Which coffee beans are suitable for natural drying?

Which types of coffee beans are suitable for natural drying?

Natural drying is a traditional coffee bean processing method that is suitable for certain types of coffee beans. This method is usually used in hot and sunny climates, such as Brazil, Ethiopia and Colombia.

First, you need to understand what solar drying is. The process involves laying freshly picked coffee cherries on a flat surface and exposing them to the sun for several days to weeks. This helps remove the pulp and moisture and dries the coffee beans inside.

However, not all types of coffee beans are suitable for processing by the natural method. Generally speaking, varieties with lower moisture tolerance and higher density (i.e. harder) are more likely to achieve good results with this method.

For example, in Brazil, the most common and widely used natural coffee variety is Arabica, which is known for its low humidity tolerance and relatively high density. In Ethiopia, the natural process is also used to treat some specific coffee varieties, such as Yirgacheffe and Si Damo.

However, not all regions are suitable for the sun-drying method. In areas with humid or rainy climates, this method may cause the coffee beans to mold or deteriorate. Therefore, in these places, other processing methods such as washed or semi-washed methods are usually used.

In conclusion, natural drying is a treatment method that is suitable for certain types of coffee beans. It requires sufficient sunlight and a dry environment to ensure the best results. Countries such as Brazil and Ethiopia often use this method to treat varieties of coffee beans such as Arabica. However, when choosing the right treatment method, local climate conditions and the different requirements of humidity and density for each variety should also be considered.