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    365nm UV Black Light Torch for Coffee Analysis – Rechargeable & Portable

    Reveal hidden defects, quakers and cleanliness issues in seconds

    £18.95
    £18.95

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    Key Details:

    Description

    Bring lab-level insight to your cupping table. This 365 nm UV torch turns a two-minute scan into clearer buying and roasting decisions – all for less than the cost of a single sample roast gone wrong.

    What you’ll spot

    Glowing “full fluorescents” – often lower-density, lower-moisture beans that fade and stale faster. Feran’s data shows they’re about 10 % less dense and lose cup quality sooner, so roasting them first (or removing them) keeps flavour on point. 

    Speckled or partial fluorescents – hints of poor drying or hot fermentation.

    Surface residue on roasted coffee, grinders and worktops – hygiene at a glance.

    This UV torch isn’t designed to tell you if a coffee is good or bad. Fluorescence under black light highlights physical traits – like density or drying inconsistencies – that may affect how quickly a coffee loses quality, not necessarily its immediate cup score. It’s a useful tool for identifying potential shelf-life concerns or early roasting priorities, but it should always be used alongside cupping, moisture analysis, and your usual quality control practices.

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    The Science Behind UV and Coffee Fluorescence

    Most coffee defects aren’t visible to the naked eye – but under the right UV light, differences in density, moisture, and composition become easier to spot.

    This torch emits UV-A light at 365 nm – a specific part of the spectrum that causes certain compounds in coffee (especially low-density or poorly dried beans) to fluoresce. These beans often appear bright white or speckled under the light.

    Why does that matter? Fluorescent beans tend to fade faster, show inconsistencies in drying, or reflect poor post-harvest processing. You’re not judging flavour directly – you’re identifying potential risk areas that might not hold up over time. That’s why professional QC labs often use UV as an early-stage sorting tool before cupping.

    Use this as a fast, non-destructive way to check:

    • Whether to prioritise a lot for roasting before fade sets in
    • If a drying process needs review or improvement
    • Whether physical grading missed some lower-quality outliers

    Built for Roastery Work – How This Torch is Manufactured

    We chose this specific model for a reason: it balances performance, durability, and affordability – without cutting corners where it matters.

    Key manufacturing details:

    • Industry-grade LED for precise wavelength output, not a repurposed generic light. The beam is tight, controlled, and doesn’t drown the surface in purple.
    • Lightweight but strong enough for daily use around a roastery, lab, or field station.
    • Splash-resistant and dustproof, so it handles busy workspaces with ease.
    • No need to deal with spare batteries. Charges fast and runs for up to 4 hours on a single charge.

    It’s the same torch we use in our own QC setups, and we’ve tested it across a wide range of green and roasted coffees. It’s tough enough to travel with and precise enough to trust when making buying or sorting decisions.

    What We’ve Seen in the Field

    UV black light isn’t new in coffee – but it’s underused outside of top-end labs. We’ve seen huge value when used for:

    • Early sorting of microlots (e.g. separating quakers before roasting)
    • Roast profile troubleshooting (spotting visual differences that align with flavour loss)
    • Cleanliness checks (especially on shared equipment like grinders or trays)
    • Green sample prep (flagging lots for closer cupping when things don’t look right under UV)

    Roasters tell us it adds a layer of confidence, especially when buying coffees from unfamiliar sources or comparing prep methods.

    Our Guarantees

    60-day money-back guarantee

    Not happy, just let us know and we'll arrange a collection and a full refund
    Minimum 12-month warranty

    Any issues with any equipment and we'll organise a repair or replacement
    Price match promise

    We guarantee the best price of we'll match your quote
    £18.95
    £18.95

    Rates and lender may change when you select finance option
    View full details

    0% Finance Available

    We offer a selection of finance options through our payment partners

    Pay in your preferred currency

    We support +30 currencies

    Buy now, pay later

    Relaxed payment terms to suit you

    Here’s what our
    customers are saying...

    • Google Info

      John Pilkington

      Great! These guys sell green beans in small enough quantities to be useful for the home roaster (me, my frying pan). Also I love their approach to the local grower communities. I like to keep my consumables supply chains as short as possible; with GCC I feel very close to the growers and local processors. Plus the coffee is fantastic!

    • Google Info

      Gustavo Marchesini

      I am a coffee roaster, I started looking for green coffee. The best option in price, shipping and variety of quality beans and it always supplies me on time all the time I have been working with Green Coffee Collective

    • Google Info

      David Dunlop

      I've just recently started buying from the Green Coffee Collective and I'm really impressed with the coffees I've tasted so far.

    Frequent Questions

    What does a 365 nm UV torch actually show me in coffee?

    It reveals physical differences that aren’t visible in normal light – like density variations, drying inconsistencies, insect damage, and residue. In green coffee, you'll often see certain beans fluoresce due to their structure or moisture level. In roasted coffee, it can highlight surface oil or cleaning issues on equipment.

    Does fluorescence mean the coffee is bad?

    Not at all. Fluorescent beans are often lower in density or have aged faster, but many still taste great. This torch helps you spot beans that might lose quality sooner, not judge cup quality on its own. Always combine it with cupping and other QC tools.

    Is 365 nm better than 395 nm UV lights I’ve seen online?

    Yes. 365 nm is the sweet spot for coffee analysis – it shows true fluorescence with minimal purple glow. 395 nm torches are cheaper but much less effective because they emit mostly visible violet light, not actual UV-A.

    Can I use this on roasted coffee too?

    Yes. While it’s most useful for inspecting green coffee, it also works well on roasted beans and surfaces – helping you detect oil buildup, residue, or cleaning lapses in grinders, machines and cupping tables.

    Do I need to be in total darkness?

    Dim lighting is best. You don’t need pitch black, but turning off bright overhead lights or using a dark tray will make the fluorescence more obvious.

    How do I clean and store the torch?

    Just wipe it with a dry cloth after use. Keep the lens clean for the clearest results. It’s splash-resistant (IP65) but not waterproof – don’t submerge it. Recharge with the included USB-C cable when needed.

    Is this a certified grading tool?

    No – this is a helpful supplementary tool. It’s not a replacement for cupping, moisture meters, or lab analysis, but it gives fast, low-cost insight into green quality and helps flag lots for closer inspection.