The Dry Method

Freshly picked cherries are simply spread out on huge surfaces to dry in the sun. To prevent spoiling, they are re-raked and turned throughout the day and covered at night. When the moisture content of the cherries drops to 11 percent, the drying process is complete.

The Wet Method

With this method, the freshly harvested cherries are passed through a pulping machine where the skin and pulp are separated from the bean. The beans are then separated by weight using water, the heavier riper ones sinking to the bottom.

A series of rotating drums then separate the beans by size, after which the beans are transported to large, water-filled fermentation tanks, where naturally occurring enzymes remove the mucus-like layer (the parenchyma) from the outside of the bean. Once complete the bean is rough to the touch.  The beans are rinsed by being passed through additional water channels. The beans are now ready to be dried.