dry hulling process

coffee industry

Also known as: dry process

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

The dry hulling process is one of three methods used to process coffee beans after harvesting. This oldest and simplest method is practiced in dry climates like Brazil and Ethiopia.1

After the coffee cherries are sorted and cleaned, they are dried in the sun on patios or mats. The cherries are turned regularly for several weeks until they reach a moisture content of about 12-13%. Then, the dried cherries are mechanically hulled to remove the seeds from their coverings. This method requires minimal machinery but can lead to over-drying or mold if not managed carefully. It is not practical in rainy regions during harvest time.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

coffee
Processing the bean
…for processing the coffee: the dry, or “natural,” process, the wet (and washed) process, and a hybrid process called the semi-washed, or “pulped natural,” method. The coffee resulting from those processes is called green coffee, which is then ready for roasting. See also coffee production.
Read More
…for processing the coffee: the dry, or “natural,” process, the wet (and washed) process, and a hybrid process called the semi-washed, or “pulped natural,” method. The coffee resulting from those processes is called green coffee, which is then ready for roasting. See also coffee production.
Read More