What does Preparation mean?
In coffee cultivation and processing, preparation refers to the dry-milling steps that take place after the coffee cherry has been harvested and processed. These steps are crucial to ensure that the coffee is of high quality and meets certain standards for export. Preparation includes hulling, grading, classifying, and sorting. Hulling involves removing the parchment layer from the coffee bean, while grading and classifying involve sorting the beans by size and quality. Sorting is done using various methods, including density sorters like the Oliver table, optical color sorting, and hand sorting.
Once the coffee beans have been sorted, they are bagged and ready to be loaded into shipping containers for export. The standard for European preparation (EP) ensures that the coffee beans have been prepared to a certain level of quality and consistency. This standard is recognized in the coffee industry and helps to ensure that coffee buyers and roasters receive coffee beans that meet their quality standards.
Proper preparation is essential for ensuring that the coffee beans are of high quality and have a consistent flavor profile. By carefully sorting and grading the beans, coffee producers can separate out lower quality beans and ensure that only the best beans are sold for export. This helps to maintain the reputation of coffee-producing regions and ensures that consumers can enjoy high-quality coffee.