What are raised drying beds in coffee processing?

Raised drying beds - sometimes called African beds - are elevated platforms with a mesh or slatted surface used to dry coffee after processing. They're standard infrastructure at specialty washing stations across East Africa, Central America, and increasingly worldwide.

The elevation and mesh surface allow air to circulate beneath and through the coffee as it dries - promoting more even, faster drying than ground-level patio drying on a non-permeable surface. This reduces the risk of mould or local fermentation developing in coffee that can't breathe from below.

Raised beds require regular turning multiple times per day to ensure even moisture loss and prevent clumping. For natural and honey processed coffees this management is especially intensive, as the fruit and mucilage create stickier conditions. The extra airflow is worth the effort: raised bed dried coffees consistently show cleaner, more vibrant cup profiles than patio-dried equivalents from the same cherry.