Coffee is a beverage that is loved by many people around the world. The rich flavor and refreshing aroma make coffee a very popular drink. However, to produce quality coffee, we need to understand the right way to process coffee beans.
The method of harvesting coffee is one of the most important factors in determining the quality of the coffee produced. Each step has an influence on the quality of the coffee that will be produced. Starting from the harvest time to the equipment used.
As such, it is important to understand and follow proper harvesting methods in order to produce quality coffee. In addition, keep in mind that the coffee harvesting process should also be done in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. That way, not only will you produce quality coffee, but you can also help sustain your business and the environment.
Here is a guide to coffee harvesting methods that can be followed to produce quality coffee:
Determine the right harvest time
The right harvest time is crucial to producing quality coffee. Coffee beans need sufficient time to grow and develop before they are ready to be harvested. Some factors to consider in determining harvest time are weather, coffee type, and location.
For arabica coffee, it is usually harvested when the fruits are already reddish in color. However, there are also some varieties that take longer for the fruits to turn deep red before they are ready to be harvested.
As for robusta coffee, it is usually harvested when the fruits are red or dark red in color. However, there are also some varieties that take longer for the fruits to turn dark brown before they are ready to be harvested.
Use appropriate methods
After determining the right harvest time, we then need to harvest the coffee beans using the appropriate method. The harvesting process is divided into two methods, namely manual and mechanized.
The manual method is a harvesting technique that still uses traditional methods to collect the harvest. The manual method is usually done by selective fruit and branch removal. In this method, ripe fruits are selected and then removed manually or using specialized equipment to cut the branches.
Next is the mechanized method, which is a harvesting technique that has used modern technology to harvest coffee cherries. In this method, the technology used is advanced machinery such as tractor-pulled and self-propelled. But, this method is usually only used by large plantations and the national-scale coffee industry sector.
Further post-harvest processing
After the coffee beans are harvested, the next step is post-harvest processing or drying. There are two main processing methods we can choose from: the wet method and the dry (natural) method.
The wet method is more complicated and takes more time, but is considered more effective in producing quality coffee. In this method, coffee beans are processed by washing and drying using machines or by natural means. After the coffee beans are dried, they will then be sorted according to size and quality before being processed into coffee beans ready for sale.
The advantages of the above method are more homogeneous dry product and efficient drying time. However, the drawback is that it requires a lot of water and effort to separate the skin and pulp.
The dry method is simpler and faster, but less effective in producing high-quality coffee beans. In this method, the coffee beans are harvested and immediately dried along with the skin and pulp in the sun.
The advantages are the overall efficiency of post-harvest time and maintaining the aroma of the coffee. The disadvantages are the long drying time and the risk of unwanted fermentation in the coffee fruit.
Sort the coffee beans
After that, we have to sort the coffee beans. Coffee sorting is the process of grouping coffee beans based on size and quality. This process is very important to maintain the quality of the coffee produced.
Coffee sorting can be done manually by hand or mechanically using a machine. However, basically, the sorting process will separate the size of the coffee beans, separate damaged or defective coffee beans, and separate impurities. The impurities or contamination that are separated include other materials such as dust, fruit peels, or other grains mixed in with the coffee beans.
In conclusion, coffee harvesting methods are an important process in producing quality coffee. From the right harvest time to the appropriate processing method, every step must be carefully considered.
By understanding and following proper harvesting methods, we can easily produce quality coffee beans. Good luck and good luck!
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