The Importance of Green Coffee Processing

Are you ever shopping around for coffee and come across the words "Washed Process" or "Natural Processed" and wonder what those terms mean? Continue reading to learn more about processing methods and how they affect what shows up in your brewed cup! 

Green coffee refers to the raw, unroasted coffee beans that are harvested from coffee trees. These beans are the foundation of your favorite cup of joe, and how they are processed significantly impacts the final flavor and aroma of your coffee.

There are three primary and traditional methods for processing green coffee beans: the washed process, the natural process, and the honey (or pulped natural) process. Other very modern methods include carbonic maceration, anaerobic fermentation, and combinations of any of the aforementioned methods. Each method offers distinct advantages and results in coffee beans with unique flavor profiles.

• Washed Process

The washed process, also known as the wet process, is the most widely used method in the coffee industry. Here's how it works:

• Harvested cherries are pulped to remove the outer skin.

• The beans are then fermented to remove the mucilage.

• After fermentation, the beans are thoroughly washed and dried.

This process produces clean and vibrant coffee beans with bright acidity and a wide range of flavor notes. The removal of mucilage during fermentation allows for better control over the coffee's flavor development. However, it often requires a significant amount of water, making it less environmentally friendly in regions with water scarcity.

• Natural Process

The natural process, also known as the dry process, is one of the oldest methods of coffee processing. Here's how it works:

• Ripe cherries are carefully handpicked.

• The cherries (seeds still inside) are spread out to dry in the sun or using mechanical dryers.

• Once dried, the cherries are hulled to remove the dried pulp.

This method results in coffee with a more full-bodied and fruity flavor profile. Natural process coffees often have pronounced sweetness and unique fruity, wine-like, or fermented notes. They also tend to use less water, making them more environmentally friendly.

• Honey (Pulped Natural) Process

The honey process is a hybrid of the washed and natural processes. Here's how it works:

• Cherries are pulped to remove the skin and some of the mucilage.

• The partially pulped beans are then dried, with varying amounts of mucilage left on the beans (hence the term "honey").

• The beans are later hulled to remove any remaining dried mucilage.

This method offers a balance between the clean, bright flavors of the washed process and the fruitiness of the natural process. The level of mucilage left on the beans can be adjusted to create different flavor profiles, from light and floral to rich and fruity.

Check out this video to hear about "anaerobic fermentation" processing.