Do coffee beans need to be dried in the sun?

Coffee beans are one of the most common foods in our daily life. In the process of making coffee, drying coffee beans is a very important step. So why do coffee beans need to be dried? Let's explore it below.

First, drying can help remove excess moisture from the surface of coffee beans. After picking, fresh coffee cherries contain a lot of water. If not properly handled, this moisture will have an adverse effect on the internal quality and easily lead to the growth of mold and bacteria. By spreading the coffee cherries and exposing them to the sun for drying, the excess moisture can be effectively removed by naturally dehydrating them under appropriate temperature and humidity conditions.

Secondly, after sufficient sunlight exposure, it can also improve storage stability and extend shelf life. After drying, there is not much residual moisture in the beans during storage, which can reduce the chance of microorganisms such as mold and bacteria growing, and prevent oxidation reactions from occurring to maintain the best flavor.

In addition, drying can help coffee beans develop a special flavor. During the drying process in the sun, a series of chemical reactions occur inside the coffee beans, including enzyme activity and oxidation reactions. These reactions cause the coffee beans to produce a special aroma and flavor, and affect its taste and acidity level.

In summary, coffee beans need to be dried to remove excess moisture, improve storage stability, extend shelf life, and develop a unique flavor. By properly controlling temperature and humidity conditions and exposing them to sunlight for natural dehydration, the final roasted coffee can be more delicious.