Steps for Making Sun-Dried Coffee Beans: A Clear vs. Full Flavor Comparison of Washed and Sun-Dried Beans

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FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Sun-Dried and Washed Coffee Processing

Washed Method

The washed method, a technique invented by the Dutch in the 18th century, is the most common processing method. Washed beans currently account for about 50% of all coffee production and are suitable for rainy regions.

Specific Processing Steps

Like the first step of the sun-dried method, first remove the inferior beans.

Then use a pulping machine to remove the pulp and flesh from the coffee fruit.

Place them in a water tank for fermentation for 16-36 hours, allowing fermentation bacteria to dissolve the pectin.

To remove residual fermentation bacteria and impurities, wash the coffee beans again at this point.

Then use a machine to dry the coffee fruit until the moisture content drops to 10%-14%. Finally, use a huller to remove the silver skin wrapped around the coffee beans to complete the process.

Flavor

Coffee processed by the washed method develops acidic substances during fermentation in the fermentation tank, resulting in bright flavor, stronger acidity, and fewer impurities.

Sun-Dried Method

The sun-dried method is one of the most "simple and crude" processing methods in coffee processing. The entire process reduces to three key steps: "harvesting, sun-drying, hulling." Sun-dried processed coffee is one of the most primitive coffee processing methods, passed down since commercial coffee cultivation began. However, what appears to be a simple sun-dried processing method actually involves many influencing factors.

In principle, the sun-dried method can be performed as long as there is stable direct sunlight, but many coffee-producing countries have poor production conditions. Many farmers can only place coffee on the ground for sun-drying, which causes the sun-dried coffee to pick up more earthy and onion flavors. For this reason, sun-dried beans have historically had a poor reputation.

Regarding the advantages of sun-dried processed coffee, the most obvious is the coffee's own charming flavor. The sun-dried method retains the coffee pulp and coffee skin during the fermentation process, which brings charming wine aromas and fruit flavors to the coffee, along with excellent sweetness and complex aromas.

For many coffee enthusiasts, nothing is more appealing than the charming aroma, and sun-dried coffee captures consumers' attention right from the aroma. Although delicious sun-dried coffee has charming flavors, explosive aromas, and high sweetness, the sun-dried processing method also presents significant challenges.

Knowledge Point

According to the degree of pectin retention, honey processing is further divided into yellow honey, black honey, etc.

In Brief

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