Espresso Processing | Honey… What is the distinction

Honey Espresso Processing. What’s The Distinction? Apart from the reference to color there are fairly a couple of. Our group have roasted some distinctive pink, white, and black Honey Processed Espresso and loved many cuppings too. Include us by this journey of pink, white and black as we allow you to perceive the variations.

How will you inform the distinction and does the color actually matter?

Briefly, sure and no. Learn together with us to seek out out extra concerning the Honey Processing strategies used earlier than your bean hits your cup. We’ll begin with pink, since we’re kicking off April 2024 with a Costa Rica filter espresso. We’ll then dive a bit of deeper into why we simply adore this course of in an effort to be part of us on our journey.  Crimson, white, and black espresso processing are variations of the honey processing methodology, every named after the color of the mucilage left on the espresso beans throughout drying. March 2024 noticed us roast a white and a black honey processed espresso and now April 2024 sees us roast a pink, so let’s bounce into the cup and take a look at pink since April is upon us.

1. Crimson Honey Course of: In pink honey processing, a few of the mucilage is left intact on the espresso beans throughout drying. The beans are sometimes dried on raised beds or patios, permitting the mucilage to ferment and break down partially. This course of leads to a espresso with a posh flavour profile, usually exhibiting fruity, floral, and candy notes. The mucilage turns reddish throughout drying, therefore the title “pink” honey.
2. White Honey Course of: In white honey processing, a smaller quantity of mucilage is left on the espresso beans in comparison with pink honey processing. The beans are dried in an identical method, however the mucilage will not be allowed to ferment as a lot, leading to a lighter color. White honey processed coffees have a lighter physique and a extra delicate flavour profile in comparison with pink honey processed coffees. The time period “white” refers back to the lighter mucilage throughout drying.
3. Black Honey Course of: Black honey processing entails leaving probably the most mucilage on the espresso beans in comparison with pink and white honey processing. The beans are dried with a thicker layer of mucilage, usually leading to a darker, nearly black color. This course of can take longer than pink or white honey processing and requires cautious monitoring to forestall over-fermentation. Black honey processed coffees are likely to have a heavier physique and a extra intense flavour profile, with pronounced sweetness and complexity.

Total, the primary variations between pink, white, and black honey processing lie within the quantity of mucilage left on the beans throughout drying and the ensuing flavour profiles. Crimson honey processing produces coffees with a balanced degree of sweetness and complexity, whereas white honey processing yields lighter-bodied coffees with extra delicate flavours. Black honey processing creates intense, full-bodied coffees with wealthy sweetness and complexity.

Crimson honey processed espresso is standard with many specialty espresso fans for a number of causes:

1. Complexity of Flavour: The pink honey course of permits a few of the mucilage to stay on the espresso beans throughout drying. This leads to a extra complicated flavour profile in comparison with absolutely washed coffees. The sugars and different compounds within the mucilage work together with the beans throughout fermentation, creating nuanced flavours that may embrace fruity, floral, and typically even wine-like notes.
2. Sweetness: The presence of mucilage throughout drying contributes to greater sugar content material within the beans, resulting in a sweeter cup of espresso. The sugars within the mucilage caramelize throughout processing, enhancing the espresso’s sweetness and richness.
3. Physique and Mouthfeel: Crimson honey processed coffees usually have a fuller physique and creamy mouthfeel in comparison with absolutely washed coffees. The retention of some mucilage can contribute to a silkier texture within the brewed espresso.
4. Distinctiveness: Crimson honey processing can create distinctive flavour profiles that stand out amongst different processing strategies. Every coffee-producing area and even particular person farms could have their very own variations of the method, leading to distinct and memorable flavour profiles.
5. Sustainability: The honey course of, together with the pink honey variation, sometimes makes use of much less water in comparison with absolutely washed processing strategies. This may be useful in areas the place water assets are restricted or the place water conservation is a precedence.

Total, pink honey processed espresso is valued for its complexity, sweetness, and distinctiveness, making it a sought-after selection amongst espresso connoisseurs and specialty espresso roasters.

Within the pink honey course of:

1. Harvesting: Ripe espresso cherries are rigorously picked from the timber. It’s essential to pick solely absolutely ripe cherries for optimum flavour.
2. Depulping: The outer pores and skin of the cherry is eliminated, leaving the beans lined in mucilage.
3. Drying: The espresso beans, nonetheless coated in mucilage, are unfold out to dry. Within the pink honey course of, the beans are sometimes dried on raised beds or patios. Throughout this stage, the mucilage naturally ferments and begins to interrupt down.
4. Monitoring: All through the drying course of, the espresso beans have to be commonly monitored and turned to make sure even drying and forestall mildew or over-fermentation.
5. Milling: As soon as the beans have reached the specified moisture content material, they’re milled to take away the remaining layers of parchment and dried mucilage.
6. High quality Management: After milling, the espresso beans bear rigorous high quality management measures to make sure consistency and take away any faulty beans.

Earlier than the espresso beans are poured as espresso and even roasted, a lot of the flavour has already been determined. Altitude, espresso varietal and the method (what we’ll be discussing right here) work collectively and influence the inexperienced bean’s flavour. When the inexperienced beans are delivered to the roastery, it’s as much as the experience of the roaster to make these qualities shine by.

We don’t consider that one course of isn’t essentially higher than one other and all of it comes all the way down to style preferences, which is a subjective expertise. To be taught extra concerning the bean’s journey, learn our weblog How To Select Your Espresso Beans | The Espresso Bean’s Journey

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Processing Isn’t The whole lot

As we’ve talked about all through this weblog, there are many steps, each massive and small, that vastly influence your finish cup of espresso. Each step of the bean journey is essential. Processing performs a giant position in your espresso expertise. Nevertheless, it’s by far not the one step. We encourage you to learn your style notes, study completely different espresso origins and go to the roastery the place your beans are from. We welcome all espresso lovers (and even the decaf drinkers) into our roastery to see the behind-the-scenes of how their Karvan beans are roasted.

Try our Single Origin Espresso right here. Our group supply distinctive espresso from all around the world and we launch new filter and espresso espresso initially of each month. Subscribe to seek out out what and when.

References and online assets offered by espresso associations such because the Specialty Espresso Affiliation (SCA) or the Nationwide Espresso Affiliation (NCA).