Coffee bean processing: the whole process from raw to aromatic

Coffee bean processing: the whole process from raw to aromatic

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and coffee beans are the key raw material for making coffee. From the original coffee beans to the cup of mellow taste, it has undergone a series of delicate processing. This article will focus on this and introduce the whole process from picking, processing, roasting to grinding in detail.

1. Harvesting and processing

First, in a suitable season and time, farmers will carefully select coffee berries that are moderately mature for picking. These berries are usually dark red or yellow and have a strong and sweet smell.

Once the fruits are harvested, farmers send them to the processing plant for initial processing. At this stage, they remove the outer layer of the fruit to expose the essence inside - the seeds we call "coffee beans".

2. Fermentation and cleaning

Next, during the fermentation process, the coffee beans are placed in special containers to allow the pulp inside to break down. This process usually takes one to two days and requires ensuring the correct temperature and humidity.

After fermentation is complete, the coffee beans are thoroughly washed. This is to remove the pulp and other impurities that remain on the surface. After washing, the coffee beans are dried to restore their normal moisture content.

3. Baking

Roasting is one of the most important and challenging steps in the entire process. During roasting, coffee beans are subjected to high temperatures to change their chemical composition and flavor characteristics.

Depending on the type and taste requirements, the roasting time, temperature and method (such as light roasting, medium roasting or dark roasting) are determined. Light roasting produces a lighter taste with a distinct sour taste, while dark roasting makes the coffee beans sweeter, bitter and richer.

4. Grinding

Grinding is the last step in coffee bean processing and is also the key link in determining the taste of coffee. At this stage, the roasted coffee beans will be finely ground into particles of different coarseness and fineness.

Depending on the brewing method and personal taste preference, you can choose different coarseness to adjust the flavor and aroma released in the coffee. For example, for espresso, relatively fine and uniform sized particles are required; while for drip or French press, relatively large particles are required.

Summarize

Through the above introduction of the whole process, we can see that every link is crucial in making a cup of delicious coffee. From picking, processing, fermentation, cleaning to roasting and grinding, each link affects the flavor characteristics of the final cup.

Therefore, when enjoying delicious coffee, we should cherish these high-quality coffee beans that are produced through a complex processing process, and we should also thank the hard-working farmers and processors.