When you start discovering specialty coffee, it's normal to come across terms like washed , natural , or honey .

These terms do not refer to the roasting or the variety of coffee , but to the process used to separate the coffee bean from the fruit after harvesting.

This process is called brewing and it has a great influence on the final taste of the cup.

An important clarification for those starting out

Before going into the processes, it is worth clarifying something that surprises many people:

When you read notes like strawberry, chocolate, honey or jasmine on a coffee label, it doesn't mean those flavors have been added .

Specialty coffee is 100% natural :

• It contains no added sugar.
• It does not contain artificial fragrances
• It does not contain extracts
• It contains no flavorings

These notes appear naturally thanks to three factors:

1. The origin of coffee (soil, climate, altitude)
2. The variety of the plant
3. The drying and fermentation process
4. The roasting

It's exactly the same as with wine or cocoa. Before we begin the process, let's find out where the bean comes from, because that will affect its processing.

From fruit to bean: the parts of coffee

The coffee we consume is actually the seed of a fruit , known as a coffee cherry , that grows on the coffee plant. This fruit has several layers: an outer pulp , a sweet layer called mucilage , a thin protective covering known as parchment , and inside, typically, two seeds , which are the coffee beans. The way these layers are separated after harvesting—known as coffee processing —is precisely what gives rise to the natural, washed, or honey methods, and what directly influences the final flavor of the cup.

Washed coffee (washed process)

The washed process is one of the most widely used methods in specialty coffee.

After harvesting the coffee cherries:

1. The outer pulp is removed
2. The grains ferment briefly in water
3. They are washed to remove any remaining mucilage
4. They are dried in the sun on raised beds

This method produces very clean and defined coffees.

What is usually noticeable in a cup

Washed coffees typically contain:

• clearer and more defined flavors
• bright acidity
• elegant profiles
• floral or citrus notes

Many coffees in Ethiopian regions such as Yirgacheffe or Guji use this process.

Natural coffee (natural process)

The natural process is the oldest known method for processing coffee.

In this case:

1. The cherries are picked
2. They are dried whole in the sun , without removing the pulp.
3. During drying, the sugars in the fruit influence the grain

This method produces more intense and fruity coffees.

What is usually noticeable in a cup

Natural coffees usually contain:

• more sweetness
• more body
• more intense aromas
• notes of red berries or ripe fruit

That's why it's common to find profiles that are reminiscent of strawberry, blueberry, grape, or cocoa .

In Ethiopia, regions like Sidama or Guji produce some of the world's most prized natural products.

Honey process

The honey process is a middle ground between washed and natural coffee. It doesn't contain honey; it retains the mucilage, the viscous substance that surrounds the bean. Hence its name.

In this method:

1. The cherry pulp is removed
2. Part of the mucilage (the sweet layer surrounding the grain) is left in.
3. The coffee dries with that layer still present.

This process produces coffees with a very interesting profile.

What is usually noticeable in a cup

• high sweetness
• good clarity
• mid-body
• soft fruity notes

Although the honey process is especially popular in Central American countries, it is beginning to appear in some experimental projects in Ethiopia. Increasingly, producers are exploring new processing techniques to highlight the distinct flavor profiles of Ethiopian coffee.

Here is a summary chart of the three processes.

Other experimental processes

In recent years, new processing techniques have emerged that seek to explore different flavors in coffee.

Anaerobic fermentation

In this method, the coffee ferments in closed tanks without oxygen .
By controlling the fermentation environment, producers can influence how coffee aromas develop.

This process can generate more intense, complex and sometimes surprising profiles, with notes reminiscent of tropical fruits, wine or spices.

Carbonic maceration

This method is inspired by techniques used in winemaking.
The coffee cherries are fermented whole in sealed containers , where carbon dioxide controls the fermentation process.

The result is usually a very aromatic coffee, with fruity profiles and a silkier texture in the cup.

Although these processes are gaining popularity in specialty coffee, they still represent a small part of global production , as they require greater technical control and are usually carried out in very limited batches.

The process tells part of the story of coffee

When you taste a specialty coffee, you're not just tasting an origin or a variety.

You are also testing the decisions that were made after the harvest .

The process reflects:

• the climate of the place
• local tradition
• the knowledge of the producers
• the toaster's final touch

At Black Jebena we work exclusively with coffees from Ethiopia, the place where coffee was born , where traditional processes such as natural coexist with very elegant washed processes and some more innovative processes.

Each one is a different way of discovering the complexity that a seemingly simple cup of coffee can hide .

Which one is your favorite?

At Black Jebena we have prepared special sets of natural and washed coffees , so you can easily discover the differences between these two processes.

Whether you prefer to explore only fruitier and more intense profiles, or, conversely, cleaner and more elegant coffees, you can choose the set that best suits your taste and compare how the flavor changes depending on the processing method. It's one of the easiest ways to begin understanding specialty coffee from the cup.

Choose from:

• A kit with all our coffees .
• A kit with natural coffees.
• A kit with washed coffees.

You can also try our subscription, which lets you choose your coffee each month.

Enjoy them!