Understanding Fully Washed Coffee Beans: A Specialty Coffee Guide
Speciality coffee has gained immense popularity in recent years, introducing terms and techniques that might be unfamiliar to those new to the coffee scene. Among these terms, "Fully Washed coffee beans" stands out, representing a specific coffee bean processing method. This article will delve into the definition and significance of Fully Washed coffee beans.
What are Fully Washed Coffee Beans?
Fully-washed coffee beans, also known as wet-processed coffee beans, are a specialised coffee processing method that focuses on swiftly removing the cherry fruit from the coffee bean immediately after harvest. This method involves a series of meticulous steps, commencing with soaking freshly picked cherries in water for several days. This soaking process plays an important role in breaking down the fruit's outer layer, facilitating its removal. After the cherries have been soaked, they undergo a mechanised procedure that removes the fruit's outer layer, leaving only the coffee bean. Multiple rinses follow to eliminate lingering fruit particles before the beans are dried.
Why are Fully Washed Coffee Beans So Highly Prized?
Fully-washed coffee beans hold a special place in the speciality coffee industry, celebrated for their ability to yield a clean, bright, and consistently flavoured cup of coffee. By removing the outer layer of the fruit, Fully Washed coffee beans offer a more uniform flavour profile, minimising the chances of encountering off flavours or defects. Additionally, the washing process contributes to preserving the coffee bean's inherent acidity.
According to an article from Perfect Daily Grind, washing coffee "can eliminate any impurities that may have been acquired during harvesting or processing, which can contribute to defects and off-flavours." The same article highlights that the washing process can be time-consuming and labour-intensive, contributing to the relatively higher cost of Fully Washed coffee beans when compared to other processing methods.
Let's sum this up
In summary, Fully Washed coffee beans represent a meticulous coffee processing method focused on removing the outer layer of the fruit, resulting in a beautifully balanced cup of coffee. These beans are highly rated in the speciality coffee industry due to their ability to remove impurities and preserve the coffee bean's natural acidity, resulting in a superior flavour and consistency that many coffee connoisseurs are willing to pay a premium for. As the coffee industry continues to evolve, it remains captivating to witness how Fully Washed coffee beans and other processing methods shape the speciality coffee landscape.
