Abstract: A process for the condensation of a volatile-rich vapor stream produced by a stripping operation from a vegetable or fruit product or the extract thereof, which comprises the steps of:(i) condensing a major proportion of the water present in the vapor stream using a surface condenser with water as a coolant;(ii) subjecting the condensate of step (i) to further cooling in a heat-exchanger using water at a lower temperature than that of step (i) as the coolant; and(iii) contacting the cooled condensate from step (ii) with the vapor stream issuing from the condenser of step (i) in a countercurrent absorption column.The process is particularly applicable to the condensation of a volatile-rich water vapor stream containing coffee volatiles.