Waterford Bee Company and Burlington Coffee Company collaborated on this one-of-a-kind Honey Roasted Coffee. Sourced from a single coffee farm in Costa Rica. This fair-trade, organic coffee offers low-acidity and a complex flavor. You will find a subtle fruitiness, hints of chocolate and brown suger in each cup. Each 8 oz. bag is sold as whole bean for freshness (not ground) in a resealable bag. Add a spoonful of our wildflower honey for a sweet addition to your morning routine. 
 
What is Honey Processed Coffee?
Honey processed coffee is a method in which the fresh coffee cherries are de-pulped, but allowed to dry without washing. Some of the fruit is still there, but not nearly as much as in the natural process. Most of the cherry is gone, but the remaining golden, sticky mucilage is reminiscent of honey, which is where the process gets it name.
 
One benefit to producers is that honey processing uses less water. Allowing the fruit to dry on the bean means that it can be physically removed during milling rather than being washed off as is typical of washed coffees.

Yellow, Red, and Black Honey Processing
 
During the honey process, as the coffee is drying, the sticky coating on the outside of the beans oxidizes and darkens in color. Beginning a golden yellow color, coffee which is stopped at this point is referred to as yellow honey process coffee (this is our coffee process). Allowing the coffee to continue fermenting, the mucilage further oxidizes to a red and finally a black color. The more fruit is left on the bean the darker the color as well. Black honey processed coffee can also have more fruit left on the bean during the drying process than yellow honey coffee.
 
As the coffee beans dry, yellow honey process coffee is turned more often to encourage drying, red and black are turned less often. It is the length of that drying process which allow the coffees to develop more or less fruity flavors.
 
Burlington Coffee Company is a small artisinal coffee roaster in Burlington, WI. They sourced our beans through fair-trade coffee wholesalers located in Costa Rica.