Understanding Coffee Processing: Washed, Honey & Natural

Before coffee ever reaches the roaster—or your cup—it goes through a critical step called processing. Processing is what happens to the coffee cherry after it’s picked, and it plays a huge role in shaping flavor, sweetness, acidity, and body.

At Alabaster Coffee, we source and roast coffees that showcase how processing influences taste. Three of the most common and impactful methods you’ll encounter are washed, honey, and natural. Here’s what they mean—and how they show up in the cup.

Washed coffee (Xam Tai, Laos)

Washed Process (Clean & Bright)

Washed process (sometimes called wet process) coffees are known for their clarity and brightness. After harvest, the coffee cherry’s skin and fruit are mechanically removed. The beans are then fermented in water to break down any remaining mucilage, thoroughly washed, and dried.

Because most of the fruit is removed early, washed coffees highlight the bean’s intrinsic qualities—origin, variety, and growing conditions—rather than fermentation-driven flavors. The result is a cup that’s often crisp, articulate, and transparent.

Washed Process at a Glance

• Typical flavors: Citrus, floral, crisp acidity

• Body: Light to medium

• Great for: Pour-over, drip, light-to-medium roasts

Coffee cherries in a depulper (Jinotega, Nicaragua)

Honey Process (Sweet & Balanced)

Honey process coffees bridge the gap between washed and natural. The skin of the cherry is removed, but some (or all) of the sticky fruit layer—called mucilage—is intentionally left on the bean during drying.

The amount of remaining mucilage varies, often described as yellow, red, or black honey, and directly affects sweetness and body. Honey processed coffees tend to offer rounded sweetness, balanced acidity, and a syrupy mouthfeel without overwhelming fruitiness.

This method also typically uses less water than washed processing, making it an appealing option in regions where water conservation is important.

Honey Process at a Glance

• Typical flavors: Stone fruit, caramel, brown sugar

• Body: Medium

• Great for: Filter coffee or espresso

Natural processing on raised drying beds (Jinotega, Nicaragua)

Natural Process (Bold & Fruit-Forward)

Natural process (or dry process) coffees are dried with the entire cherry intact. Whole cherries are laid out on patios or raised beds, where they dry slowly over time. During this process, the beans absorb sugars and flavor compounds from the fruit.

When carefully managed, natural coffees can be intensely expressive—often juicy, fruity, and wine-like. Because fermentation happens inside the cherry, this method requires close attention to avoid defects, but the reward is a deeply complex cup.

Natural Process at a Glance

• Typical flavors: Berry, tropical fruit, fermented sweetness

• Body: Medium to full

• Great for: Espresso, immersion brewing, adventurous drinkers

What This Means for Your Cup

Processing is one of the biggest reasons two coffees from the same country—or even the same farm—can taste wildly different. At Alabaster Coffee, we choose coffees and roast profiles that let each processing method shine:

• Washed coffees for clarity and vibrancy

• Honey processed coffees for balance and sweetness

• Natural coffees for bold, fruit-driven character

Understanding processing gives you a new lens for exploring flavor—and a better way to find coffees you’ll love.

Taste the Difference at Alabaster Coffee

Ready to explore?

We’re currently roasting coffees that highlight each processing style, including:

• Washed Process Coffees: Clean, expressive single origins from Central and South America

• Honey Process Coffees: Sweet, nuanced offerings with caramelized depth

• Natural Process Coffees: Fruit-forward coffees for those who love complexity

👉 Shop our coffees to discover which processing method speaks to your palate—and enjoy the story behind every cup.

Every coffee tells a story, from the farm to the process to your brew. We’re grateful to share that story with you.\!

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Brew Tips by Processing Method (Bonus)

Washed: Highlight acidity and clarity with pour-over or batch brew.
Honey: Try a slightly lower brew ratio for enhanced sweetness.
Natural: Immersion methods or espresso bring out body and fruit intensity.

Better Coffee at Home Starts with Your Water

When you’re brewing coffee at home, it’s easy to focus on the beans, your grinder, or which brew method you’re using. But there’s one ingredient we often forget about—water. Since coffee is mostly water (over 98% of your cup!), the water you brew with plays a huge role in how your coffee tastes.

Why Water Quality Makes a Difference

Think of water as the tool that pulls flavor out of your coffee grounds. If your water is balanced, you’ll taste sweetness, clarity, and complexity. If it’s not, the flavors can come out dull, bitter, or just “off.”

Good brewing water has the right amount of minerals—not too much, not too little. Too soft or distilled water can make your coffee taste flat and sour, while overly hard water can make it bitter and heavy. The best water is clean, fresh-tasting, and somewhere in the middle.

So What Should You Use?

• Tap water: If it tastes good on its own—no chlorine, no strange aftertaste—it can work well for coffee.

• Filtered water: A simple filter pitcher (like Brita) is an easy upgrade that removes chlorine and odd flavors.

• Bottled water: Some spring waters are great for brewing, but avoid distilled or “purified” waters that have no minerals at all.

Here’s a quick test: if you enjoy sipping your water straight from the glass, it’s probably good for coffee too.

Small Change, Big Impact

Making just a small change in your water can totally transform your coffee. Next time you brew, try using filtered or spring water and see if you notice brighter, sweeter flavors. You might be surprised at how much more alive your favorite coffee tastes.

Try It Out with These Coffees

If you want to see just how much of a difference good water can make, try brewing with two of our favorites:

• Sabra Blend – Our go-to everyday blend, smooth and balanced with notes of chocolate and caramel. It’s delicious no matter how you brew, and with great water you’ll notice just how sweet and clean it can taste.

• Uganda Ladies Lot – A standout single origin produced by a women-led cooperative in Uganda. It’s vibrant and complex, with juicy fruit notes that really shine when brewed with fresh, clean water.

You can find both at alabastercoffee.com/shop. Brew them side by side with different water sources—you’ll taste the difference right away.

From Farm to Cup: Why Ethical Sourcing Matters at Alabaster Coffee

At Alabaster Coffee, we believe that great coffee doesn’t just happen. It begins with people—producers who cultivate with care, communities that steward their land, and partners who share a commitment to equity and sustainability. That’s why ethical sourcing isn’t just a buzzword for us—it’s the foundation of everything we do.

What Is Ethical Sourcing in Specialty Coffee?

Ethical sourcing means more than just paying a fair price. It’s about building long-term relationships with producers, ensuring transparency in the supply chain, and prioritizing sustainable practices that support both people and planet. In the world of specialty coffee, that looks like:

• Direct Trade Relationships: We seek to work directly with producers and cooperatives whenever possible, fostering mutual respect and fair compensation for high-quality work.

• Traceability: We source coffees that come with a clear story—where it was grown, who grew it, and how it was processed. Every coffee we offer has a name, a place, and a purpose.

• Sustainability: From organic farming methods to water conservation and environmental stewardship, we partner with producers who are investing in their land and their future.

Why It Matters to Us

Coffee is one of the most traded commodities in the world—but many of the people who grow it still live in poverty. The volatility of the global coffee market often leaves producers vulnerable, especially smallholder farmers. By paying well above commodity prices and prioritizing relationship-based sourcing, we aim to be part of a more just and sustainable coffee industry.

We also believe that ethical sourcing results in better coffee. When producers are empowered and supported, they’re able to invest more in quality—leading to the complex, clean, and memorable cups our community enjoys every day.

How You’re Part of the Story

When you choose Alabaster, you’re choosing more than just a delicious cup. You’re investing in the hands that grew, picked, sorted, and processed that coffee. You’re supporting a model that values fairness, transparency, and quality at every step.

Whether it’s a washed Colombian from a women-owned farm or one of our signature crafted blends, each coffee we roast reflects a commitment to doing right by people and the planet.

Let’s Keep Building Together

We’re proud of the relationships we’ve built and the coffees we get to share—but we’re always learning, always growing. If you ever want to know more about where your coffee comes from, ask us. Transparency isn’t just a behind-the-scenes value—it’s an invitation to be part of a better way forward.

Stay connected with us—sign up for the Alabaster Coffee newsletter to get sourcing stories, brewing tips, special releases, and behind-the-scenes updates delivered straight to your inbox.

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Brew thoughtfully. Drink deeply.
Alabaster Coffee Roaster & Tea Co.

What is Specialty Coffee?

In the world of coffee, the term "specialty coffee" often arises, signifying a higher standard of quality and craftsmanship. But what exactly does it mean? At Alabaster Coffee Roaster & Tea Co., we are dedicated to providing you with the finest specialty coffee, and we believe understanding what sets it apart can enhance your coffee experience.

The Definition of Specialty Coffee

Specialty coffee refers to the highest grade of coffee available, meticulously cultivated, harvested, processed, and roasted to highlight the unique characteristics of the beans. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) defines it as coffee that scores 80 points or above on a 100-point scale, based on a rigorous evaluation of its flavor, aroma, acidity, body, and aftertaste.

The Journey of Specialty Coffee

1. Cultivation and Harvesting: The journey of specialty coffee begins on the farms, often located in regions with ideal growing conditions, such as high altitudes, rich soil, and favorable climates. Coffee producers dedicated to producing specialty coffee invest in sustainable practices and selective harvesting, ensuring only the ripest cherries are picked.

2. Processing Methods: The processing of coffee cherries can greatly influence the final flavor profile of the coffee. Specialty coffee undergoes meticulous processing methods, whether it's the washed process, natural process, honey process, or new experimental methods, each adding distinct characteristics to the beans at origin.

3. Quality Control and Grading: After processing, the beans are graded based on their size, density, and potential defects. Specialty coffee is distinguished by its minimal defects and uniformity. Cupping, the standard method of tasting coffee for sensory & quality analysis, is employed by experts to evaluate and score the coffee, ensuring it meets the high standards required to be labeled as specialty.

The Role of the Roaster

Roasting is a critical step in the journey of specialty coffee. At Alabaster Coffee, our expert roasters meticulously develop roast profiles that enhance the unique flavors of each batch of beans. Unlike mass-produced coffee, specialty coffee roasting is an art that requires precision, skill, and a deep understanding of the beans.

Brewing Specialty Coffee

To fully appreciate specialty coffee, the brewing method plays a significant role. Whether you prefer pour-over, French press, espresso, or any other method, the key is to extract the coffee's full potential. Here are a few tips for brewing the perfect cup.

Freshness: Use freshly roasted and freshly ground coffee to ensure optimal flavor.

Water Quality: Use filtered water with the right temperature (195-205°F) to extract the best flavors.

Ratio: Maintain the right coffee-to-water ratio, typically 1:14 to 1:17 for most methods.

Grind: Use a consistent grind size appropriate for your brewing method.

The Specialty Coffee Experience

At Alabaster Coffee Roaster & Tea Co., we take pride in offering specialty coffee that tells a story of dedication, expertise, and passion. From the farmers who grow the beans to our roasters who bring out the best in each batch, our commitment to quality ensures that every cup you enjoy is a celebration of excellence.

Specialty coffee is more than just a drink; it's a testament to the artistry and dedication of everyone involved in its journey. Understanding just what makes specialty coffee special allows you to appreciate the nuances and complexities that set it apart from ordinary coffee. Next time you savor a cup of specialty coffee from Alabaster, take a moment to recognize the care and craftsmanship that went into creating it. We invite you to explore the world of specialty coffee with us and discover the extraordinary flavors that await!

Photo cred. Alabaster Coffee Roaster & Tea Co