What Are Fermented Coffee Beans? Why Ferment? What Fermentation Methods Exist? Honduras Lychee Orchid

Introduction to Coffee Fermentation

Fermentation refines the sweetness, body, and acidity of coffee. From bread to wine, fermentation is the latest buzzword in the food industry. Now it's making its way into the coffee world. Roasters around the globe are using fermentation techniques to unlock exotic flavors and notes in coffee.

What is Fermented Coffee?

Fermented coffee, also known as cultured coffee, refers to coffee that has undergone fermentation post-harvest while still in cherry form, but after pulping and hulling, before roasting (green coffee). This is a specially processed green coffee that, when roasted, ground, and brewed, produces aromas and flavors different from (and many would say better than) unfermented coffee.

"The fermentation process is not new to coffee. Most coffee produced worldwide has always been primarily fermented in plain water to allow enzymes to break down, creating sugars and providing a smooth mouthfeel. However, the coffee-loving community has now been experimenting with different yeast/bacterial strains and different mediums beyond water to soak coffee beans, helping them absorb different flavors and赋予更复杂的味道 to the same coffee variety grown for generations."

However, don't expect fermented coffee to contain probiotics (beneficial bacteria that aid the digestive system). The coffee fermentation process occurs before roasting the coffee beans, so any probiotics present after fermentation are eliminated during the roasting process. Nevertheless, fermentation enhances the sweetness, body, and acidity of coffee and even adds fruity notes to it.

Fermentation Methods Available Today

Barrel Fermentation

This method should already be quite familiar to many, as it was mentioned when introducing Sherry coffee previously. Barrel fermented coffee involves gently fermenting green coffee beans in barrels that were previously used for making alcoholic beverages and spirits such as wine, whiskey, rum, and bourbon. When green coffee is aged this way, it takes on many of the flavor characteristics and profiles of oak and spirits, creating unique and delicious coffee beans.

In addition to Sherry, FrontStreet Coffee also offers Lychee Lan from the Moca Manor in Honduras, which is fermented in brandy barrels. It has a brandy-like sensation upon entry, with a rich mouthfeel and strong honey sweetness.

Fruit Fermentation

The "Orange you Curious" blend introduced by Maverick & Farmer Coffee (founders of Flying Squirrel Coffee) uses a unique barrel fermentation process where fresh Arabica coffee beans are fermented with orange juice for 24 hours. Natural yeasts present on orange peels and coffee skins act on fructose, producing a truly unique blend that's incredibly refreshing. They also create milk and honey specialty coffee where beans are fermented with lactobacillus (from milk of cows from their own farm). The coffee is then further processed using the honey sun-drying method. Absolutely a double delight! This creates a wonderfully mellow coffee with notes of milk, toffee, and melon.

Raw Sugar Fermented Coffee

This unique coffee is fermented in raw sugar before undergoing washed parchment processing. The flavor profile is further enhanced by roasting it to a medium-dark level.

Important Notice :

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FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473