Overview
ISO 15322:2005 (IDF 203:2005) specifies a standardized laboratory method - the coffee test - for assessing the behaviour of dried milk and dried milk products (instant or non‑instant) when reconstituted directly in hot coffee. The method quantifies sediment and flocculation that affect product functionality and consumer perception when milk powders are used as coffee whiteners.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Applies to dried milk and dried milk products used in hot coffee; routine control requires consistent coffee brand and conditions.
- Principle: A defined test portion is added to hot reconstituted coffee, mixed in a controlled way, allowed to stand, then centrifuged in two graduated tubes; sediment volume is measured and summed.
- Critical test parameters:
- Reconstituted coffee temperature: 80 °C ± 0.5 °C
- Weighed portions: ~0.80 g instant coffee powder (0.79–0.81 g) and ~1.20 g test sample (1.19–1.21 g)
- Stirring: manual with specified spatula motion (six clockwise + six counter‑clockwise strokes over 6 s)
- Standing time before centrifugation: 10 min (plus 5 min after transfer)
- Centrifugation: vertical swing‑out rotor producing 160 g at tube bottom for 5 min
- Result calculation: sediment volume V = V1 + V2 (sum of two tubes); express results to two decimal places if