What is Ethiopian Natural Process Coffee?

If you've ever sipped a cup of coffee and thought, "wait, is that blueberry?" — you may have just had your first encounter with Ethiopian natural process coffee. It's one of the most distinctive and talked-about coffees in the specialty world, and for good reason.

Where Does It Come From?

Ethiopia is widely considered the birthplace of coffee. The country's wild, indigenous heirloom cultivars — grown by smallholder farmers in regions like the Sidama Zone — produce some of the most complex and fruit-forward beans on the planet. Our Ethiopia Natural is sourced from exactly these farmers, grown at altitudes between 1700–1900 meters on rich Nitisol soils.

What Does "Natural Process" Mean?

Coffee processing refers to how the coffee cherry is handled after it's picked. In the natural (or dry) process, the whole cherry — fruit and all — is dried in the sun on raised beds before the bean is extracted. This is the oldest method of processing coffee, and it has a dramatic effect on flavor.

Because the bean dries inside the fruit, it absorbs the sugars and flavors of the cherry over weeks. The result? A cup that's naturally sweeter, fruitier, and more complex than washed coffees — with tasting notes like milk chocolate, caramel, and ripe fruit.

How Does It Taste?

Our Ethiopia Natural is a med-light roast with tasting notes of milk chocolate, fruity sweetness, and caramel. It has a silky body and a clean, lingering finish. It's the kind of cup that makes you slow down and actually pay attention.

How Should You Brew It?

Natural process coffees shine brightest with brew methods that highlight their complexity and sweetness. We recommend:

  • Pour-over — brings out the fruit notes and clarity
  • AeroPress — rich, concentrated, and smooth
  • Drip — an easy everyday option that still delivers great flavor

Ready to Try It?

Our Ethiopia Natural is available in a 12oz bag. If you're new to natural process coffees, this is a great place to start — and if you're already a fan, you already know what to do.

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