If you describe yourself as somewhat of a coffee aficionado, you’ll be well aware that coffee can vary massively when it comes to taste, quality and aroma. There’s also many different ways to cultivate and farm coffee, and that’s to say nothing of how coffee can be transformed via the art of blending.
Arabica washed coffee beans are regarded as very high-quality coffee beans which come from the Coffea arabica plant. ‘Washed’ beans undergo a meticulous process of washing which results in a clean, more balanced flavour profile with added floral, fruity, and occasionally nutty undertones.
Steps incorporated prior to the washing process:
Harvesting
Coffee cherries are hand-picked from Coffea arabica plants when they’ve been deemed ripe enough by specialist growers.
De-pulping
In the de-pulping process the outer skin of the coffee cherry is completely removed via a mechanical de-pulping machine.
Fermentation
At this point the Arabica coffee beans are still encased in a sticky layer of mucilage. They are now left to ferment in water as the mucilage breaks down. This process can have a profound effect on the eventual flavour and aroma of Arabica coffee beans.
Washing & Drying
After fermentation, the beans are then thoroughly washed to remove any remaining mucilage. The washed beans are spread out to dry in the sun, or on raised beds in order to dry them out prior to milling.
Milling
With the washed Arabica coffee beans now dry, they are then hulled to remove the parchment layer which surrounds them. The beans are now finally ready to be roasted!
The result of these meticulous processes is a coffee which boasts a cleaner, more balanced flavour profile compared to other processing methods, making coffee made from Arabica washed coffee beans truly distinctive and utterly delightful.
A Comparison of Specialist Coffees
Whilst the world of coffee offers an impressive array of specialist varieties, Arabica washed coffee beans undoubtedly stand out for their distinctive attributes. Let's take a moment to compare them with other highly popular forms of coffee:
Robusta Coffee Beans
Robusta, sourced from Coffea canephora coffee plant, is arguably the closest competitor to Arabica. Robusta is hardier, and therefore easier to grow, and contains a naturally higher caffeine content. However, when it comes to flavour, Robusta is often slightly more bitter, and lacking the nuanced flavours that Arabica washed coffee beans possess.
Naturally Processed Arabica Coffee Beans
The natural process of producing Arabica coffee involves drying the coffee cherries with the beans still inside. While this method can result in a somewhat more fruity taste, it may also lead to an inconsistent profile due to fluctuations in weather and climate, etc. Arabica washed coffee beans, on the other hand, maintain a more predictable and refined taste.
Geisha Coffee Beans
Geisha coffee, known for its rarity and premium price, is often regarded as one of the finest coffees in the world. It carries an exceptional floral, almost tea-like profile. If there is a drawback with Geisha Coffee Beans it's that they can’t be blended as well as many other beans can, so it’s therefore harder for a brand to add their own distinctive profiles.