A treat for philatelists – scented postage stamps

In Brazil, an idea to boost local coffee sales has been realized. Scented stamps promoting the Brazilian beverage have been produced. The stamps smell like real, freshly ground Brazilian coffee. National postal offices introduced the coffee stamps into international circulation just before the Christmas season. Special technology The stamps are printed by the national mint. A private company, in turn, produces coffee essence using special technology to ensure their long-lasting aroma. Ripe coffee beans are roasted, ground, and filtered under pressure. The filters through which the beans are passed absorb the aroma. They are then subjected to a centrifugal process at very high speeds, resembling the mechanism of a giant blender. Aromatic microcapsules The result of this process is microcapsules filled with a liquid infused with the aroma of coffee. The microcapsules are combined with a clear varnish and then transferred to the printing machine. Once the stamp is printed, it is coated with this clear varnish layer and the scented microcapsules, invisible to the naked eye. This gives it a coffee aroma. According to the stamp producers, the scent should last for 3 to 5 years. Whenever someone wants to experience the aroma of coffee, they should rub the image of the cup. The microcapsules will then release the fragrance. A stamp with the smell of burnt wood The same technology had previously been used to create stamps with the scent of burnt wood. This was a form of protest against deforestation in the Amazon. The idea proved successful and won international awards. The coffee stamp initiative was created to promote the Brazilian drink, which was losing out to coffee from Colombia, whose authorities invested large amounts of money in promoting this product.