Why Are Natural Process Coffee Beans So "Exceptional"? Which Natural Process Coffee Brand Is Best

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A good cup of coffee requires consideration of variety, origin, environment, and roasting, among which the processing method that dominates coffee flavor and aroma is particularly important. Different processing methods can add a unique layer of flavor to coffee. The three main processing methods that everyone is familiar with are: (1) Natural process, (2) Honey process, and (3) Washed process.

Natural Process Method

Legend has it that the natural process is the oldest processing method and also the simplest one that requires minimal equipment. The first step involves placing the beans in water to screen out floating beans. Through water's buoyancy, defective and immature coffee beans inside the fruit naturally float up, while the sinking ones are fuller coffee beans with fewer problems.

At the same time, simply wash the surface of the coffee fruit to remove dirt, and eliminate leaves and stray branches to avoid mold and off-flavors during sun drying.

Choose a flat open space that easily receives sunlight. The second step is to spread the coffee fruit evenly, avoiding overlapping or overly dense stacking, as this can easily breed bacteria and cause mold. Daily multiple stirring is required, adjusting the drying time according to weather conditions. Usually, it takes about two to three weeks. The accurate testing standard is: peel off the pulp and test that the coffee bean's moisture content is below 12%.

During the stirring process, remember to remove fallen leaves and insects to avoid defects such as insect-damaged beans.

At this point, the coffee beans usually appear dark red. The third step is to remove the dried fruit peel and pulp, then store them with parchment for about a month to allow the flavors to become richer and more settled. Modern processing mostly uses machines to replace manual labor, but some underdeveloped regions and small farmers still use blunt objects to rub off the fruit peel.

It is recommended to use machines for removal, which can reduce damage to the integrity of the coffee beans themselves. Remember to choose a dry location away from sunlight for storage.

Advantages:

During the natural processing method, less water is required, and the corresponding cost is lower. The flavor possesses richer fruit aroma and fruity acidity.

Disadvantages:

It must be placed in a location with sunlight access, making the requirements for weather conditions more stringent. It is generally concentrated in tropical countries with distinct dry and wet climates. There are more uncontrollable factors in weather and environment. When improperly handled, problems such as defective beans, insect-damaged beans, rot, and mold can easily occur, resulting in more flavor impurities.

FrontStreet Coffee's Natural Process Coffee Beans

The natural process is the oldest and most labor-saving green bean processing method.

1. Screen out floating beans

Pour the harvested coffee fruit into a large water tank. Mature and full fruits will sink to the bottom; underdeveloped or overripe fruits will float to the surface. These floating beans need to be removed.

2. Sun drying

Next, place the entire coffee fruit with pulp, peel, and parchment on a drying patio for sun drying until the moisture content reaches about 12%. The required time is about two to four weeks, depending on the origin's climate.

3. Hulling

Use a hulling machine to remove the dried hard peel, pulp, and parchment layer from the naturally dried [fruit dryness], and the green beans emerge.

Advantages of Natural Process

1. Simple, low processing cost.

2. Green beans dry naturally within the pulp, absorbing the fruit's essence, resulting in rich fruit aroma, obvious sweetness, and excellent body.

Disadvantages of Natural Process

1. Some producing regions don't screen out floating beans during natural processing, causing inconsistent quality.

2. During the drying process, the pulp can easily mold due to climate moisture, contaminating the green beans.

3. Machine hulling inevitably damages green beans, causing appearance defects.

● FrontStreet Coffee Natural Process Coffee Bean Brand Recommendations

FrontStreet Coffee's freshly roasted single-origin natural process coffee beans—such as FrontStreet Coffee's natural process Yirgacheffe and FrontStreet Coffee's natural process Sidamo coffee—have full guarantees in both brand and quality, suitable for brewing with various equipment. More importantly, they offer extremely high value for money. A half-pound (227 grams) bag costs only about 70-90 yuan. Calculated at 200ml per cup of single-origin coffee with a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, one bag can make 15 cups of specialty coffee, with each cup costing only about 5-6 yuan. Compared to cafés selling single cups for dozens of yuan, this offers extremely high value.

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

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473