COFFEE. 



The seeds of the Coffca arabica, after roasting at a temperature 

 approximating 200 C., are ground and employed in preparing the popular 

 beverage termed coffee. Various substitutes have been prepared by 

 manufacturers for the purpose of cheapening the cost of this beverage 

 and defrauding the consumers. In the manufacture of these so-called 

 substitutes and in the adulteration of genuine coffees, chicory, cereals, 

 etc., occupy a prominent place. These substances have little, if any thing, 

 in common with coffee and possess none of the latter's valuable prop- 

 erties. It is the purpose of this report to deal with methods for the 

 detection of these substances in considerable detail, but first certain 

 statistical and other data will be considered. 



STATISTICS OF COFFEE CONSUMPTION. 



The following statistical statements are based on the Report of the 

 United States Treasury Department: ' 



Imports of coffees, less the amount exported. 



Pounds. 



1887 500, 819, 587 



1888 408, 562, 775 



1889 561, 132, 100 



1890 490, 181, 755 



The per capita consumption is approximately 7.8 pounds. 



In addition to the consumption of pure coffee, there is a very large 

 quantity of so-called substitutes, chicory, etc., sold and consumed as 

 coffee. It is impossible to obtain statistics in regard to these substitutes 

 and adulterants. The high prices of coffee prevailing the past year or 

 more have induced certain unscrupulous dealers to impose spurious 

 coffee beans upon the public and to adulterate ground and other coffees 

 to such an extent that often samples may be purchased having little in 

 common with the genuine. 



The fluctuations in the prices of coffees are shown in the accompany- 

 ing table. The values of the coffees are those which they bore in the 

 markets of the countries from which imported. This does not include 

 the cost of transportation, etc. 



1 Commerce and Navigation of the United States. 



899 

 20393 No. 13 3 



