An apparatus for fermenting coffee beans in a fermentation process comprises: a fermentation vessel 110 having an outlet 120 means 126 for actuating contents of the fermentation vessel a pH sensor 112 for monitoring the pH level in the fermentation vessel 110 and a control system 114. The control system 114 is arranged to control the means for actuating 126 in accordance with a regular actuation schedule, receive an output from the pH sensor and control at least the outlet of the fermentation vessel in response to at least the output from the pH sensor 112. Also disclosed are corresponding methods of controlling the fermentation of coffee beans and methods of collecting, analysing and using data arising from the fermentation process.
