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Semi-Washed Coffee Bean Processing: Steps and Characteristics Explained

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 (Official WeChat Account: cafe_style). FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to the Semi-Washed Processing Method. Semi-washed processing can be described as a combination of natural and washed methods. The concept is to use less water than the washed method to produce coffee with cleaner flavors than natural processing and fuller body than washed processing.

FrontStreet Coffee - Semi-Washed Processing Method Introduction

Semi-washed processing can be described as a combination of the natural and washed processing methods. The concept is to produce coffee with cleaner flavor than natural processing and fuller body than washed processing, while using less water than the washed method. This processing method is popular in Indonesia, regions like Mandheling, and Brazil has also begun using semi-washed processing in recent years.

Step 1: Screening

Like other processing methods, screening is required first. The harvested coffee cherries are placed in a water tank, where mature fruits sink to the bottom while unripe fruits float on the surface. Coffee farmers need to first screen out the unripe fruits.

Step 2: Removing Skin and Pulp

The same steps as the washed method are followed, using specialized machines to remove the skin and pulp, leaving only coffee beans wrapped in parchment. However, a small layer of mucilage remains on them at this point.

Step 3: Removing Mucilage

A demucilager machine is used to remove the attached mucilage, which uses only a small amount of water compared to the washed method.

Step 4: Drying

The smooth-surfaced coffee beans are taken outdoors to dry until the moisture content drops to 12%, at which point they can be stored.

Flavor Characteristics

Semi-washed coffee combines the rich flavor and sweetness of natural processed beans with the cleanliness of washed processed beans, resulting in a smooth but not flat taste.

Knowledge point: Although coffee beans are called beans, they are actually the seeds of the fruit of the Rubiaceae plant (coffee tree).

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