Making Coffee with Lucia Solis

#31: What Are We Measuring When We Measure Brix?

January 19, 2021 Lucia
Making Coffee with Lucia Solis
#31: What Are We Measuring When We Measure Brix?
Show Notes

I hope the previous podcast episode helped open your mind to some of the challenges we face in talking about sugar in the coffee industry. In today's episode we are adding another element, another piece of the puzzle—the refractometer and the other instruments used to measure sugar.

In today's episode we will see how a refractometer can give a high Brix reading even when there is zero sugar in the sample. Or, how it is possible to get negative Brix readings.

I think understanding more about the the instruments we use, helps us understand the limitations of measuring Brix at all.


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Cover Art by: Nick Hafner
Intro song: Elijah Bisbee

Mentioned in the Episode:
Why is This Happening Podcast: Pappy Van Winkle
TTB Alcohol Tax Chart
Sugar Cane exporting Countries