Worka Chelbesa – Hydro – Black & White Coffee Roasters

This hydro-processed coffee from Black & White is the first of its kind that I have had. The processing is a new fermentation method that led to a dynamic final coffee. Black & White Coffee describes the method like this: “It begins with ripe coffee cherries spread over raised beds. In naturally processed coffees, the cherries are left in direct sunlight to dry. Here, however, black plastic tarps are spread over the cherries. This traps moisture and heat, creating a humid environment that kick-starts the fermentation of the coffee cherries. After 24 hours, the seeds are pulped from the rest of the fruit and rinsed to remove excess fruit mucilage. From here, the seeds are placed back on raised beds to finish drying.” It’s an interesting mix of washed and natural processing and I really enjoyed the final coffee it produced.

The coffee began with a bright, sweet fragrance that reminded me of tropical fruit and berries with floral undertones. The flavor was complex with big floral notes, sweet berries, and a fruit-toned, candy sweetness. There was a medium body and a syrupy mouthfeel that thickened as the coffee cooled. There was a lot of depth to this coffee that was simultaneously dynamic and also delicate. The pairing of fruit, berries, and florals created a wonderfully complex profile.

The Bottom Line

My first experience with a hydro-processed coffee was a good one. This sweet coffee with its big fruit & floral profile was a lot of fun to explore.