So you like Specialty Coffee? What do Natural and Washed processes have to do with it? Well, it turns out, a lot! If you have purchased specialty coffee before you'll notice it typically comes with information about the farm, where it's sourced and how it is produced. The way coffee is processed affects the finish of the cup. But how? Well, let's jump in and find out.
WASHED
Washed would be the most common. The bean is removed from the plant where the outer layer of fruit is removed along with all the skin and fibers. Once the bean is "naked" it is washed and left to dry on large beds. This process is know to highlight the natural earth and geographical flavors from the origin.
NATURAL
Natural process, is off the plant and left to dry. The fruit is left on the bean and laid to rest. This is less labor, but because the fruit is left on the bean the farmer needs to be careful that the extra moisture from the skin and the natural environment do not rot the bean while drying. This process yields more flavor from the fruit and skin left behind during the drying process. some exotic flavors show up in the cup.
HONEY
Honey processing actually makes the coffee a little sweeter. While the beans are stripped of the fruit outer layer farmers leave the tiny thin layer called mucilage that lives between the fruit and the bean. The longer the beans are left to dry with this thin layer the sweeter the cup will bee!
FERMENTED
Fermenting process is relatively new and becoming more common within the specialty coffee area. This process is similar to natural process in that the shell or fruit is left on, while the fruit is left to ferment in a drum the bean takes on the fruity flavors. The difference is, the fruit is removed before a full wash and left to fully dry.
MONSOON
Monsoon process is used more in Asia and India. This process is washing the bean and laying them to dry in sheds by the coast. The beans absorb the moisture from the air and rain which makes the beans dry larger than normal. This process is known for earthy flavors in the cup.