Dry or wet? Secrets of coffee processing.

Just when you think you have learnt all the factors that determine the taste of a coffee - the type of bean, the country and region of origin, the type of crop, the altitude, the type of soil, the date and method of roasting, the degree of grinding, the proportions to water and, finally, the brewing method. You think nothing will surprise you anymore.And yet! It turns out that coffee from the same plantation, the same harvest and the same variety can taste different. Are you wondering how this is possible? Coffee processing - therein lies the secret! Today we will discover all its secrets together. We invite you to read on.

What is coffee processing?

Coffee processing it's basically the most important stageright after harvesting. This is one of the most momentous elements of coffee production and has a significant impact on the final taste. What does it involve? The harvested coffee cherries consist of several layers.

Our task, or rather the task of processing, is to get rid of these layers, get to the raw grain and dry it to the right level.

This can be done in various ways, which are called processing methods.

Dry processing

W dry methodwhich is the oldest way of processing grains, no water is used at all. This is of great importance among countries that suffer from water scarcity. It is cheapest i simplest method, but also the one that requires the most manpower. This technique works best in conditions of high sunlight and relatively high temperatures.

Would you like to find out what this looks like in practice?

 

The harvested coffee cherries are dried in the sun, on a concrete patio or a special table. Of course, care must be taken to distribute the fruit evenly and to flip it regularly. This process continues until the pulp turns into a dried shell and easily falls off the beans. The grains are then dried again. This time without the pulp until the right moisture level is reached.

Dry coffee processing translates into strongly fruity flavour profile. It gives a big body, noticeable sweetness and low acidity.

Wet processing

This method is in the coffee world dominant. This is a several-stage, complex process, using water. Wet processing is carried out on the most ripe coffee fruits, in which the pulp is already soft. This greatly facilitates the extraction of the beans.

The pulp is separated mechanically, in a device called a depulper.

 

After this stage, the extracted grains go into so-called fermentation pools, where they are fermented to get rid of the matrix. This process ends with the grains being carefully cleaned and dried. Once the grains have gone through the processing, they are subjected to segregation, where they are separated by size and weight.

Grains treated with water give the black brew a a softer, more refined sensory profile, with intense acidity.

Honey treatment

It is a process that is basically a combination of the previous two. The harvested coffee cherries are mechanically separated from the pulp, but the soaking stage in water is omitted. The beans are dried, covered by the remaining layer of pulp. They are then plumped up and look like they have been coated in honey - hence the promising name ? How abundant the initial amount of pulp clinging to the seed is will have a an important influence on the taste of coffee.

The honey method gives coffee o high sweetness, fruity profile i delicately perceptible acidity.

See for yourself!

As you can see, processing method  coffee has huge impact on its final taste. It is worth finding out for yourself, because it is always worth choosing the best ? The next time you choose a bean, pay attention to this factor and look for coffees from the same places but processed using different methods. That way you will be able to feel for yourself remarkable differences The benefits of this stage of coffee production. You may be interested in our coffee shop, where you will find a wide variety of blends. Colombia or Ethiopiawith a single cup, you can travel to any corner of the world. Consider which processing method suits your tastes best. The choice is up to you!