Coffee processing
How coffee cherries are processed
Processing is the set of steps used to transform harvested coffee cherries into stable green coffee. Different methods remove or retain fruit material in different ways.
Image placeholder: coffee processingSuggested image: cherries drying on raised beds, a wet mill or depulping equipment.
Three important processing families
| Method | Basic approach | Common terminology |
|---|---|---|
| Natural | Whole cherries are dried before the fruit is removed. | Dry process |
| Washed | Fruit is mechanically removed and remaining material is removed before drying. | Wet process / fully washed |
| Honey | Cherries are depulped while some mucilage remains during drying. | Pulped natural |
Explore processing methods
Natural
How whole-cherry drying works and why the method can affect cup character.
Read natural processing →