What is a Tree-dry Natural?
Tree-dry Natural is a type of coffee processing method that is becoming increasingly popular in the coffee industry. This process is unique because it involves drying the coffee fruit, or cherry, while it is still attached to the tree branch. The name "Tree-dry Natural" refers to the fact that the coffee fruit is allowed to dry naturally on the tree, without being harvested and then dried later.
This process is only possible in specific regions with dramatic dry seasons, such as parts of Brazil, India, Central America, and East Africa. During the dry season, the coffee cherries are left on the tree until they reach the desired level of ripeness. Once the cherries have ripened, they are left to dry on the tree branch, where they will gradually dehydrate and shrivel up, exposing the coffee beans inside.
Tree-dry Natural processing requires careful monitoring to ensure that the coffee cherries do not over-dry and become too brittle, which could damage the beans. Once the cherries have reached the desired level of dryness, they are harvested, and the beans are extracted from the cherry.
This process creates a unique flavor profile in the resulting coffee, as the drying process allows the natural sugars and flavors of the cherry to infuse into the coffee bean. This process also results in a coffee that is generally low in acidity and has a full-bodied flavor.
In conclusion, Tree-dry Natural is a unique coffee processing method that involves drying coffee cherries while they are still attached to the tree branch. This process creates a distinct flavor profile that is highly sought after in the coffee industry. However, this process is only possible in specific regions with dramatic dry seasons and requires careful monitoring to ensure optimal results.