An easy way to discriminate Yemeni against Ethiopian coffee.

Abstract The elemental profiling of sixteen coffee samples collected from eight major coffee producing Yemeni governorates was determined. Analyses were performed using inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-optical emission spectroscopy (OES). Among macro elements, K showed the highest levels. Ca was also present in high quantity in Yemeni coffee. This elevated content is in sharp contrast with coffees from Ethiopia and thus Ca-content can be used to differentiate Yemeni and Ethiopian coffees, the two most highly rated coffees on a commercial standpoint. Results were confirmed by chemometric (principal component and hierarchical agglomerative clustering) analyses. Highlights • 24 elements were quantified in 16 Yemeni coffee samples. • No toxic elements were detected. • Yemeni and Ethiopian coffees are in competion on the high prized coffee. • Macro element content can be used to discriminate Yemeni against Ethiopian coffee. • The geographic origin of Yemeni coffee can be certified by macroelement determination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]