Identifying Natural Coffee Beans from Images How to Distinguish Natural vs Washed Coffee Beans by Appearance?

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1. Natural Process

Natural processing is the oldest method for processing green coffee beans. (Photo Credit: Caffè Maltesta)

This is the oldest existing method for processing green coffee beans. During the manual harvesting stage, coffee cherries with relatively consistent ripeness are selected, then the surface of the coffee cherries is rinsed with clean water, after which the sun-drying process begins. The drying process usually lasts for 4 weeks, with rigorous processing methods to ensure the coffee does not lose any flavor.

To use this method, the local climate must be extremely dry, as moisture can affect the flavor of the beans. In some regions, farmers use drying machines to assist in the drying process of the coffee cherries. Finally, the naturally dried fruit husks are removed from the beans using a hulling machine, revealing the green beans.

Flavor: Soft acidity, rich layers, relatively prominent sweetness, and high-quality natural process beans will have fruit flavors or wine-like aromas.

Advantages: Simple and low processing cost. The green beans dry naturally within the fruit pulp, absorbing the essence of the fruit, resulting in rich fruit aroma and noticeable sweetness.

Disadvantages: During the drying process, the fruit pulp may mold due to climate moisture回流, affecting the quality of the coffee beans; and machine hulling can easily damage the green beans, affecting their appearance.

2. Washed Process

Washed processed coffee beans have complete appearance and the most consistent quality.

The washed process is currently the more common green bean processing method, suitable for rainy areas. First, the harvested fruits are placed in a water tank and soaked for about 24 hours. At this time, mature fruits will sink, while unripe and overripe fruits will float and can be removed. Then a machine is used to remove the fruit skin and pulp, leaving only coffee beans wrapped in parchment.

The seeds after pulp removal are transferred to fermentation tanks, where they undergo natural fermentation for about 16 to 36 hours to dissolve surface pectin, then are washed and continue to sun-dry for 1 to 3 weeks until the moisture content drops to 12%, after which the outer shell is removed by a hulling machine.

Flavor: Relatively strong acidity, with a cleaner, crisper, and brighter mouthfeel.

Advantages: Complete appearance and the most consistent quality.

Disadvantages: To obtain 200g of green beans, 1kg of fruit needs to be washed, while consuming about 2 to 10 kg of clean water, making it costly.

How to Distinguish Natural Process and Washed Coffee Beans from Appearance?

Harvested coffee beans must immediately enter processing procedures, otherwise they will start to ferment and produce off-flavors. There are two processing methods: "natural process" and "washed process," which result in different aromas and appearance characteristics.

Aroma:

Natural process beans have complete natural mellow flavors, gentle aromas, and more body; washed process has good mellow flavors, high aromatics, and lively acidity.

[Natural Process Green Beans]: The beans are green with yellow tinges, particle size uniformity is generally poor, and more silver skin is retained on the surface.

[Washed Process Green Beans]: The green coffee beans are green with slight gray tinges, particle size uniformity is relatively even, and less or even no silver skin is retained on the surface.

Natural Process Coffee Beans VS Washed Process Coffee Beans

[Natural Process Roasted Beans]: Roast color uniformity is poor, with mottled colors, and no silver skin on the center line.

[Washed Process Roasted Beans]: Roast color uniformity is good, with uniform colors, and silver skin remnants on the center line.

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, where you can find various famous and lesser-known beans, while also providing online store services. https://shop104210103.taobao.com

Important Notice :

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