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In a groundbreaking trial aimed at reducing the workload in the traditional coffee roasting industry, the Helsinki-based Kaffa Roastery has unveiled its latest coffee blend, developed with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI).
Finland Leads the Way in Coffee Consumption
This pioneering blend should make its debut in Finland. The Nordic nation is known for having the highest global coffee consumption per capita—12 kilograms annually per person, as the International Coffee Organization reported. This makes Finland the perfect backdrop for such a technological innovation in the coffee industry.
The Making of "AI-conic"
According to the Taipei Times, the "AI-conic" blend results from a collaboration between Kaffa Roastery, Finland's third-largest coffee roaster, and the local AI consultancy Elev.
By employing models similar to ChatGPT and Copilot's models, the AI was instructed to craft a blend that would resonate with coffee enthusiasts, experimenting beyond traditional flavor profiles. The result was a unique combination led by the velvety Fazenda Pinhal from Brazil and beans from Colombia, Ethiopia, and Guatemala.
The AI didn't stop at selecting the beans; it also designed the coffee package label and penned a detailed description, highlighting the blend's balanced sweetness and ripe fruit notes.
Surprising Results and Perfect Blends
Svante Hampf, Kaffa Roastery's managing director and founder, expressed his surprise at the AI's unconventional choice of a four-bean combination, diverging from the typical two or three varieties that allow for more apparent taste distinctions.
Nonetheless, after a series of blind tests, Kaffa's experts conceded that the AI's blend required no human adjustments—it was already perfect.
Future Possibilities and Professional Perspectives
The Manila Times noted that this trial demonstrates how AI can bring innovative perspectives to seasoned professionals and opens a dialogue among coffee experts about future technological advancements in Finland's rich coffee culture.
Antti Merilehto, a spokesperson for Elev, highlighted "AI-conic" as a tangible instance of AI's potential to offer fresh experiences to coffee lovers. Hampf is optimistic about the fusion of artisanal craftsmanship and AI, foreseeing a future where AI's contributions to the coffee industry continue to evolve and impress.
Kaffa Roastery's initiative sets the stage for further exploration of AI's role in culinary arts, promising exciting developments for professionals and aficionados in the coffee community.
Photo: Helena Lopes/Unsplash
