<p>A cup of coffee is definitely a solution, in the sense that it is composed of dissolved solutes. The solvation occurs once water is introduced. While, there is always a limit to how much of a substance can be solvated in a given amount of solvent, with coffee you're likely to not reach the point of creating a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supersaturation" rel="nofollow noreferrer">super-saturated solution</a> in normal conditions. If you were to take a pot of brewed coffee, and boil it, removing the solvent (water) you will likely reach a point as to where the solution is supersaturated, followed by precipitation of a crude extract.</p>

<p>Now is coffee an emulsion? I have heard that typical brewed coffee contains oils from the bean (likely oils that can be seen on darker roasts). If this is the case, then we could say that coffee is both a solution <em>and</em> an emulsion!</p>

<p><strong>EDIT:</strong> I know this is an older question but I want to clarify some definitions:
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emulsion" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Under IUPAC definition of an emulsion</a>: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Note 4: An emulsion is termed an oil/water (o/w) emulsion if the
  dispersed phase is an <strong>organic material</strong> and the continuous phase is
  water or an <strong>aqueous solution</strong> and is termed water/oil (w/o) if the dispersed
  phase is water or an aqueous solution and the continuous phase is an
  organic liquid (an "oil").</p>
</blockquote>

<p>So, when I say coffee is a solution, I'm referring to dissolved solids in the aqueous phase (an aqueous solution). When I say it's an emulsion, I'm referring to the "oils" of the coffee dispersed in the aqueous solution. By the above definition, <strong>coffee would qualify as an o/w emulsion composed with an aqueous solution.</strong></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-09T13:54:18.623Z
After this question reappeared yesterday, I've checked the definitions again. I was about the add the last sentence as a comment. But, it's already there. Another note, just to complete the already complex situation, in case of Turkish coffee: it is a suspension of grounds with oil/water emulsion composed with aqueous solution.
MTSan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-01-29T22:25:17.930Z
But "you know nothing, Jon Snow"...
Möoz
CC BY-SA 4.0
2015-01-29T08:05:35.303Z
2018-07-08T02:22:30.483Z
2018-07-08T02:22:30.483Z
John Snow
<p>According this <a href="http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/Issues/2011/May/ChemistryInEveryCup.asp">article</a> about the chemical composition of coffee, 12% of the dry weight of green unroasted coffee beens are chlorogenic acids. It does not mention if these acids fully dissolve in water when brewing coffee.</p>

<p>Furthermore they are mentioning <em>"over 1000 aroma compounds"</em>. Do they dissolve?</p>

<p>All together, is a cup of coffee a solution or an emulsion? If it is a solution, is there such thing as a maximum saturation level for a cup of coffee?</p>

<chemistry><acid>
Is coffee a solution or an emulsion?
Tim
# Is coffee a solution or an emulsion?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-01-29)

According this [article](http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/Issues/2011/May/ChemistryInEveryCup.asp) about the chemical composition of coffee, 12% of the dry weight of green unroasted coffee beens are chlorogenic acids. It does not mention if these acids fully dissolve in water when brewing coffee.

Furthermore they are mentioning *"over 1000 aroma compounds"*. Do they dissolve?

All together, is a cup of coffee a solution or an emulsion? If it is a solution, is there such thing as a maximum saturation level for a cup of coffee?

**Tags:** chemistry, acid


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-01-29. Score: 10 | Accepted answer

A cup of coffee is definitely a solution, in the sense that it is composed of dissolved solutes. The solvation occurs once water is introduced. While, there is always a limit to how much of a substance can be solvated in a given amount of solvent, with coffee you're likely to not reach the point of creating a [super-saturated solution](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supersaturation) in normal conditions. If you were to take a pot of brewed coffee, and boil it, removing the solvent (water) you will likely reach a point as to where the solution is supersaturated, followed by precipitation of a crude extract.

Now is coffee an emulsion? I have heard that typical brewed coffee contains oils from the bean (likely oils that can be seen on darker roasts). If this is the case, then we could say that coffee is both a solution *and* an emulsion!

**EDIT:** I know this is an older question but I want to clarify some definitions:
[Under IUPAC definition of an emulsion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emulsion):

> Note 4: An emulsion is termed an oil/water (o/w) emulsion if the
> dispersed phase is an **organic material** and the continuous phase is
> water or an **aqueous solution** and is termed water/oil (w/o) if the dispersed
> phase is water or an aqueous solution and the continuous phase is an
> organic liquid (an "oil").

So, when I say coffee is a solution, I'm referring to dissolved solids in the aqueous phase (an aqueous solution). When I say it's an emulsion, I'm referring to the "oils" of the coffee dispersed in the aqueous solution. By the above definition, **coffee would qualify as an o/w emulsion composed with an aqueous solution.**

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: But "you know nothing, Jon Snow"...  
> **username_2**: After this question reappeared yesterday, I've checked the definitions again. I was about the add the last sentence as a comment. But, it's already there. Another note, just to complete the already complex situation, in case of Turkish coffee: it is a suspension of grounds with oil/water emulsion composed with aqueous solution.  

---

