Coffee Processing
From the Cherry to the Bean
Not many people realise that coffee beans are the seeds contained in the coffee plant’s ripe cherry. The development of the actual cherry begins when the delicate jasmine scented flowers appear on the coffee tree. Within 6 to 9 months the cherries mature and change in colour from green to yellow to a vibrant ripe red.
Once the cherries are picked, they are de-pulped to reveal the 2 beans inside the cherry. The beans are fermented for 12 to 18 hours and are then washed to remove the mucilage that forms on the outer skin. They are then laid out on patios and are sun-dried for 7 to 8 days. This removes a considerable amount of moisture. After drying, they are taken to a dry mill where the outer parchment is removed and the beans are sorted by their physical size. The coffee is now ready for shipping and roasting.
