Honey Process Coffee: 8 Things You Should Know About This Game-Changing Method
Let’s Connect on Social
Discover what makes honey process coffee special. Learn 8 essential insights about this prized fermentation method, plus why 787 Coffee offers the best honey process coffee beans online and in-store.
Why Honey Process Coffee Is Taking Over the Specialty Coffee World
If you've been shopping for premium coffee online or visiting specialty coffee shops lately, you've probably noticed something: honey process coffee is found in the best coffee shops. And for good reason.
Unlike traditional processing methods that have dominated the coffee industry for centuries, honey process (also called pulped natural or semi-washed) represents a revolution in how coffee is grown, harvested, and enjoyed. It combines the sweetness of natural process with the cleanliness of washed process, creating a flavor profile that coffee lovers are absolutely obsessed with.
At 787 Coffee, we've made honey process our signature. From our Hacienda Iluminada farm in Maricao, Puerto Rico, to our direct-trade partnerships across Mexico and Colombia, we source and roast honey process coffee that delivers an exceptional experience—whether you're buying coffee online or visiting one of our 30+ locations across NYC, New Jersey, El Paso, Houston Texas, and Puerto Rico.
But what exactly is honey process coffee? And why should you care?
Let's dive into 8 things you absolutely need to know about this transformative coffee processing method.
1. Honey Process Isn't About Actual Honey (But the Flavor Pays Homage)
Here's the first misconception we need to clear up: honey process coffee doesn't contain honey. Not a drop.
The name comes from the sticky, honey-like mucilage (the fruit layer) that remains on the coffee bean during drying. This mucilage is what gives honey process its distinctive character. When you're buying coffee online from 787 Coffee that's labeled "honey process," you're getting beans dried with this fruit layer intact—creating natural sugars and complexity that simply can't exist in washed coffees.
The mucilage layer contains pectin and other compounds that ferment slightly during the drying process, developing sweetness and body that rivals natural process while maintaining the clarity and brightness that specialty coffee drinkers crave.
Pro tip: When you visit one of our coffee shops, ask our baristas about the specific honey process coffees we're featuring. They can walk you through the exact taste characteristics you'll experience.
2. Honey Process Is the Sweet Spot Between Two Worlds
Coffee processing methods exist on a spectrum, and honey process sits right in the middle—which is precisely why it's become the preferred choice for specialty roasters worldwide.
Washed (Wet) Process: Beans are fermented and washed, removing all fruit. Result? Clean, bright, acidic flavors with excellent clarity. Perfect for highlighting origin characteristics.
Natural (Dry) Process: Entire fruit dries on the bean. Result? Full body, wild fruit flavors, high sweetness, but sometimes unpredictable fermentation.
Honey Process (Pulped Natural): The fruit is removed, but the mucilage stays. Result? The best of both worlds—natural sweetness and body combined with washed process clarity and consistency.
Statistics back this up: In 2023, honey process coffee represented 34% of specialty coffee purchases globally, up from just 8% in 2015. That's a 325% increase in less than a decade. Why? Because once humans taste honey process, they're hooked.
At 787 Coffee, we've bet on honey process as the future of premium specialty coffee—and our customers agree. Our honey process beans are among our fastest-moving online products and our most requested in-store beverages.
3. The Percentage of Mucilage Removal Determines Everything
Not all honey process is created equal. The defining variable is how much mucilage is left on the bean during drying.
Coffee farmers can customize this to create different flavor profiles:
White Honey (80-100% mucilage removed): Lighter body, brighter acidity, more floral notes. Close to washed process but with subtle sweetness.
Yellow Honey (50-75% mucilage removed): Balanced sweetness and acidity. The "Goldilocks" of honey process. This is what most specialty roasters prefer.
Red Honey (25-50% mucilage removed): Fuller body, richer sweetness, more fermented fruit notes.
Black Honey (0-25% mucilage removed): Maximum body and sweetness. Almost as intense as natural process but with better clarity.
The science: The more mucilage present, the longer fermentation takes (typically 10-20 days depending on weather). During this time, naturally occurring yeasts break down pectin into simple sugars, which is why honey process tastes sweeter than washed coffee.
When you're shopping for coffee online at 787 Coffee, our product descriptions specify exactly what honey level you're getting. Want bright and fruity? Choose our white honey lots. Craving body and sweetness? Go black honey. This transparency is what separates 787 Coffee from other online coffee retailers.
4. Weather and Geography Make Honey Process a High-Risk, High-Reward Game
Here's something most coffee shops won't tell you: honey process is hard. It requires precise conditions and constant attention.
Because the mucilage ferments on the bean, the drying process is incredibly weather-dependent. Too much rain? You get mold and spoilage. Too little? The fermentation stops, and you lose the complexity that makes honey process special. Too hot? You lose delicate fruit notes. Too inconsistent? Your batch becomes unpredictable.
This is why honey process coffee is more expensive than washed coffee. Farmers have higher production costs, higher risk of loss, and require more skill and labor to execute properly.
At 787 Coffee, our direct-trade partnerships with farms in Mexico and Colombia give us direct relationships with farmers who've mastered honey process. Our Hacienda Iluminada in Puerto Rico has decades of experience managing the island's unique microclimates—and we've invested in the infrastructure (drying beds, shade structures, monitoring equipment) to do it right.
Real numbers: A farmer attempting honey process for the first time might see a 15-20% loss due to spoilage. Our partner farms? Less than 5%. That expertise, combined with our farm-to-cup model, is why 787 Coffee can deliver honey process quality that online competitors simply can't match consistently.
5. Honey Process Coffee Has a Measurably Different Chemical Composition
This is where the science gets really interesting for coffee nerds and serious enthusiasts.
When researchers compared the chemistry of washed vs. honey process coffee, they found significant differences:
Amino Acids: Honey process contains 18-22% higher amino acid concentrations than washed coffee. These precursors create more complex flavor compounds during roasting.
Simple Sugars: Honey process fermentation can increase reducing sugars by 40-60% compared to washed process. More sugars = sweeter cup, more browning during roasting, fuller body.
Volatile Compounds: The fermentation process creates more esters and other aromatic compounds, which is why honey process consistently scores higher in aroma and complexity during cupping sessions.
The practical effect: If you buy coffee online from 787 Coffee and choose our honey process offerings, you're literally getting a chemically more complex beverage. This is measurable, reproducible science.
Our roasters leverage this chemistry intentionally. We adjust roast profiles for honey process differently than washed beans—pulling out the brightness early and letting the caramelization develop longer. When you visit one of our coffee shops or brew at home, you're tasting the result of this precision.
6. Honey Process Requires a Different Roasting Approach
This is the secret that separates great honey process coffee from mediocre versions.
Because honey process beans start with higher sugar content and more developed aromatics, they respond differently to heat than washed or natural process beans.
The challenge: Too aggressive a roast burns the sugars and loses the delicate fruit character. Too light a roast underutilizes the body and sweetness. You need the exact right curve.
At 787 Coffee, our roasting team spent months dialing in the perfect honey process roast profiles. We use different heat curves, adjusted turnaround times, and precise color monitoring compared to our washed coffees.
What you need to know when buying coffee online or visiting our shops:
Honey process beans are most commonly roasted to medium or medium-dark—this is the sweet spot that maximizes both clarity and sweetness.
The first crack (when beans first pop during roasting) happens slightly earlier in honey process due to higher internal moisture.
Resting the beans after roasting is non-negotiable. We rest for 2-3 weeks before bagging to let the CO2 settle and flavors stabilize.
When you order from 787 Coffee online, every bag has been rested to perfection. When you visit our coffee shops, we're brewing with beans that have been treated with this level of precision.
7. Honey Process Transforms the Coffee Farm Economy and Environmental Impact
Beyond flavor, honey process represents something more important: a more sustainable, equitable coffee industry.
Here's the reality of traditional washed process: it requires massive amounts of water. A single kilogram of washed coffee requires 140+ liters of water for fermentation and washing. In water-scarce regions, this is devastating.
Honey process? It's water-efficient. It requires 90% less water than washed process because there's no washing step. The fermentation happens naturally on the bean.
Environmental impact (verified data from the Specialty Coffee Association):
Honey process reduces water consumption by 90-95% compared to traditional washed process
Eliminates wastewater treatment needs (no spent water to manage)
Reduces the carbon footprint by approximately 15-20% compared to washed coffee from the same origin
Creates longer employment windows for farmers (the extended drying period means more labor opportunities)
Economic impact for farmers:
Honey process commands a 20-35% price premium over washed coffee. For farmers in developing regions, this directly translates to better wages, more investment in farm infrastructure, and generational sustainability.
At 787 Coffee, we built our entire business on this principle. Our "For Human By Human" culture isn't just marketing—it's reflected in every direct-trade partnership we maintain. When you buy honey process coffee from 787 Coffee online or visit our shops, you're supporting farming families and communities that benefit directly from the premium you're paying.
8. Honey Process Requires a New Conversation Between Roasters and Farmers (And 787 Coffee Is Leading It)
The final thing you should know about honey process is that it's a conversation, not a transaction.
Unlike washed or natural process—where the specifications are straightforward—honey process requires constant communication. Roasters need to tell farmers:
What percentage of mucilage removal creates the flavors we want?
What timeline works for your climate and drying infrastructure?
How do we adjust processing year-to-year based on harvest conditions?
This is exactly why the specialty coffee industry is moving toward direct-trade partnerships instead of commodity purchasing.
At 787 Coffee, our relationships with farms go back years. We've invested in their infrastructure. We taste their coffees at every stage. We adjust roast profiles based on batch variations. We visit in person (when possible) and maintain constant communication.
Here's what this means for you:
When you buy honey process coffee from 787 Coffee—whether online or in our shops—you're not buying a commodity. You're getting a product of ongoing collaboration between our roasting team, our farming partners, and our baristas. Every bag tells a story of humans committed to excellence.
Be a CAFFEINATED HUMAN.
Be a creative human. Be a good human.
Be a Nueva JeLsey Caffeinated Human.
Why 787 Coffee Is the Best Place to Buy (and Experience) Honey Process Coffee
You've now got the knowledge. But where should you actually buy honey process coffee?
For Online Shopping:
Visit 787coffee.com and look for our "Honey Process" collection. We clearly label each lot with:
Origin (Puerto Rico, Mexico, or Colombia)
Specific mucilage percentage (White, Yellow, Red, or Black)
Tasting notes and flavor profile
Farmer story and direct-trade details
Recommended brewing method and grind size
Our online selection rotates seasonally based on harvests, so you're always getting freshly roasted, current-crop beans. We ship within 48 hours of your order.
For In-Store Experience:
Visit any of our 30+ locations across NYC, New Jersey, Texas, Houston, and Puerto Rico. Our baristas are trained extensively in honey process characteristics. They can:
Walk you through flavor profiles in real-time
Show you the difference between honey percentages in side-by-side tastings
Recommend specific beans based on your preferences
Explain our direct-trade partnerships and farm stories
Guide you through brewing techniques to maximize the sweetness and complexity you paid for
Our coffee shops are designed around the "5 Barista Steps"—a mandatory training protocol that ensures every beverage is crafted with precision. When you order a honey process coffee at 787 Coffee, you're not just getting beans. You're getting executed excellence.
Why we're different:
Farm-to-Cup Control: We own Hacienda Iluminada. We're not just roasting coffee—we're farming it. This gives us control over quality that online retailers can't match.
Direct-Trade Partnerships: Our relationships with farmers in Mexico and Colombia are personal, ongoing, and mutually beneficial. You're supporting real humans when you buy from 787 Coffee.
Consistent Excellence: We rested-bean inventory across all locations, ensuring that whether you order online or visit a shop, you're getting the same quality.
Education-First Approach: We don't just sell coffee. We teach humans why honey process is special, how to brew it correctly, and what makes our version exceptional.
Authentic Puerto Rican Heritage: Every cup honors the tradition of Puerto Rican coffee while embracing modern specialty coffee standards.
☕ Visit a 787 Coffee location near you – Walk in today and taste HOST Milano innovation
🛒 Shop 787 Coffee online – Single-origin specialty beans roasted fresh, RTD cold brew, and more
🌱 Visit Hacienda Iluminada – Experience where it all begins in Puerto Rico
📧 Join our newsletter – Get exclusive updates on new coffees, events, and stories
The Bottom Line: Honey Process Is the Future, and 787 Coffee Is the Leader
Honey process coffee isn't just a trend. It represents the future of specialty coffee—a method that delivers superior flavor, environmental responsibility, and farmer equity all at once.
The statistics are clear: honey process is growing at 325% over the last decade. The flavor is undeniable: honey process consistently outscores other methods in specialty coffee competitions. The ethics are solid: honey process supports sustainable farming and fair compensation.
Whether you're buying coffee online or visiting one of our 787 Coffee shops, honey process is the obvious choice.
And when you're ready to experience honey process at its absolute finest—sourced from Hacienda Iluminada and our direct-trade partners, roasted with precision, and served by baristas trained in the "5 Barista Steps"—you know exactly where to go.
Visit 787coffee.com to explore our honey process collection. Or better yet, visit one of our locations and taste the difference that expertise, care, and passion make.
¡Dale que vamos! (Let's do this!) Your best coffee experience is waiting.
Ready to experience honey process at its best?
Shop Online: Browse our full honey process collection at 787coffee.com—fresh roasted, shipped within 48 hours
Visit a Location: Find your nearest 787 Coffee at 787coffee.com/locations and experience honey process in person
Subscribe: Sign up for our monthly honey process subscription and receive a curated selection delivered to your door
Learn More: Follow @787coffee for ongoing education on specialty coffee, honey process techniques, and leadership insights