The raw coffee processing stage that follows harvesting (and, in the case of washed coffees, the fermentation process). During this stage, the bean is dried in the sun, on raised beds (known as African beds) or patios.
In countries and production areas characterised by an extremely humid climate, and particularly in the case of coffees processed using a washed or semi-washed method, drying can be performed using mechanical dryers (rotating cylinders through which hot air passes) in which the beans are placed still wrapped in their parchment.