Coffee producers are bent on providing green coffee beans that can bring pride to the farms they work so hard on. Each process is carefully thought-out and planned. Execution is key, and if you are a coffee farmer, you know that keeping an eye on the results of each harvest is particularly critical as well.
However, one step during the production process that you just might overlook is the drying stage. This stage comes after picking and fermenting the coffee cherries, which reveals the pit inside the fruit. These are the actual beans to be roasted, ground, and brewed for you to enjoy your coffee.
The traditional way of drying green coffee beans on the bare ground is generally frowned upon nowadays because contaminants can get mixed in with the coffee. So thanks to innovations and knowledge sharing, this is no longer popular for many coffee producers.
How to dry green coffee beans
According to coffee experts, you should dry your coffee beans to a safe 11-11.5% moisture content before storage or transport. This is important to reduce the risk of mold growth that can occur if the coffee beans are too wet when stored.
A popular way of drying green coffee beans is by using machines. A lot of coffee producers invest so they can achieve faster, more uniform drying for their coffee beans. This might hurt your pocket a little more than the other methods, but it also ensures the safety of your coffee beans’ quality during the drying process.
You can also use raised beds to dry your green coffee beans. This method allows for better circulation of air, meaning the coffee beans would dry faster. Additionally, using raised beds means you lessen the risk of contamination of the coffee beans.
Patio drying has also become increasingly popular because this method doesn’t require a lot of tools or machines. Instead, all you need is a clean, flat (preferably concrete) floor. Once you clear the patio of any debris or contaminants, you can go ahead and lay a thin layer of coffee beans and leave out until completely dried. Make sure that you constantly rotate or mix the beans with a rake to ensure that they dry evenly.
