What Is Honey Process Coffee?

• July 12 2023
• 4 min reading time

The Sweet Taste of Innovation: Unveiling the Honey Process in Coffee Production

Introduction

Honey processed coffee has been making a buzz in the coffee industry. Combining elements of both washed and natural processing, honey processing delivers a unique and enhanced flavor profile, increasing its popularity among coffee enthusiasts worldwide¹². Despite its name, honey processing doesn't involve actual honey. Instead, it refers to the sticky, honey-like mucilage left on the beans during processing²³.

The Honey Processing Steps

Harvesting and Sorting

The first step in any coffee production process is harvesting. The coffee cherries are handpicked, ensuring only ripe ones are selected for processing⁴. They are then sorted to remove any defective or underripe cherries⁵.

Depulping

Depulping involves removing the skin and pulp of the coffee cherry, leaving behind the seeds (beans) and a layer of mucilage². This is a delicate process where the amount of mucilage left on the beans can be controlled, leading to different variations of honey processing². The presence of the mucilage gives the beans a sticky texture, which is the reason why this process is referred to as "honey" processing³⁶.

Drying

After depulping, the beans are dried without washing¹⁴. They are spread out in the sun, often on brick patios or raised beds, and are turned regularly for an even drying process¹⁷. The mucilage left on the beans ferments and dries around them, a crucial step that significantly contributes to the flavor profile of honey processed coffee³.

The drying process can last from 10-15 days¹. The level of drying and the time it takes can vary, resulting in different "shades" of honey processing, namely white, yellow, red, and black honey, each with distinct flavor characteristics⁶.

Roasting

Honey processed coffees require a specific roasting approach, different from the one used for wet processed coffees⁸. The presence of mucilage necessitates careful control of the roast to prevent burning while ensuring the desirable flavors are accentuated⁸.

The Result: Honey Processed Coffee

The outcome of honey processing is a coffee with characteristics of high-end washed coffee, such as cleanliness and balance, and the sweetness of naturally processed coffee¹. The remaining mucilage imparts a unique taste to the beans, enhancing sweetness and fruity flavors while reducing acidity³⁶.

Conclusion

Understanding the honey processing method allows consumers to anticipate the unique flavor profile of the coffee and choose beans that align with their preferences⁵. More than a method to produce coffee, honey processing represents the industry's continual innovation. Its environmental sustainability, considering it uses less water compared to other processes⁴⁶, coupled with its distinct flavor profile, showcases its potential to revolutionize coffee production globally.

References

Footnotes

1. What is Honey Processed Coffee? - Craft Coffee Guru ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

2. Understanding the Process—Part Three: Honey Process ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

3. Honey Processed Coffee – the Art of Controlling Coffee Mucilage Layer ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

4. This Is the Coffee You've Been Missing In Your Life ↩ ↩² ↩³

5. Coffee Bean Processing: The Honey Methods - JavaPresse Coffee Company ↩ ↩²

6. What Is Honey Processed Coffee? | The Specialty Coffee Beans ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

7. Coffee Processing Methods – Drying, Washing or Honey? ↩

8. How to Roast Natural & Honey Processed Coffee ↩ ↩²

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