Washing and Processing: Coffee Bean Basics

Have you washed your coffee? If it isn’t washed, it is dirty? Those of us who work professionally in the coffee roasting field know these terms well, but for those new to the coffee industry, the different types of washing and processing that a coffee bean goes through before it reaches your cup can be confusing. Today, we’re sharing our expertise on the coffee roasting process so you can make the best choices for your best taste!

Washing
When one processing coffee by “washing” it, otherwise known as “wet processing,” the coffee bean goes through a lot before you drink it! The bean, or cherry as it is often called at this stage, goes into a machine that removes its outer skin and allows the seeds and the surrounding substances to ferment in water for about 2 days, releasing the flavorful sugars and acids that give coffee its distinct taste. Longer fermentation results in stronger-flavored coffee. Washing is the most-frequently used processing technique and is often used for high-end coffees.

Unwashed
If washing gives coffee all those benefits, why skip it? A natural or “dry processing” has been used for centuries, far longer than the “wet” method, and produces equally delicious results in a different way. These coffee beans are laid out flat in the sun and rotated regularly for two to six weeks, allowing the flavors to develop. The seeds are then removed. This strategy requires less complex equipment, and is well-suited for desert regions where water supplies are poor.

Happy Hybrid: Semi-Washed
For those seeking the best of both worlds, semi-washed coffee starts off like the wet method, with machines removing the skins, but then the beans are allowed to dry in the sun, like the dry method. This process provides some of the benefits of each, and is often easy for farmers. The flavor tends to be somewhere in the middle as well.
Ready to experiment with your new knowledge? This is the perfect opportunity to host a coffee sampling party—for one, or for friends! Don’t forget to check out the best selection of bulk green coffee beans, café kopi luwak, and fresh-roasted beans from Lavanta coffee roasters!