex agroforestry systems to monoculture or overusing chemical inputs, further compromise the productive potential of the coffee-growing regions (Bro et al, 2020). This has notable implications for farmer livelihoods and management decisions (Ahmed et al, 2021), and climate change adaptation, therefore, takes a centre stage in the agricultural development discourse (Mulinde et al, 2019).…”

“…As a consequence, geographic regions suitable for coffee cultivation will change, and crop productivity and crop quality decrease (Bunn et al, 2015b;Ovalle-Rivera et al, 2015). This has notable implications for farmer livelihoods and management decisions (Ahmed et al, 2021). To reduce the adverse effects of climate change, farmers have to take measures to achieve their food, income and livelihood security (Hassan and Nhemachena, 2008).…”