The magical transformation of coffee cherries: from fruit to aromatic coffee beans

The magical transformation of coffee cherries: from fruit to aromatic coffee beans

Coffee is an indispensable drink for many people every morning. However, have you ever thought about the magical transformation process behind this cup of fragrant coffee? Today, we will take you to explore the magical transformation of coffee fruit from fruit to delicious coffee beans.

1. Ripening and harvesting

A perfectly ripe coffee cherry is the first step to producing high-quality coffee beans. When the time is right, farmers will carefully observe that the trees are covered with small spherical fruits in red, yellow or purple. These fruits are about to have their most important and most anticipated moment.

Farmers use a variety of methods to speed up and control the ripening process. Some places choose to pick fruits by hand to ensure that only fully ripe and good quality fruits are selected, while other places may use machines to pick fruits more efficiently.

2. Peeling and fermentation

Once the coffee cherries are harvested, they are taken to the processing plant for the de-carping process. This step is to separate the outer pulp from the coffee bean. There are two main methods: dry and wet.

In dry processing, whole coffee cherries are left out in the sun until the outer layer becomes dry and brittle. The outer layer is then removed by machine or by hand.

The wet process involves soaking the beans in water to ferment them. This process helps remove any remaining mucilage and makes it easier to separate the beans.

3. Wash and dry in the sun

For wet processed coffee beans, the next step is washing and drying. This step is very important because it can clean and improve the quality of the coffee beans.

First, they are rinsed several times in a large sink to ensure that all mucus is thoroughly removed. Then they are laid out on a flat, breathable surface to dry. This process requires patience as the beans need to gradually lose moisture while maintaining their integrity.

4. Roasting and grinding

When the coffee beans are completely dry, they are sent to the roasting plant for final processing, where they are subjected to high temperatures to change their flavor and aroma.

According to different taste preferences and market demands, roasters will choose different degrees of roasting. Light roasting produces coffee with higher acidity and lighter taste; while deep roasting brings a stronger and bitter flavor.

Finally, after completing all the necessary steps, the coffee beans will be sent to professional equipment for crushing and packaging. Now we can see that those coffee beans that were originally in the form of fruits have been transformed into a form that can be used to brew delicious and fragrant coffee.

Conclusion

From fruit to fragrant coffee beans, the whole process is full of magical transformation. Every step requires careful care from farmers and roasters to ensure the quality of the final product. So, when you enjoy a cup of delicious coffee, please remember that behind it are countless people's hard work and dedication to the unique processing technology of coffee beans.