Benefits of harvesting fully ripe coffee
Currently, farmers across the Central Highlands are beginning the 2024 harvest season. Although this year’s yield may be lower, the positive development is that people are increasingly focusing on harvesting fully ripe coffee to ensure better quality and higher productivity. As a result, the purchase price has also increased, compensating for the effort put into caring for the crops and preparing for the next harvest.
In this article, VCU shares some important reasons why harvesting fully ripe coffee is essential, along with the benefits it brings!
Consequences of Harvesting Under-Ripe Coffee
It is challenging for coffee cherries to ripen uniformly. In recent years, climate and weather conditions have made it even harder to harvest ripe coffee.
In the past, farmers often harvested in batches to save time and labor, leading to a high proportion of green cherries, which negatively affects the quality and flavor of the coffee. When harvesting coffee with a low ripeness rate, it means that only 60-70% of the cherries on the tree are ripe. This proportion does not meet the standards for processing methods like full-washed or honey. In such cases, the dry processing method (natural) must be used to remove under-ripe beans that do not meet quality standards.
Additionally, when coffee cherries are not fully developed, with smaller beans, harvesting them can reduce both yield and productivity. Many farmers in Gia Lai report that harvesting fully ripe coffee increases their yield by 10-20% compared to harvesting under-ripe cherries.
Harvesting Fully Ripe Coffee Ensures Better Flavor and Quality
Harvesting is one of the most important steps in the entire coffee production process, from green coffee bean to roasted coffee. Coffee cherries are at their sweetest when fully ripe, with the highest sugar content. Low sugar levels result in a bitter taste and lack of balance in the final cup. Therefore, harvesting at the peak of ripeness helps ensure that the coffee has a balanced, rich flavor.
Moreover, harvesting ripe cherries guarantees better density and uniformity in the roasted coffee, improving its body, color, and flavor profile.
However, it is also important to note that ripeness alone does not fully determine the final flavor. Other factors, such as the processing method (Honey, Natural, or Full-Washed), roasting level, roasting technique, and brewing method, also play significant roles.
VCU – A Company that Focuses on High-Ripeness Coffee
VCU understands the importance of harvesting coffee with a high ripeness rate. At the sourcing stage, we prioritize sourcing coffee that is harvested correctly, with cherries that meet the required ripeness standards. High ripeness not only ensures high-quality coffee for the domestic market but also supports our export activities.
Located in Gia Lai province, one of Vietnam’s largest coffee-producing areas, VCU has a robust network to source large quantities of coffee. We ensure a steady supply of quality beans throughout the year. Additionally, VCU collaborates with farmers to guide them through the proper care, harvesting, and processing techniques to improve quality.
A few years ago, most farmers harvested a lot of unripe coffee and dried it on the ground, which caused the coffee to fail to meet quality standards and become contaminated. Recently, many regions have gradually shifted towards increasing productivity and yield by harvesting fully ripe coffee and drying it on raised beds.
As a result, since late 2023, the quality of coffee produced by VCPU has significantly improved, as we have been able to strictly control the quality of the raw material. A notable success is the Fine Robusta coffee (100% ripe) that has been well-received by the discerning Japanese market. Additionally, our Robusta Honey and Robusta Natural coffees, with over 96% ripeness, are also popular and have been successfully exported to 13 countries and territories.
If you are looking for a supplier of high-quality green coffee beans and roasted coffee at competitive prices, feel free to contact VCU today!
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Contact Information
VCU Joint Stock Company (VCU JSC)
Address:
– Roasting Facility: Residential Group 6, Chu Prong Town, Chu Prong District, Gia Lai Province
– Green Bean Facility: Ia Der Commune, Ia Grai District, Gia Lai Province
– Hotline: +84 941 203 879
– Fanpage: VCU – Vietnam Coffee United
– Email: info@vietnamcoffeeunited.com
