Coffee bean processing: from picking to roasting, the whole process revealed

Picking coffee beans

The processing of coffee beans begins with picking. In coffee plantations, farmers regularly check the growth of coffee trees and pick them at the right time. Generally speaking, the color of more mature fruits will change from green to red.

When the fruit reaches the ideal ripeness, farmers remove it from the tree by hand or using mechanical equipment. This process requires careful handling of each fruit to avoid damaging it or mixing in unripe fruit.

Peeling and fermentation

Once the coffee beans are picked, the next step is to remove the outer pulp and inner husks of the coffee beans (called "dehulling"). This can be done in a variety of ways, including natural drying, washing, and semi-washing.

After being peeled, coffee beans usually go through a fermentation process. This process helps improve the taste of the beans and makes them easier to process and store. Fermentation time usually lasts from a few hours to several days.

Drying and screening

After fermentation is complete, the coffee beans need to be dried. The purpose of this process is to evaporate the moisture in the beans so that they can be better preserved. Farmers will spread the coffee beans on a flat surface and expose them to the sun or use specially designed equipment to dry them.

Meanwhile, during the drying process, farmers also sort the coffee beans, carefully inspecting each bean and removing any that do not meet quality standards or have defects.

Shelling and sorting

When the beans are completely dry, the next step is to remove the outer shell (called "hulling"). This can be done mechanically or by hand. Once the hull is removed, the remaining portion is what we call the "twenty".

The final step is to sort the shelled tuna. Depending on the species, origin, quality and other factors, farmers will sort the tuna according to specific standards and pack them for sale to wholesalers or processing plants.

Baking and packaging

Once the beans arrive at the processing plant, they will go through the roasting process. Roasting is a critical step that affects the taste and flavor of the coffee beans. Different degrees of roasting will produce coffee with different flavor characteristics.

After roasting, the beans need to be cooled and given some time to release the gases inside. They are then packaged, usually in sealed bags or jars to preserve freshness.

Conclusion

From picking to roasting, these are the key steps in the coffee bean processing process. Each link needs to be carefully handled and controlled to ensure the final product is of excellent quality. Only coffee beans that have been carefully processed and handled can bring us a delicious and fragrant cup.