Coffee bean processing: the whole process from picking to roasting

pick

The first step in coffee bean processing is picking. In coffee plantations, farmers regularly check the ripeness of coffee berries. When the berries turn bright red, they are ready to be picked.

Peeling and fermentation

Once the coffee beans are picked, the next steps are peeling and fermentation. Farmers will wash the freshly picked coffee beans in a pool and use a machine to peel off the outer pulp. This process is commonly known as peeling.

After the beans are peeled, they are still covered with a layer of mucilage-like substances. In order to remove the mucilage and allow it to better develop its special flavor, farmers will place it in large containers for fermentation.

Dry

After fermentation is complete, the beans need to be dried to reduce the moisture content and stop further fermentation. The most common method is to spread them out on large platforms and expose them to the sun to dry. This process requires patience and time, as the beans need to gradually lose moisture.

Sorting and packaging

Once the coffee beans are completely dried, they are ready to be sorted and packaged. Farmers sort the beans into different grades based on their size, shape, and quality. High-quality coffee beans are often picked out individually and packaged in special packaging materials.

transportation

After sorting and packaging, the coffee beans are ready to be shipped to processing plants or exported directly to other countries. During transportation, attention needs to be paid to maintaining proper temperature and humidity to ensure the freshness of the coffee beans.

Baking

Once arriving at the processing plant or target market, the most important and influential step is roasting. By controlling parameters such as time, temperature and air speed, the green coffee beans are transformed into an edible finished product with a special aroma and taste.

During the roasting process, the moisture and oil inside the green coffee beans will be gradually released, and the color of the beans will change from green to brown. Different degrees of roasting will produce coffee with different flavors.

Cooling and packaging

After roasting, the beans need to be cooled to prevent further heating and maintain their freshness. Large coolers or fans are usually used to cool them down quickly.

The final step is to package the coffee beans. This process usually involves packaging them into small bags or cans using special materials and marking the outside with information such as brand and origin.

Conclusion

From picking to roasting, coffee beans go through a series of complex and delicate processes. Each step has an important impact on the quality and taste of the final product. Only through careful processing and careful control can high-quality and enjoyable coffee be produced.