What Is Coffee Colombia Sfe?
Coffee Colombia Sfe is a liquid aroma ingredient created by DSM-Firmenich through supercritical CO2 extraction of roasted Colombian coffee beans. The process runs at relatively low temperature and high pressure, giving a clean extract that keeps the natural aroma profile intact.
While DSM-Firmenich popularised the material, other flavour and fragrance suppliers offer comparable coffee SFE extracts. All versions share the same goal: capture the full, authentic smell of freshly ground coffee in a form that is easy to work with in perfumery and product scenting.
At room temperature the ingredient pours like a lightweight oil with a deep brown tone that hints at its roasted origin. Formulators appreciate its stability, so it finds its way into everything from fine fragrances to candles, soaps, shampoos and household cleaners.
Used at low dose, it provides a strong gourmand signature, which makes it fairly common in modern compositions that aim for edible warmth. The extract keeps its quality for roughly two to three years when stored well, though many perfumers try to use it within eighteen months for the freshest effect.
In the spectrum of specialty naturals it sits in the mid-price bracket. It is not the cheapest coffee note available, yet it delivers a realism that often justifies the extra cost.
Coffee Colombia Sfe’s Scent Description
This ingredient belongs to the gourmand family, known for flavorsome notes that evoke edible treats. Off a blotter it greets the nose with the vivid impression of a just-opened bag of premium espresso grounds. Moments later a swirl of dark roast comes forward, tinged with faint smoke, brown sugar and a hint of clove-like spice.
Underneath the roasted shell a subtle fruity nuance peeks out, echoing the natural acidity of Colombian beans, while a soft woody accent rounds the edges. The aroma feels rich yet smooth, without the bitterness that often plagues lesser coffee accords.
In the traditional pyramid this material behaves as a heart-to-base note. It appears quickly but then stays anchored for hours, lending support long after brighter top notes have faded. Expect moderate projection; it does not shout across a room yet easily radiates within arm’s length.
On skin or fabric the main impression lingers four to six hours, with a gentle toasted sweetness persisting even longer in a well-constructed blend. Its stamina helps bridge transitions between fleeting fruity facets and the deeper amber or vanilla that often follow.
How & Where To Use Coffee Colombia Sfe
Perfumers treat Coffee Colombia Sfe as a character note rather than a background utility. It jumps in when the brief calls for a real roasted bean sensation that no synthetic “coffee” accord can fully copy. In gourmand creations it pairs naturally with vanilla, tonka or praline to build a café-dessert heart. In darker themes it knits well with tobacco, cacao or leather, pushing the mood toward an intimate lounge vibe. A small splash inside a fruity or boozy accord lifts berries, plum or rum, adding depth that keeps the sweetness from feeling juvenile.
Typical inclusion sits anywhere from a whisper at 0.05 % to a confident 3 %. Above 5 % the note can dominate, reading as burnt grounds and masking subtler ingredients. At trace levels the material behaves almost like a “brown filter,” giving warmth without being recognisable as coffee. Increase the dose and the smoky spice facet blooms, while very high levels reveal a slightly rubbery edge that most consumers read as off-putting.
The extract loves company. Ambery bases make it feel creamy and plush. Woods such as cedar or guaiac echo the toasted character and extend the drydown. Citrus tops can clash if the coffee volume is too high, but balanced well the contrast delivers a modern espresso tonic sparkle. Aqua, ozonic or sheer floral styles rarely benefit from the bean note and often feel muddy, so many perfumers leave it out of those families.
Over-use is the main risk. Too much coffee can flatten a composition, drag down lift and stick stubbornly in the blotter during evaluation. A second hazard is colour. Even at low dosage the material can tint alcohol solutions pale brown, which may not suit a crystal-clear bottle concept.
The ingredient arrives pourable yet thick. For easier weighing many studios pre-dilute it to 10 % in ethanol, triethyl citrate or dipropylene glycol. Gentle warming in a water bath (no more than 40 °C) melts any cold-weather viscosity and helps it blend. A quick pass through a paper filter removes occasional fines that settle during storage.
Safely Using Coffee Colombia Sfe
Dilution is key. Always thin the extract before smelling or formulating so that you are evaluating a safe working strength rather than full concentrate. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle since vapours at high potency can irritate the nasal passages. Work in a well-ventilated space to keep airborne levels low and put on gloves plus safety glasses to protect skin and eyes from accidental splashes.
Like many natural extracts this material contains multiple allergens. Some users may experience redness or itching after contact. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a healthcare professional before handling any aroma chemical. Short moments of exposure at workshop concentrations are unlikely to cause harm, yet repeated or prolonged contact with higher levels can sensitise skin or trigger headaches in sensitive individuals.
Keep bottles tightly closed, wipe threads after each use and label all dilutions clearly. Spills on benches clean up with ethanol followed by soapy water. Never pour left-over concentrate down the sink; collect it in a waste solvent container for proper disposal.
Always refer to the most recent safety data sheet supplied by your vendor, as composition and hazard classifications can change between lots. Check current IFRA guidelines for maximum allowed dosage in each product category and update formula limits whenever those standards revise.
How To Store & Dispose of Coffee Colombia Sfe
Store Coffee Colombia Sfe in a tightly closed glass bottle kept in a cool dark cupboard. A refrigerator set near 4 °C gives even better shelf life, though it is not essential if space is tight. Keep the bottle upright and away from direct sunlight heaters or other sources of heat that could speed up oxidation.
Use polycone caps for both the neat oil and any dilutions. Their soft liners create a stronger seal than simple screw tops and stop slow leaks that waste material and leave rings on shelves. Avoid dropper bottles because the built-in pipette rarely seals well and often drags air back into the liquid. Top up part-used bottles with inert gas or transfer the remainder to a smaller vial so the headspace stays minimal.
Label every container with the full name Coffee Colombia Sfe the CAS number 8001-67-0 date of opening and any hazard icons from the safety data sheet. Clear labels help you or anyone else in the studio grab the right material quickly and handle it with respect.
For disposal decant unwanted concentrate or flushes from pipettes into a sealed waste solvent can destined for chemical collection. Do not tip the raw extract or high-strength dilutions down the sink because natural oils can stress water-treatment plants and harm aquatic life before they finally break down. Small traces on blotters or gloves can go in ordinary trash once completely dry.
If a spill happens absorb it with paper towel or an inert pad then wipe the surface with ethanol followed by soapy water. Ventilate the room until the coffee smell fades. Local regulations differ so always follow regional guidelines for hazardous waste.
Summary
Coffee Colombia Sfe is a liquid extract of Colombian Arabica beans produced by CO2 technology that captures the true smell of freshly ground coffee. Its profile blends roasted bean richness with light smoke caramel and a touch of spice making it a star in gourmand ambery or woody perfumes.
Perfumers value the ingredient for its realism and its ability to anchor sweet accords yet it is niche enough to keep a formula distinctive. The extract is mid to high in cost reflects crop quality and the specialised processing and it carries a natural brown colour that can tint pale juices. Stability is good for two to three years when stored cool and airtight but oxidation dulls the aroma if the bottle is left half empty under warm lights.
Commercial fragrance houses can source Coffee Colombia Sfe directly from DSM-Firmenich or through distributors. Hobbyists and small brands will find repacked quantities at specialty aroma shops and online resellers often under the same CAS number or generic “CO2 coffee extract” labeling. Whether you buy a kilo drum or a 10 ml vial the same rules apply treat it with care dose it with restraint and enjoy the comforting café touch it lends to creative scent work.