How to Brew Colombian Santa Rita Washed Coffee Beans

If you’ve ever Googled ‘how to cook coffee beans,’ you’re not alone. The confusion starts with the word ‘cook’—because coffee beans aren’t cooked, they’re brewed. And definitely not boiled. But with so many articles and movies getting it wrong, it’s no wonder people are still asking: how exactly should you prepare coffee beans?

To enjoy coffee properly, you never boil whole beans. First, roast green coffee beans, then grind them, and finally extract flavors using water—via methods like pour-over, French press, or espresso. Boiling whole beans leads to over-extracted, bitter coffee, missing the point entirely.

What Are Coffee Beans, Really?

Coffee beans come in two stages: green (unroasted) and roasted. Green beans vary in color from pale green to slightly blue, and can even look white-ish depending on age. Once roasted, they turn various shades of brown or black. Only roasted beans develop the complex flavors we associate with coffee. Regardless of your brew method—pour-over, espresso, or even (loosely speaking) siphon—the first step is always grinding the roasted beans into powder. That’s how extraction works.

Why You Should Never Boil Coffee Beans

‘Boiling’ coffee beans is a common misunderstanding—but it’s wrong. Boiling whole beans doesn’t brew coffee; it leaches out excessive bitterness, especially caffeine, ruining the cup. Proper brewing means extracting soluble compounds using hot water through ground coffee. This process is called extraction, not boiling. In fact, normal, well-brewed coffee shouldn’t taste bitter at all.

The Truth About Colombian Coffee

Colombia’s coffee history dates back to the 16th century during Spanish colonization. There are several theories about how coffee arrived: some say it came from Haiti via El Salvador by sea; others claim a priest introduced it from Venezuela in 1808, possibly through the state of Santander. Historical records from Spanish missionary Jose Gumilla, in his 1730 book “The Illustrated Orinoca,” note coffee plantations along the Meta River, with further spread documented by 1787.

Today, Colombia is the second-largest coffee producer in the world and the largest exporter of both Arabica and washed coffee beans. Its high-altitude regions, stable climate, and fertile volcanic soil produce coffee known for its smooth, balanced profile. Colombian coffee is often described as having a silky body, medium acidity, and easy drinkability—earning it the nickname ‘green gold.’

Meet the Santa Rita Coffee Beans

The Santa Rita washed coffee beans come from Colombia’s Antioquia region, grown at elevations between 1600–2100 meters. These beans are processed using the washed (wet) method, which involves removing the coffee cherry’s skin and pulp, fermenting to remove the mucilage, washing thoroughly, and drying the beans. This process highlights the beans’ inherent aromas, resulting in a cup that’s clean, bright, and well-balanced.

The Santa Rita lot is a blend of Catuai and Caturra varieties, cultivated at the Santa Rita estate. Expect tasting notes of sweet cane, a clean profile, and a medium body. It’s an excellent representation of Colombia’s signature smooth and approachable cup, ideal for showcasing the qualities of washed processing.

How to Actually Brew These Beans

To brew Santa Rita washed coffee properly, follow these steps:

• Start with freshly roasted beans (ideally within 2–4 weeks).
• Grind to a medium-fine size, similar to table salt (around a 20-number sieve or equivalent to a pour-over grind).
• Use a brew ratio of around 1:15 to 1:17 (e.g., 15g coffee to 225–255ml water).
• Heat water to 90–96°C (194–205°F).
• Bloom with a small amount of water (twice the coffee weight) for 30 seconds.
• Pour the rest in stages (e.g., a three-pour method) over 2:30–3:30 minutes total brew time.

Popular manual methods include pour-over (like V60 or Kalita Wave), French press, or even siphon (aka vacuum pot)—all suitable for extracting the bright, clean flavors of this washed coffee. Avoid boiling the grounds or using overly fine grinds that could over-extract and cause bitterness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you boil coffee beans to make coffee?

No, you should never boil whole coffee beans. Boiling leads to extreme bitterness and ruins the flavor. Coffee must be roasted, ground, and then brewed with hot water—through methods like pour-over, French press, or espresso—to properly extract the flavors without over-extraction.

What is the washed process for coffee beans?

The washed (or wet) process removes the coffee cherry’s skin and pulp, ferments to eliminate the mucilage, washes the beans, and then dries them. This enhances clarity and brightness in the cup, and is how Colombia’s Santa Rita beans are processed, resulting in a clean and sweet flavor profile.

What’s the best grind size for Colombian washed coffee?

For Colombian washed coffee like Santa Rita, use a medium-fine grind, about the size of table salt or slightly finer than sea salt. This works well for pour-over or similar methods to balance extraction and avoid under- or over-brewing.

What temperature should water be for brewing washed coffee?

Ideal brewing temperature is between 90–96°C (194–205°F). Staying in this range ensures proper extraction of acids, sugars, and aromatics without scorching the grounds or pulling out excessive bitterness.

Where are Santa Rita coffee beans from?

Santa Rita beans are grown in Colombia’s Antioquia region, at altitudes between 1600–2100 meters. They are produced by the Santa Rita estate using the washed process, and the variety is a mix of Catuai and Caturra.

Recommended FrontStreet Washed Coffees Like Santa Rita

For fans of Colombia’s Santa Rita washed coffee, try FrontStreet’s Kenya Little Tomato—bright with notes of Saint girl fruit and juicy complexity, or their Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1, renowned for its smooth balance of hazelnut, cream, and chocolate. Both share that clean, sweet profile and meticulous processing. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.