Are you a coffee lover looking to expand your knowledge of your favorite drink? If so, you’ve probably heard of the three main coffee processing methods: washed, natural, and honey. But what do these terms actually mean, and how do they impact the flavor and quality of your coffee? In this blog post, we’ll break it down for you in a casual and friendly way.
WASHED COFFEE
Let’s start with the most common coffee processing method: washed. In this process, coffee cherries are harvested, sorted, and then submerged in water to remove the fruit pulp from the beans. The beans are then dried either in the sun or using machines, which removes the remaining moisture and prepares them for roasting.
The washed method results in a Balanced cup of coffee with lower acidity. If you’re a fan of caramel ,brown sugar nutty notes in your coffee, you’ll likely enjoy washed coffee.
Try our Chalos Colombian, Nicaragua Puma, Wicked Espresso
NATURAL COFFEE
Now let’s talk about the opposite end of the spectrum: natural coffee. In this process, coffee cherries are harvested and then dried in the sun with the fruit pulp still intact. This allows the beans to absorb the fruit’s sugars and flavors, resulting in a sweet and fruity cup of coffee.
Natural coffee is popular in Africa, where the climate is ideal for drying coffee cherries in the sun. If you’re a fan of fruity flavors in your coffee, you’ll likely enjoy natural coffee. Try Ethiopia Ardi, El Salvador Mont Verde
HONEY COFFEE
Finally, we have honey coffee. In this process, coffee beans are removed from the cherries. The beans are then dried in the sun, allowing them to absorb some of the fruit’s sugars and flavors, similar to natural coffee.
The honey method can result in a range of flavor profiles, depending on how much fruit pulp is left on the beans. Yellow honey coffee has more pulp removed, resulting in a lighter and cleaner flavor, while red honey coffee has more pulp left on the beans, resulting in a richer and sweeter flavor. Notes of floral, citrus or brown sugar Try our Chalos La Foutuna
IN CONCLUSION
So there you have it – a brief overview of the three main coffee processing methods. Whether you prefer clean and bright washed coffee, bold and fruity natural coffee, or the hybrid sweetness of honey coffee, there’s a processing method out there that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds. So the next time you’re sipping on your favorite cup of joe, take a moment to appreciate the complex process that went into making it possible.
