From this month we will spend some time diving in and sharing with you some knowledge about how coffee grows,being prepared, roasted etc. All the way from plantation to your mug.
There are multiple ways to prepare the coffee long before it is ever poured into a bag for you to take home. The main preparation methods are - being washed and unwashed (naturally sundried). Each of these methods brings its own strengths and weaknesses and can impact the flavor of your coffee long before it reaches your French press or drip coffee maker.
Coffee is actually a fruit, not a bean like many believe. The coffee cherry is usually a red or yellow fruit that contains two seeds that are surrounded by a soft layer of mucilage and a thin skin known as the parchment. The processing of coffee begins with the cherry harvested from the plant. Once it is harvested, the bean must be separated from the cherry without losing the aroma that is contained within the mucilage.
Dry processed (naturals) coffees are dried in the full cherry prior to de-pulping. This process, which can take 3-6 weeks normally, is the more-traditional method of processing coffee. This process of drying the cherries out in the sun originated in places without reliable access to waterand usually works best in areas with low humidity and infrequent rain — such as parts of Ethiopia and Yemen — although we do have some farmers using the natural process in other places.
Wet processed (washed) coffees are dried without the cherry. Washed coffees are de-pulped then fermented to promote the separation of any remaining tissues from the bean and parchment, then washed clean prior to drying.
Naturals tend to have more fruit and fermented flavors because the bean has more time tointeract with the natural sugars from the cherry as enzymes break down themucilage around the bean. This process doesn’t require as much skill as the washed process meaning it is an easier process and is widely used among coffee producers around the world.
Washed coffees are prized for their clarity and vibrant notes. Removing all of the cherry prior to drying allows the intrinsic flavors of the bean to shine without anything holding them back. However, fermented notes and berry notes are less common. Beans could be a little less sweet, but that isn’t always true.
The process of getting the beans ready for your cup of morning coffee are different and there is no answer which one is better and which one you should look for. Both of these preparation methods can create a truly unique and amazing coffee experience. Try coffees made using both methods and see which ones delight your tastes buds!
Enjoy your cup of coffee with Foxberry!
