Types of Honey Processing for Coffee Beans: Understanding the Sweetness Beyond Washed Processing

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FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Honey Processing Grades

Around 2000, the semi-dry processing method was introduced to Costa Rica, where some modifications were made based on the Brazilian approach. Due to its location in Central America with high humidity, coffee cherries that have their pulp removed would easily become moist and spoil if they were dried in the sun with sticky mucilage for just 1 hour as in Brazil. Therefore, the soaking and fermentation step was eliminated, and instead, after removing the pulp and part of the mucilage layer, the sticky coffee beans in parchment are sun-dried. Since the beans processed this way carry excellent sweetness, as if honey had been added, they earned the name "honey process."

However, even with today's rapid industrial development, many steps in coffee bean processing still cannot be replaced by machines. Therefore, during the sun-drying process, a lot of manual labor is required to turn the beans to prevent mold growth and ensure even sun exposure. Due to the labor-intensive production process, it is mostly handled by small estates or specialized processing facilities, making mass production difficult. After 2006, Costa Rican honey-processed coffees frequently won in cupping competitions, attracting widespread attention for their unique palate-pleasing qualities. Today, the "honey process" has become essentially the preferred method in Costa Rica's growing regions and is also widely popular throughout Central America.

Since honey-processed coffee beans on the market now also indicate processing grades, many people ask: What is black honey? What does red honey mean? After researching relevant materials and books, I offer the following explanations, which have also helped me gain knowledge (my previous understanding of honey process color grading was not very clear).

Honey Process Color Grading

Some Costa Rican growers grade honey-processed green coffee beans based on the different colors resulting from varying sun-drying periods. According to color, they can be classified into three grades: yellow, red, and black. The sun intensity decreases while drying time increases. The flavor difference among the three lies in the expression of sweetness. The darkest color has the most pronounced sweetness.

Yellow Honey

Longest sun exposure time with extremely high heat, drying can be completed within basically a week.

Red Honey

Drying time is 2-3 weeks, with shade structures built to reduce the sun exposure area.

Black Honey

Drying time is about a month. Since manual labor is needed to place the coffee beans in shaded areas for drying, the process is complex, resulting in high costs and the most expensive price.

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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