Washed vs. Natural: The Stark Contrast of Coffee Beans

Washed vs. Natural: The Stark Contrast of Iced American English Coffee Beans

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and coffee beans are an important raw material for making coffee. In the production process, there are two main methods used to process coffee beans: washed and natural. These two methods are different in processing, taste and flavor, giving people different experiences.

Water washing method

Water washing is a common and traditional treatment method. It includes the following steps:

First, the freshly picked coffee cherries are soaked in clean water for a period of time. This process can remove the pulp and other latte art impurities and make the beans easier to separate.

Next, the soaked beans are placed in a whirlpool cleaner for agitation. This step further removes the pulp and ensures that each bean is evenly cleaned.

Then, after cleaning, the beans are placed in large tanks for fermentation, which usually takes 12 to 48 hours. This process softens the beans and helps remove the pectin on the surface of the beans.

Finally, the fermented beans are rinsed with clean water and dried. The coffee beans processed in this way usually show bright, refreshing and high acidity.

Sun exposure method

Different from the water-washing method, the sun-drying method is a simpler and more natural treatment method. It includes the following steps:

First, the picked coffee cherries are placed on a flat and well-ventilated place to dry. This process takes several days to several weeks, depending on the local climatic conditions.

Throughout the drying process, workers regularly turn the coffee cherries to ensure that they are evenly heated. This prevents the cherries from becoming moldy or spoiling and promotes the release of internal moisture.

When the coffee fruit is completely dry, workers will use machines or hands to peel off the outer skin and separate the coffee beans. These processed beans are usually dark, rich and full-bodied.

Washed vs. Natural: A Comparison of Taste and Flavor

Due to different processing methods, the coffee beans produced by washed and sun-dried methods also differ in taste and flavor.

Washed coffee beans usually have a higher acidity, a fresh and bright taste. This treatment method can effectively remove the pulp, making the beans cleaner, and can control the chemical changes produced during the fermentation process. Therefore, washed coffee often has the characteristics of being soft, fresh, and floral.

In contrast, beans processed by the sun drying method usually have lower acidity, rich and deep taste. This is because during the sun drying process, the coffee berries will come into contact with the natural environment and absorb some additional substances. These substances will give the coffee beans unique and complex flavor characteristics, such as chocolate, nuts or toast.

in conclusion

Whether it is washed or sun-dried, processing coffee beans can bring different taste and flavor experiences. Coffee beans processed by the washed method are usually brighter and fresher, suitable for people who like a fresh taste; while coffee beans processed by the sun-dried method are richer and more complex, suitable for people who like a deep taste. No matter what type of coffee lover you are, you can choose coffee made by different processing methods according to your taste preferences.

Finally, whether it is washed or sun-dried, each link in the production process needs to be strictly controlled to ensure quality and hygiene safety. Only in this way can we provide consumers with high-quality and delicious coffee.