What is carbonic maceration coffee?
4 min read
Carbonic maceration means sealing whole coffee cherries in a tank filled with carbon dioxide and letting them ferment slowly before drying. The method comes from winemaking. It usually gives bright, juicy, winey coffee with a sparkling fruit character.
Borrowed from wine
Winemakers in Beaujolais have long fermented whole grapes under carbon dioxide to make light, fruity wines. Coffee producers tried the same thing with whole cherries, and the method caught on in competition coffee in the mid-2010s. Indian estates have been making carbonic lots for several harvests now.
- Ripe cherries are picked and sorted carefully.
- Whole cherries go into a sealed tank.
- Carbon dioxide is added to push out oxygen.
- The cherries ferment slowly for a set time while temperature and pH are watched.
- The cherries are dried whole like a natural, or pulped and dried like a washed coffee.
What it tastes like
Think red wine, grape, cherry cola, hibiscus and a lively acidity. Compared with a regular anaerobic, carbonic lots are often a bit cleaner and more sparkling, and less heavy and jammy.
| Carbonic maceration | Anaerobic | Natural | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tank | Sealed, filled with CO2 | Sealed, low oxygen | Open air |
| Fruit character | Bright, winey | Intense, jammy | Ripe, berry |
| Body | Medium | Heavy | Medium to heavy |
Tip: Brew carbonic coffees as a light pour-over and let the cup cool. The fruit gets clearer as it drops to drinking temperature.
Carbonic lots to try
See all →
Ratnagiri Estate | Chikmagalur | 100% Arabica | Omni Roast | 250g
Harley Kaapi Royale – Fine Robusta
Dark Harvest - Coffee Capsules | Anugraha Estate
Browse all experimental coffees →
Questions
Is carbonic maceration coffee carbonated?
No. The CO2 is only used during fermentation. The finished beans are dried, roasted and brewed normally.
Is it the same as anaerobic?
It is a type of anaerobic fermentation, but the tank is deliberately filled with CO2 and whole cherries are used.
Is it good with milk?
It can be, but milk hides the delicate fruit. Most people enjoy it black.
Read next
What are anaerobic and experimental coffees?
Sealed tanks, added yeasts, fruit co-ferments and whisky barrels. A plain guide to the wild side of Indian specialty.
How does fermentation shape coffee flavour?
Every coffee ferments on the way from cherry to bean. Here is what that means and which flavours it creates.
How do you brew light roasts well?
Light roasts are dense and slow to give up flavour. Hotter water, a finer grind and a little patience turn sour cups into sweet, bright ones.