Coffee Bean Washed Processing Method - Washed Processing for Clean, Clear, and Charming Fruity Aromas

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FrontStreet Coffee - An Introduction to the Washed Processing Method

Washed processing requires specialized machinery and plenty of water. Done well, it brings out the inherent character of the beans. It also removes most defective beans during washing, lifting overall quality. The washed method is widely used across Central and South America.

1. Pulp Removal

Specialized equipment removes the skin and part of the pulp. After this step, some pulp and mucilage still cling to the parchment.

2. Fermentation

The parchment coffee, with pulp and mucilage attached, is soaked in water so the remaining material ferments. Once fermented, the pulp and mucilage come off easily. Fermentation takes about 24 hours.

3. Washing

The fermented parchment coffee is washed in flowing water channels to strip away the pulp and mucilage still attached to the parchment. In practice, some producers soak the washed parchment again in clean water pools for 3-6 hours to create new flavors.

4. Drying

The parchment-covered beans are spread on drying patios, sometimes with mechanical dryers assisting. When moisture content reaches 12%, the parchment coffee can be stored in warehouses. Parchment-covered beans keep far longer than beans with the parchment already removed.

Once moisture content is effectively reduced to 12.5%, the beans are stored for export. Finally, before export, machinery removes the dry parchment and the last layer of silver skin, and the beans go through cleaning, sorting, classification, grading and packaging.

Washed beans give a cleaner taste without impurities and a pleasing fruit aroma. They tend toward a bluish-green or grayish-green color. The washed process yields a clear, bright cup free of off-notes.

Naturally processed beans are rich and full, with very distinct, diverse layers, while washed beans are very clean and refreshing with noticeable fruit acidity. Different processing methods give beans their own distinctive aromas.

Good to Know: Depending on how much mucilage is retained, honey processing is further divided into yellow honey, black honey and so on.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Washed processing is the clearest showcase of a bean's own character, and the FrontStreet Kenya Small Tomato is one of its most recognizable representatives - Kenya is especially skilled at double washed processing. The beans undergo an extra wash: flotation and soaking, washing off residual mucilage, soaking again, then drying, hulling and storage. The repeated rinsing and soaking push the juice-like quality to the limit. In the cup you get cherry tomato, smoked plum, pear, black plum and yellow sugar; the texture is sweet-sour and juicy, which is why so many coffee enthusiasts favor it.

For a more floral expression of the same clean style, the FrontStreet Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Gedeb Cooperative is a superb pick. Washed processing brings out jasmine florals and bright citrus acidity, and a light-to-medium roast layers in green tea and honey. It shines as pour-over, cold brew and espresso alike.