Coffee Processing Methods Explained

After coffee cherries are harvested, the coffee seed inside needs to be separated from the fruit. How this is done is called the processing method, and it is one of the biggest determinants of what the coffee will taste like in the cup.

Washed processing

In washed processing, the fruit is mechanically removed from the seed immediately after harvest. The seeds are then fermented in water to remove the remaining mucilage, washed clean, and dried. Washed coffees tend to be clean, bright, and acidic, with the origin character of the bean expressed clearly. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and most Kenyan coffees are washed.

Natural processing

In natural (dry) processing, the whole cherry is dried with the fruit intact. The seed ferments inside the fruit for weeks, absorbing fruit sugars and fermentation compounds. The result is a coffee with more sweetness, fruit, and body than washed coffees. Ethiopian Harrar and many Brazilian coffees are naturally processed. The method requires careful management to prevent defects.

Honey processing

Honey processing is a middle path between washed and natural. The fruit skin is removed but some or all of the mucilage layer is left on the seed during drying. Yellow, red, and black honey indicate how much mucilage was left, with more mucilage producing more sweetness and body. Costa Rica and El Salvador are known for honey-processed coffees.

Anaerobic processing

Anaerobic (oxygen-free) fermentation is a newer method that produces very distinctive, often wine-like or fermented flavors. The cherries or seeds are fermented in sealed tanks without oxygen. The results can be extraordinary or overwhelming depending on your preferences. Anaerobic coffees are often polarizing.

What to look for on the bag

Quality roasters always list the processing method on their packaging. This single piece of information tells you a lot about what to expect in the cup: washed for clarity and acidity, natural for sweetness and fruit, honey for something in between.

Related reading: coffee growing regions, light roast vs dark roast.

Tracking which processing method you prefer is easier when Pulled Coffee rewards every specialty cafe visit.