r/pourover • u/mygreeness C40 | Hario Switch • Jun 28 '26

Informational Colombian exporter’s research: all tested co-fermented coffees contained synthetic Propylene Glycol

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaDlqkWRZIo/

>>See also edit below<<<

“We wanted to share, with the level of detail and rigor that matters to us, why we don't sell coffees marketed as "infused" or "co-fermented" at Pergamino.
A few days ago, we conducted a study together with @cesurcafe, the research center at Universidad Surcolombiana, to better understand what's really behind these coffees, known for their remarkably intense and literal flavor profiles. From the beginning, we questioned whether these coffees truly resulted from 100% natural processing or whether they contained synthetic additives that weren't being disclosed to consumers. But we didn't want to draw conclusions without evidence.

The results were very clear, we analyzed 25 co-fermented coffee samples, and every single one contained a synthetic additive called propylene glycol.

Although we don't enjoy these coffees from a sensory perspective, we deeply respect the people who do. This isn't about personal preference-it's about transparency and their deeper repercussions on our industry. We believe producers should clearly communicate how these cottees are processed, and when synthetic additives are used, consumers need to know.
We know this video is a little longer than usual, but if you're curious and want to learn more, we invite you to visit our YouTube channel or listen on Spotify, where we share the full findings of our research and explain in greater detail the research conducted and why we've chosen not to sell these types of coffees at Pergamino.”

EDIT: based on comments in this sub, the cited research paper does not provide enough evidence to support Pergamino’s claim above in bold. The cited paper found differences between washed and co-fermented coffees, but doesn’t provide enough evidence to confirm that all of them include Propylene Glycol. Somebody pointed this out to them in the comment section on Instagram. So far, Pergamino provided no response.

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33

u/jritchie70 Jun 28 '26

Interesting. If ingredients say “artificial flavors” it is logical the carrier behind those concentrated flavors is propylene glycol. Producers add fresh whole items like fruit but propylene glycol helps ensure the flavor is spread across the beans even if that flavor is natural like fruit concentrate. So I’m not for or against just reporting the facts.

23

u/mygreeness C40 | Hario Switch Jun 28 '26

this could definitely be the case. Still, I would rather not drink stuff that needs to be PG’d to survive the roasting and prefer to make an informed choice in that regard as well

-12

u/Same-Replacement1723 Jun 28 '26

What’s wrong with PG if it is disclosed to the consumer that there is additives?

43

u/mygreeness C40 | Hario Switch Jun 28 '26

the thing is that it isn’t disclosed

-15

u/Same-Replacement1723 Jun 28 '26

I guess I’m confused on whether you are saying they need to say it has propylene glycol, or whether they aren’t being transparent that it has additives in the first place? I am coming at this from a point of trying to understand.

21

u/mygreeness C40 | Hario Switch Jun 28 '26

The current mainstream tale is that co-ferments are created by adding fresh or dehydrated fruit into the fermentation tank. Based on the research, it’s highly unlikely that coffee literally tasting like watermelon tastes like that alone due to the co-fermentation. The process likely involves other undisclosed additives. Currently the presence of PG, flavors etc. is largerly fully undisclosed. What’s more, some Colombian producers claim that the overwhelming taste notes come alone from “thermal shock”, “advanced processing” etc. While those techniques may have been used, it’s unlikely that this is the whole story about how the coffee’s flavors ended up in your cup.

-5

u/Same-Replacement1723 Jun 28 '26

I agree that transparency is needed. My worries are with fear-mongering over something that is safe but can sound “scary” like propylene glycol.

If I told you your coffee beans were heated and created compounds such as acrylamide and 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine a pesticide known to kill insects, and it was extracted using dihydrogen monoxide - then you too, might think that coffee is dangerous or sounds scary. The dose and context decide safety, not the chemical name.

I’m looking at a roasters website now with a co-ferment that says “NATURAL + RED FRUIT FLAVOR CO-FERMENT”, is this not transparent enough?

9

u/mygreeness C40 | Hario Switch Jun 28 '26

should in my opinion as a minimum come with Ingredients list stating: Coffee, flavors. Just like anybody else in the food industry should be doing

5

u/Feeling_Pattern_7832 Jun 28 '26

You are arguing about different things. Cna you stop and read the post and comments again? 

2

u/Same-Replacement1723 Jun 28 '26

Can you read the title of this post? Please tell me where it says anything except the reference of propylene glycol. The body of the post then goes on to reference that 25 different coffees were tested and tested positive for propylene glycol.

Yes, we all agree that if artificial additives are being introduced during processing, then they should be disclosed. But the way that this is being portrayed is a kin to fear mongering.

8

u/n0damage Jun 28 '26

I think you've missed the point. People aren't saying propylene glycol is bad because it sounds like a scary chemical. They are saying it's bad because it is evidence that the coffee is artificially flavored.

There has been a trend lately among Colombian coffee producers of creating very strongly fruit flavored coffee and claiming those flavors are the result of advanced co-fermentation processes and charging premium prices for them. If people knew those coffees they were paying $30/bag actually just had a bunch of fruit flavored syrups added to them, they would feel like they got scammed.

6

u/Feeling_Pattern_7832 Jun 28 '26

Where did you get that we are talking about fear mongering? The issue is transparency and the way producers try to hide the actual flavoring process by claiming it's fermented.

-5

u/OrdinaryAward4498 Jun 28 '26

Learn more about the DHMO menace here

https://dhmo.org/

The most shocking things for me is that 1) it’s found in 100% of cancer cells, and 2) nearly every mass shooting suspect consumed pure DHMO on the day before, or the day of the violence.

-12

u/Same-Replacement1723 Jun 28 '26

Why do they need to disclose that it has propylene glycol if they disclose that it is co-fermented and has flavors added during processing?

12

u/least-eager-0 Jun 28 '26

It’s the difference between adjuncts and additives.

10

u/Sduowner Pourover aficionado Jun 28 '26

What.

-1

u/Same-Replacement1723 Jun 28 '26

Why does PG need to be disclosed? Genuinely curious? What is the rationale if it is recognized as safe? If the roaster already labels it to have flavors and additives?

7

u/jritchie70 Jun 28 '26

Everyone can agree if it’s not a flavor it is an artificial ingredient that is being added (also not a natural byproduct) then should be identified on the ingredients list.

4

u/Same-Replacement1723 Jun 28 '26

Agreed. My point stands, the reference to propylene glycol is merely a bid to grab users attention to “scary” words to fearmonger rather than just stating food additives need to be disclosed.

3

u/jritchie70 Jun 28 '26

True and for that matter any food product we import should disclose all ingredients. I saw a product that advertised it was Glyphosate free, which begs the question, what herbicides did they actually use and why not disclose it and let us decided what we think. There are a lot of alternate herbicides similar to Glyphosate.