Three Major Coffee Bean Processing Methods: Natural Processing as the Most Traditional and Simplest Approach

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FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Coffee Processing Methods

Natural Processing Method

The natural processing method is the simplest and most inexpensive traditional method for coffee bean processing. During processing, harvested fruits are spread on cement floors, brick floors, or mats and dried under the sun. They are frequently raked to ensure even drying and prevent fermentation. If it rains or the temperature drops, the fruits must be covered to prevent damage.

After processing, the moisture content of each fruit will drop to approximately 12%. At this stage, the fruits are dry. In Brazil, coffee beans at this stage are called "coco." The skin becomes dark brown and brittle, and you can hear the coffee beans rattling inside their shells.

This process actually requires considerable skill. If coffee beans are over-dried, they can be easily damaged during hulling. Conversely, insufficiently dried coffee beans are also prone to damage.

This method is commonly used in Ethiopia and Brazil, and most Arabica coffee beans are processed using this method.

Honey Process

The honey processing method involves floating and sorting coffee beans to remove unripe beans and other defective beans and leaves, followed by red, yellow, or black processing depending on the region.

Typically, yellow honey has the most pulp removed - about 40% of the pulp is removed. Red honey removes 25% of the pulp, while black honey only removes the skin. Then fermentation occurs. After reaching a certain degree of fermentation, the beans are dried using drying machines or direct sunlight.

Washed Process

The washed processing method requires greater capital investment and more effort, but this method helps ensure coffee bean quality and reduce damage.

The main difference between dry and wet methods is that in the wet processing method, the pulp is immediately separated from the coffee beans, unlike the drying method where it's left to dry.

Wet processing is used for freshly picked coffee beans. The coffee pulp is immediately removed - the shorter the interval, the better. The coffee beans are then soaked in water for 12-36 hours. This process softens their skin so it can be easily washed away. The coffee beans are then sorted and selected, and dried in the sunlight.

Knowledge Point: The honey processing method is divided into three types: yellow honey, red honey, and black honey.

In Summary

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