Coffee Glossary

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  • Variety

    Refers to the specific subspecies of coffee plant i.e. Arabica, Robusta, Liberica (or specific sub-varieties within these species) that impact flavor and yield. Read our coffee variety quick start guide.

  • A process that involves removing the pulp and mucilage from coffee cherries before drying the beans, resulting in a clean and consistent flavor.

  • Coffee that is decaffeinated non-chemically, using hot water and filters to coax the caffeine out of the coffee’s pores (also known as Swiss or Mountain water method)

  • Wet mill (factory)

    For wet-processed or washed processed coffee, the wet mill is the processing destination after harvesting and before export or roasting. Wet mills typically have a coffee pulper to remove the cherry from the seed (or bean), a sieve system, a demucilager, a screw conveyor to transport coffee to the tank for fermentation, and a washer or washing station.

  • Wet-hulled process (giling basah)

    Wet-hulled processing, common in Indonesia, involves hulling (removing the outer layer of) the coffee while still moist, resulting in beans with earthy, bold flavors.

  • The intentional addition of selected yeast strains to depulped or whole coffee cherries during fermentation

  • Yield

    The total amount of coffee cherries or beans harvested per tree, plot, or farm (often measured in weight or volume per season).