Runs two fermentation and washing stages instead of one, a first tank fermentation then a second soak in fresh water, as in Kenya.
Double washing uses two separate fermentation and washing stages. A first fermentation of 24 to 36 hours in tanks is followed by washing and a second soak of 12 to 24 hours in fresh water, then drying on raised beds. The source describes it as using significantly more water than standard washed processing and as mainly practiced at well-equipped centralised factories, and links it to the brightness, citric clarity and clean sweetness of top Kenyan washed coffees.
How it worksTwo separate fermentation and washing stages replace the usual one. The first fermentation runs 24 to 36 hours in tanks, and after washing, a second soak of 12 to 24 hours in fresh water further removes fermentation by-products before drying on raised beds.
Step by step
- 01
First fermentation of 24 to 36 hours in tanks.
- 02
The beans are washed.
- 03
A second soak of 12 to 24 hours in fresh water.
- 04
The beans dry on raised beds.
Timing · First fermentation about 24 to 36 hours, second soak about 12 to 24 hours (often called the '72-hour process')
Field notes
- i
The combined process is commonly called the '72-hour process'.
Our notes on Double Washed are still being checked against their sources, so for now this page shows only the facts we can stand behind.
What can go wrong
- Uses significantly more water than standard washed processing.
- Mainly practiced at well-equipped centralised factories because of the water and resource demands.
In the cup, according to guides
- AcidityMoreAssociated with the brightness and citric clarity of top Kenyan washed coffees.
- CleanCupMoreThe extra soak aims to remove further fermentation by-products, and the source cites clean sweetness and clarity.
A variant of
Variants
Common in
At the same stage
Sources · 1 Every sentence here was checked against a source we read. Taste notes are what guides describe, not promises about your bag. Last revised 2026-09-30. Some details here are less settled than others.
- Kenyan Double Washing · Green Coffee Collective