What is the Black Honey Grade in Costa Rica? Introduction to Costa Rican Black Honey Coffee Flavor

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FrontStreet Coffee Introduction: Honey Processing Grades

Honey processing is a method of producing green beans by sun-drying them with the mucilage intact. After removing the outer pulp from coffee cherries, there remains a layer of sticky gelatinous substance. In traditional washed processing, this would be rinsed away with water, but due to water resource limitations in some high-altitude growing regions, this method of drying directly with the pulp was developed.

Based on the thickness of removed pectin, duration of sun-drying (or thickness of drying layers), and frequency of turning during drying, honey processing is further divided into black honey, red honey, orange honey, yellow honey, and white honey.

Based on the Thickness of Removed Pectin:

Black Honey: Almost no pectin is removed, making it the longest drying process, requiring more than 14 days. During the process, to avoid drying too quickly, coverings are used to block excessive sunlight, allowing for more thorough sugar conversion.

Red Honey: 25% of pectin is removed (specific practices vary among estates), with sun-drying lasting about 12 days. Shade structures may also be used during the process.

Yellow Honey: 40% of pectin is removed, dried with maximum sun exposure, lasting about 8 days.

Some growing regions and estates distinguish based on the thickness of coffee bean drying layers and the number of turnings. For example, both yellow honey and white honey retain 20-30% of pectin:

Yellow Honey: Thick layer drying, fewer turnings, longer drying time.

White Honey: Thin layer drying, more turnings, shorter drying time.

FrontStreet Coffee Introduction: Honey Processed Coffee Flavor Profile

For cupping 8 hours after roasting, weigh 11.3 grams of coffee, grind to BG 5B (Chinese standard: 75% pass-through rate on #20 sieve), water temperature is 94°C, pour in 200ml of water, break the crust and remove grounds after four minutes, and you're ready to cup~

[Yellow Honey]: Smells of light fermented fruit aroma, with flavors of citrus, cocoa, nuts, honey, and caramel when sipped. The overall flavor profile is relatively light.

[Red Honey]: Has a rich fermented red wine aroma, with flavors of pineapple, sweet orange, nectarine, grapes, cream, raisins, and maple when sipped.

[Black Honey]: Smells of rich jackfruit, raisins, and fermented wine aroma, with flavors of plum, citrus, raisins, caramel, and spices when sipped.

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