Natural Specialty Coffee – why specialty coffee lovers choose fruitier and more complex flavors

Specialty coffee has changed the way we look at specialty coffee. It's no longer just about caffeine – it's about origin, process, craftsmanship and taste. One of the most talked about trends in specialty coffee today is Natural specialty coffee .

Naturally processed specialty coffee beans often offer explosive flavors of berries, tropical fruit, and chocolate that are markedly different from traditional specialty coffee. For many specialty coffee enthusiasts, this is the most exciting type of specialty coffee available.

In this guide we will go through:

• What Natural specialty coffee is
• How the process works
• Why the taste is so unique
• The difference between Natural and Washed specialty coffee
• How to brew Natural specialty coffee for the best taste

What is Natural Specialty Coffee?

Natural specialty coffee is specialty coffee where the specialty coffee berries are allowed to dry with the pulp remaining around the specialty coffee bean. The process is also called:

• Natural process
• Dry process
• Natural processed specialty coffee

Unlike washed specialty coffee , the fruit is not washed away immediately after harvest. Instead, the specialty coffee berries are allowed to slowly sun-dry over several weeks.

This allows the specialty coffee bean to absorb natural sugars and aromas from the specialty coffee fruit, creating:

• More sweetness
• Fruitier notes
• Fuller body
• More complex flavor profile

The result is a specialty coffee that is often experienced as both intense and very aromatic.

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Why Natural specialty coffee tastes so different

What makes Natural specialty coffee so special is the fermentation and drying process itself.

When the specialty coffee berry is left to rest around the bean, natural processes occur there:

• Fructose is broken down
• Flavoring substances are developed
• Acids change
• The flavor is concentrated

That's why Natural specialty coffee can often have flavor notes reminiscent of:

• Blueberry
• Strawberries
• Mango
• Pineapple
• Wine
• Chocolate
• Dried fruit

In some cups, the taste can almost be perceived as juice-like rather than classic specialty coffee.

What is specialty coffee?

To understand Natural specialty coffee, you need to understand what specialty coffee means.

Specialty coffee is specialty coffee of the highest quality that:

• Has full traceability
• Grown under optimal conditions
• Carefully harvested
• Processed with precision
• Scored above 80 out of 100 according to SCA standards

In specialty coffee, the processing method is a crucial part of the specialty coffee's character – and Natural process is one of the most appreciated.

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How is Natural specialty coffee produced?

1. Careful handpicking

Only fully ripe specialty coffee berries are used as unripe berries can impart unwanted flavors.

2. Sun drying of whole specialty coffee berries

The berries are spread out on:

• African beds
• Patios
• Drying table

For 2–6 weeks, the specialty coffee berries dry slowly in the sun.

Producers must:

• Turn the berries several times a day.
• Protect them from rain
• Check the fermentation carefully

It takes a lot of experience to succeed in creating a really good Natural specialty coffee.

3. Scaling and sorting

When the berries are completely dry, the peel and fruit residue are removed before the specialty coffee is exported and roasted.

The difference between Natural and Washed specialty coffee

Natural Specialty Coffee

• Fruitier taste
• Higher sweetness
• Heavier body
• More fermented tones
• Intense aromatic

Washed Specialty Coffee

• Cleaner cup
• Clearer acid
• Elegant flavor profile
• Clearer terroir
• Clean aftertaste

Both processes have their advantages – but Natural specialty coffee is often the favorite among specialty coffee lovers seeking more unique flavor experiences.

Why Natural specialty coffee has become so popular

Natural processed specialty coffee beans have become enormously popular in specialty coffee because they offer something completely different from traditional specialty coffee.

1. Extremely flavorful cups

Many specialty coffee lovers today are looking for:

• More complexity
• More fruitiness
• New taste experiences

Natural specialty coffee often delivers all of this.

2. Perfect for light roasting

Lightly roasted specialty coffee beans highlight the natural fruit tones in a fantastic way.

3. Sustainable water use

The Natural process requires significantly less water than the Washed process, which can be important in dry specialty coffee producing regions.

Which countries produce the best Natural specialty coffee?

Ethiopia

Ethiopian Natural specialty coffee is often:

• Floral
• Fruitful
• Elegant
• Tea-like

Common flavors:

• Blueberry
• Jasmine
• Peach

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Brazil

Brazilian Natural specialty coffee is usually:

• Chocolatey
• Necessary
• Sweet
• Creamy

Common tones:

• Cobnut
• Cocoa
• Candy

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Colombia

More Colombian producers are now experimenting with advanced Natural processes that provide:

• Tropical fruit
• Vinous tones
• High complexity

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How to brew Natural specialty coffee best

Natural specialty coffee works great for:

• V60
• Kalita Wave
• Chemex
• Aeropress
• Espresso

Tips for the best brewing

Use freshly ground specialty coffee

Grind just before brewing for maximum aroma.

Brew a little cooler

90–93°C often works better to bring out the fruitiness.

Try longer extraction

Natural specialty coffee can benefit from a slightly longer contact time.

Choose the right water

Soft and mineral-balanced water makes a big difference.

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Is Natural specialty coffee right for you?

If you like:

• Fruity flavors
• Specialty coffee
• Unique specialty coffee experiences
• Light rust
• Complex aromatic

...then Natural specialty coffee is definitely something you should explore.

For many specialty coffee enthusiasts, it is the process that best demonstrates how varied and exciting specialty coffee can actually be.

Summary – why the specialty coffee world loves Natural specialty coffee

Natural specialty coffee offers:

• Intense taste sensations
• Natural sweetness
• Fruity and complex aromas
• Artisanal specialty coffee production
• A completely different specialty coffee experience than traditional specialty coffee

It is a specialty coffee for those who want to discover new dimensions in the cup.

FAQ about Natural Specialty Coffee

What does Natural process specialty coffee mean?

This means that the specialty coffee beans are dried with the specialty coffee fruit remaining around the bean instead of being washed immediately after harvest.

Is Natural specialty coffee stronger?

Not necessarily in caffeine, but the taste is often perceived as more intense and fuller.

Is Natural specialty coffee acidic?

It often has softer acidity than Washed specialty coffee but more fruity notes.

Which Natural specialty coffee is best?

Ethiopian and Brazilian Natural specialty coffees are among the most popular in specialty coffee.

👉 Do you want to explore specialty coffee in our webshop?
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Have a nice day!

/ Kaj and Dan, Hälla Coffee Roastery