The "washed process" refers to a method of processing coffee beans that involves removing the fruit from the beans before fermentation. This technique helps to enhance the coffee's flavor profile by allowing the beans to develop a cleaner and brighter taste. The process typically includes soaking the beans in water to loosen the fruit, followed by mechanical removal.
After the fruit is removed, the beans are fermented in water for a specific period to break down any remaining mucilage. Once fermentation is complete, the beans are thoroughly washed to eliminate any residue, resulting in a high-quality product often associated with regions like Colombia and Ethiopia.