Question

Explain how coffee beans are processed under wet parchment method.

Answer 1

The processing of coffee beans using the wet parchment method involves the following sequential steps:

1. Pulping: Ripe coffee berries are passed through a pulping machine immediately after harvesting to remove their outer fleshy skin.
2. Fermentation: The pulped beans are soaked in large water tanks for 24 to 36 hours. This natural fermentation dissolves the sticky mucilage coating surrounding the seeds.
3. Washing: The fermented beans are thoroughly washed in clear, running water to remove all remaining residue.
4. Drying: The washed beans are spread out and sun-dried for several days until completely crisp. At this stage, they are referred to as parchment coffee.
5. Hulling: The dried parchment skin is mechanically peeled or milled off to extract the clean, raw green coffee beans, which are then graded and packed.