DEMUCILAGE

Mucilage is the fruity layer of the coffee cherry, between the outer skin and the parchment layer that surrounds the seed. In the traditional wet-process method, the mucilage is broken down by fermentation and then washed off. A forced Demucilage machine does this with water and friction, such as a Penagos or Pinhalense Demucilager. The early machines were called “Aqua-pulpers” but they damaged the coffee, resulting in fruity or furmenty flavors.