Washed, honey, natural: what changes in the cup
Three methods, three textures, and why the difference is larger here.
Washed
The default in Taiwan, and the safest in a wet climate. Fruit is removed before drying, so the cup is clean and the origin shows through.
Alishan's best lots are almost always washed; the mountain's reputation was built on this profile.
In a wet country, drying is the whole craft. Everything else is preparation.
Honey and natural
Both keep some or all of the fruit through drying, which is risky in Taiwan's humidity and rewarding when it works.
Honey gives body without the fermented edge; natural gives fruit, and occasionally too much of it.
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