Coffee has always been considered a bitter and strong-tasting beverage. Within the world of coffee, there are many processes that contribute to highlighting different characteristics of the beans in our cup. Although we would all believe that in a process called honey we would highlight the sweetness of the beans, sweetness has little to do with this process. However, today we will learn everything about this process and the reason for its name.
The honey process
It is important to understand that This process is an intermediate point between the washing process and the natural drying process. In this, the cherry is pulped and then dried still with the layer of mucilage that remains on the parchment, but why honey? ... honey is not part of the process, or rather honey is never added to coffee to try to change its flavor or highlight sweet notes, it is given this name because of the sticky sensation that the bean gets when it dries, with a texture similar to that of honey. After the bean is dried, it is separated from the cherry and with its mucilage that, even when dry, continues to absorb moisture and becomes sticky.
And although we already know what its name means, I can tell you that the flavor of a honey coffee brewed correctly lives up to its name. Cups of these coffees can be so sweet that we might think someone added honey or brown sugar to our drink. In addition to its balance of sweetness and acidity, it's also a coffee with fruity notesβthe flavors are less intense, but much more defined.
A popular process among coffee producers
Like any good producer, they are always looking to improve and elevate their coffee, aiming for higher profit margins on their production. This process improves product quality. But it's not an easy process; it takes a considerable amount of time, and every detail must be meticulous. Harvesting must take place when the beans are fully ripe, and then the pulping process must be carefully controlled to ensure the beans retain their mucilage, which contains a large amount of sugars and acids, which are converted into the honey we mentioned earlier.
After this comes the most sensitive and therefore most complex stage of the process: drying. During this phase, the producer must manage the timing correctly and in a controlled manner, ensuring that the beans don't dry too quickly to transfer the flavors from the mucilage to the bean. However, drying time shouldn't be too slow, as this would result in moldy coffee. In other words, neither too much nor too little.
That's why a balance must always be sought, as with everything in life. Once the coffee is dried, the beans must be stirred several times an hour to achieve the desired moisture content; this process takes between 6 and 10 hours. After this, we should stir them only once a day for about 6 to 8 days, the duration of the drying process. It's normal for this process to take several days due to the moisture the beans collect at night. Once the drying process is complete, the beans are ready to be threshed and roasted, as in the other processes.
Honey coffee varieties
When looking for honey-processed coffee , you'll find three different options: yellow, red, and black. These aren't really differentiated by color but by percentages, which vary according to the amount of mucilage and the drying time required. Yellow honey coffee has around 25% mucilage, typically less coverage, and the drying process also involves shading. Red coffee has 50% mucilage, so its drying time is longer and the shade is more intense, while black coffee has 100% intact mucilage and requires full coverage to prolong its drying phase.
And which one to prefer?
You'd think that since black coffee produces the most flavors, having a complete mucilage would make the decision easier, but this depends on whether you like stronger flavors. However, if you're looking for flavors that stand out and stand out, but without too much intensity, the yellow and red options may be for you. As we've always said in coffee, the most important thing is to discover new flavors and live new experiences. That's why we invite you to discover and try the different varieties of honey transformed into a delicious coffee.