Electrical current might be the key to a better cup of coffee
University of Oregon chemist Christopher Hendon and his team developed a new method to measure coffee's flavor profile by using an electrical current and a repurposed potentiostat, a tool typically used in battery testing. The technique allows for more precise separation of variables like roast color and brew strength, helping baristas consistently reproduce desired flavors. While taste remains subjective, the method offers an objective way to analyze what makes a cup of coffee enjoyable. The findings were published in Nature Communications.
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good to the last drop Electrical current might be the key to a better cup of coffee University of Oregon scientists repurposed battery-testing tool to better measure coffee’s flavor profile Jennifer Ouellette – Apr 28, 2026 11:00 am | 3 Credit: Getty Images Credit: Getty Images Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav University of Oregon chemist Christopher Hendon loves his coffee—so much so that studying all the factors that go into creating the perfect cuppa constitutes a significant area of research for him. His latest project: discovering a novel means of measuring the flavor profile of coffee simply by sending an electrical current through a sample beverage.
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