TDS (Total Dissolved Solids - Coffee)

Category: science

A measurement indicating the percentage of soluble coffee solids extracted into the liquid water brew.

Measured using a digital brix refractometer that reads light refraction through a liquid sample ($TDS \% = Soluble\ Solids / Brew\ Weight$). For commercial espresso and filter operations, balancing TDS between 1.15% and 1.45% is vital. Combined with the Extraction Yield formula, TDS allows multi-unit café operators to programmatically audit consistency and verify that staff are neither under-extracting nor wasting dry bean inventory.

Common Examples

• The regional manager used a digital refractometer to verify that the new espresso recipe hit a perfect one-point-three-five percent TDS value.
• Fluctuations in beverage TDS signatures usually point to localized water filtration degradation or uneven burr wear inside the commercial grinder.