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What's the Difference Between Washed and Natural Coffee Beans: An Introduction to Flavor Differences

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style). FrontStreet Coffee's Yirgacheffe washed and natural coffee difference introduction. Yirgacheffe washed processing method: Using washing and fermentation methods to remove pulp, mucilage, and skin, washing the coffee beans until smooth and clean. After washing, the coffee beans are still enclosed in parchment, with a moisture content of 50%

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For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style)

Introduction to FrontStreet Coffee's Yirgacheffe Washed and Natural Coffee Differences

Yirgacheffe Washed Processing Method

The washed processing method uses water and fermentation to remove the fruit pulp and mucilage, washing the coffee beans until they are smooth and clean. After washing, the coffee beans are still encased in their parchment layer with a moisture content of 50%. They must be dried to reduce the moisture content to 12%, otherwise they will continue to ferment and become moldy and spoiled. The best processing method is sun drying, which takes 1-3 weeks, but produces exceptionally flavorful coffee that is highly appreciated.

The washed method offers good body, high aroma, and lively acidity. Washed Yirgacheffe coffee beans are graded as Gr-1 and Gr-2, with smaller Arabic numbers indicating higher grades. G1 Yirgacheffe has a distinctive style, and the fusion of citrus and floral notes in the coffee liquid is an irresistible flavor for everyone.

Yirgacheffe Natural Processing Method

In the natural processing method, the fruits begin the sun drying process immediately after harvesting without any treatment. This is the oldest existing processing method. The drying process typically lasts about 4 weeks, and the processing method must be extremely rigorous to ensure the coffee doesn't lose any flavor. Natural processed beans have complete natural body, gentle aroma, and more mucilage.

Natural grades are divided into Gr-1, Gr-3, Gr-4, and Gr-5. Similarly, the highest grade G1 natural Yirgacheffe has rich fruit aroma. Opening a bag of freshly roasted G1 natural Yirgacheffe coffee can subvert everyone's original understanding of coffee. Only those who have tasted the highest grade natural Yirgacheffe will believe that coffee is a fruit.

Differences in Coffee Bean Appearance

Generally, washed green beans are bluish-green. After roasting, washed Yirgacheffe has more silver skin and a water-soaked wrinkled appearance. Natural processed green beans are yellowish-green, and natural Yirgacheffe has less silver skin with a smooth appearance.

Differences in Coffee Bean Taste

Natural Yirgacheffe has a slight fermented wine aroma, with heavier bitterness and a much richer mouthfeel. Honey sweetness, cocoa notes with hints of spice, full body with persistent aftertaste, and rich texture with unique soft floral notes brush across your taste buds, leaving endless回味. Washed Yirgacheffe has brighter acidity, like lemon acid, with a fresher taste and more prominent citrus aroma, followed by some black tea sensation in the finish. Both have fruit acidity similar to lemon and citrus fruits.