Today we are taking you behind the scenes into something that has a major impact on how your coffee tastes: coffee processing.
If you’ve never considered this when choosing a coffee, have no fear—we are taking a dive into it today so you can find a coffee you love easier than ever before!
You may have seen coffee bags labeled “natural process” or “washed process,” but what do those terms actually mean? And more importantly, how do they affect what you taste in your cup?
Let’s break it down!
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First, What Is Coffee Processing?
Before your morning cup can be brewed, a lot has to happen—from growing the beans all the way to roasting them perfectly. One of the most important steps in this journey is how the coffee cherry (yes, coffee starts as a fruit!) is processed after it’s picked.
Processing is all about how we remove the layers of fruit from around the coffee bean. And while there are many different methods out there (and more being invented every day), the two we are going to compare today are:
1. Natural Process (aka Dry Process)
2. Washed Process (aka Wet Process)
These are both fairly common processing methods that you might encounter, so we think it will be best to start here! Many of the other methods are also modified versions of these base methods, so understanding these is a great gateway to more.
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What Is Natural Processed Coffee?
In the natural method, the coffee cherries are picked and laid out to dry with some or all of the fruit still intact around the seed (that seed becomes the bean we roast). It’s like letting grapes turn into raisins—except here, it’s coffee cherries drying in the sun.
This drying process can take a few weeks. During that time, the sugars and flavors from the fruit seep into the bean. Once everything is dry, the outer layers are removed to reveal the coffee bean.
Naturally processed coffees tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and sometimes even a little funky. You might taste berry, tropical fruit, or wine-like notes. They’re bold, juicy, and aromatic. These are perfect for adventurous coffee drinkers!
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What Is Washed Processed Coffee?
In the washed method, the coffee cherries are de-pulped shortly after picking. That means the outer fruit is removed, and the beans are then soaked and fermented in water to break down any remaining mucilage (a sticky layer of fruit closest to the bean).
After fermentation, the beans are washed clean and then dried.
Washed coffees usually have clean, bright flavors. Anything from citrus, floral or even tea-like notes can be found in washed coffees. These coffees tend to highlight the bean’s origin more clearly—like the terroir (soil, climate, sunlight, elevation) of the region where it was grown.
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Why Does This Matter to You?
As a roaster, processing plays a huge role in how we approach roasting a coffee. But for you, the coffee drinker, it can help you predict what kind of flavor experience you’re about to have:
• Craving a sweet, fruit-bomb of a coffee? Go for a natural.
• Want a smooth, balanced, more classic cup? Try a washed.
It’s not that one is better than the other—it’s about what you like! Some people love naturals for their boldness and unpredictability; others prefer the refined, clean qualities of washed coffees.
Understanding coffee processing can be a huge help in finding your preferred brew. It’s the reason one bag of beans tastes like blueberries and another tastes like cacao and citrus. And once you start noticing the differences, you’ll be better able to easily identify whether you might want to try a particular bag of beans.
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Still Not Sure What to Try?
Next time you pick up a bag, take a peek at the label—and if you’re ever unsure, feel free to ask us. We love helping people find the coffees that are just right for them.
Email us at shop@kingbean.com
Until next time, happy brewing!
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