Coffee Bean Processing Methods Honey Processing Coffee Bean Processing Process

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FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Honey Processing Steps

Collection & Selection

After harvesting, coffee cherries are hand-sorted to remove inferior quality and defective coffee cherries.

Depulping

Similar to other processing methods, harvested coffee cherries need to be processed as quickly as possible. Within 8 to 12 hours, they are sent to a depulping machine to remove the fruit skin and pulp.

Drying

Unlike washed processing, honey processing retains the mucilage layer for drying. This step reduces the moisture content of the coffee beans to around 11%, with drying time taking approximately 18 to 25 days. This duration depends on weather conditions, the amount of mucilage retained, and the processor's experience.

Storage

After drying is complete, the coffee beans undergo another round of sorting. The sorted beans are bagged and sent to the warehouse for storage. The parchment layer is not removed until just before export for shipping.

Types of Honey Processing

Honey processing is generally classified into the following categories based on the amount of mucilage retained:

• Yellow Honey: Retains 60% of the mucilage layer
• Red Honey: Retains 75% of the mucilage layer
• Black Honey: Retains 80% of the mucilage layer

Flavor Characteristics of Honey Processing

The flavor profile of honey processing falls between washed and natural processing. The acidity is not as high as washed processing, while the fermentation notes and sweetness are not as pronounced as natural processing. However, honey-processed coffee is still worth trying. This processing method highlights the coffee's body and brings out fruity notes, creating a more balanced cup. Black honey processing, which retains more mucilage, can evoke natural processing flavors but with lighter fermentation notes.

In addition to producing such excellent quality coffee, honey processing significantly accelerates the natural drying time, reducing the risk of mold and other defects.

In Brief

FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research establishment that enjoys sharing coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation simply to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Every month, we hold three coffee promotion events with significant discounts. This is because FrontStreet Coffee wants to offer the best coffee at the lowest possible prices to more friends, which has been our mission for the past 6 years!

Important Notice :

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