The Journey of a Coffee Bean: How Coffee Beans are Processed
Coffee is more than just a drink—it’s a craft. Every sip starts with a meticulous process of growing, harvesting, and processing the beans to bring out the best flavors. At Stoneleigh Coffee, we value quality at every step. Let’s dive into the fascinating journey of how coffee beans are made.
Step 1: Growing & Harvesting
Coffee beans start as cherries on the Coffea plant, thriving in tropical regions. These cherries take months to ripen, turning bright red when they’re ready for harvest. High-quality coffee is often hand-picked to ensure only the best cherries make the cut.
Step 2: Processing the Cherries
Once harvested, the cherries must be processed to extract the beans inside. There are two main
methods:
- Washed Process (Wet Method) – Cherries are fermented, washed, and dried, resulting in a clean, bright flavor.
- Natural Process (Dry Method) – Cherries are sun-dried before the beans are removed, creating a fruitier, full-bodied coffee.
Step 3: Milling & Sorting
After drying, beans go through hulling (removing the outer layers) and sorting based on size and weight. Only the highest-quality beans move forward.
Step 4: Roasting & Brewing
Roasting brings out coffee’s unique flavors. At Stoneleigh Coffee, we roast in small batches to ensure freshness and quality. Once roasted, the beans are ready to be ground and brewed for the perfect cup.
