# Trigonelline

/ˌtrɪɡəˈnɛliːn/ (US) · /ˌtrɪɡəˈnɛliːn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/trigonelline
Updated: 2026-09-20

## Definition

a natural substance found in coffee beans that helps create the drink's bitter flavor and aroma while also acting as a mild stimulant and diuretic

For teachers: a bitter pyridine alkaloid found in coffee beans that undergoes thermal degradation during roasting to produce nicotinic acid and various aromatic compounds.

## Examples

- The amount of trigonelline in the coffee can change its taste.
- During the roasting process, trigonelline breaks down into vitamin B3, which contributes to the coffee's unique smell.
- The degradation of trigonelline during the Maillard reaction is a critical factor in the development of the complex flavor profiles found in dark roasts.

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