How Coffee Processing Methods Work: How Many Types of Coffee Bean Processing Methods Exist

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Coffee Processing Methods

Natural Process

The oldest way to process coffee, used by the Arabs over a thousand years ago. Natural process coffee offers a complete, naturally mellow flavor, soft acidity, and uniform bitterness. How it works: after harvesting, the cherries go straight onto drying patios for 3-4 weeks and are turned several times a day to ensure even heating. As they dry, the cherries loosen from the outer pericarp; once the moisture content reaches 9%, a hulling machine strips away the dried skin and silver skin.

Washed Process

A technique invented by the Dutch in the 18th century. Washed beans now make up about 70% of world coffee production, and the method suits rainy regions. Washed coffee shows bright flavors, stronger acidity, and far fewer impurities. How it works: the cherries are first flooded with water to wash away fruit debris and sort out defective beans. A depulper then removes the skin and pulp, after which the beans ferment for 18-36 hours so that fermentation bacteria dissolve the pectin - the part that will not dissolve in water on its own - before a thorough rinsing. Finally, the beans are sun-dried to 9% moisture content and hulled to remove the silver skin.

Miel Process

Also known as the honey process, this method removes the cherry's outer skin but keeps the sticky mucilage layer on the bean. Rather than fermenting the pulp away, the beans are dried with the layer still attached, and only afterwards are the dried mucilage and silver skin removed. Coffee processed this way keeps the cherry's original sweetness, typically showing delicate caramel and fruit aromas.

Knowledge Point: The best crops grow at higher altitudes, in fertile soil rich in phosphorus and nitrogen and potassium, under a moderate climate.

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research hall devoted to sharing coffee knowledge. We hold nothing back because we want more people to fall in love with coffee. Each month we run three coffee discount events, because FrontStreet Coffee believes everyone deserves the best coffee at the lowest price. That has been our mission for the past 6 years!

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Curious how processing shapes the cup? Compare washed and natural side by side with FrontStreet beans. FrontStreet's Yirgacheffe Guodingding shows the washed style at its cleanest - jasmine florals and bright citrus acidity with green tea and honey sweetness - while FrontStreet's Ethiopia Huakui, a traditional natural dried for 21 days on raised beds, delivers a thicker, more complex cup of fermented wine aroma, mango, citrus, and cocoa.