Honey process coffee is catching on in popularity among roasters. Its mellow flavor and sticky-sweet beans make for unique brew.
This Is the Coffee You’ve Been Missing In Your Life
Updated on Mar. 25, 2019
When you sip on your morning cuppa, you probably have other things on your mind than how the coffee was made—all the way from tree to cup. (It’s hard enough to brew a perfect cup of coffee!) But it’s not quite as simple as picking, drying and roasting. Turns out there are a few major methods of coffee processing, including washed, natural dry and honey, and they can make some majorly different-tasting coffees.
Did you know that the Taste Recipes Test Kitchen hand-selected the coffee for our brand? Try the beans at home!
What Is Honey Process Coffee?
Honey process is a method in which coffee cherries are picked and sorted, have their skins and pulps removed like other types of coffee—but are then dried without washing off the sticky-sweet outer layer of the fruit. Since honey process beans spend less time in water than washed beans do, less fermentation occurs, so not as much of the sugar in the bean is converted to acid.
The process originated in Costa Rica, a nation known for its eco-friendly focus, and uses less water than “natural” or “washed” process coffees. That’s a win!
Nope, there’s no actual honey on these beans, despite their name and sticky appearance.
What Does Honey Process Coffee Taste Like?
Coffee drinkers have noted that the flavor profile of honey process coffee includes notes of chocolate, brown sugar, spice and cedarwood.
It has also been described as if you or your barista added honey and brown sugar to your cup of coffee—even though the name itself derives from the stickiness of the beans during processing. This style of coffee is fruity and complex with a low acidity and intense sweetness.
You’re probably curious… What’s the best time of day to enjoy your joe? Get the inside brew from the experts.
Where Can I Find It?
Though it’s the rarest of beans, there are several coffee brands that sell honey process coffee for you to brew at home. Here are some that we recommend:
- Hala Tree makes a delicious dark roast that tastes like chocolate.
- Pure Coffee Club is a coffee subscription service that delivers fresh beans straight to your door.
- Red Rooster offers tons of varieties, including Costa Rica Black Honey with notes of brown sugar and cherry pie.
What Foods Pair Well With Honey Coffee?
Honey coffee pairs perfectly with sweet breakfast fare such as waffles, buttermilk pancakes and French toast. It also partners well with banana bread, coffee cake, danishes and scones.
In case your honey coffee isn’t enough of a treat, here are some homemade coffee creamers to stir in, too.
Our Favorite Recipes to Serve for Coffee With Friends
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Fudge PuddlesI was inspired to make these cookies last year when we stopped for a snack while Christmas shopping. I changed a few things when I got home, and my Fudge Puddles became a favorite with my husband's family. —Kimarie Maassen, Avoca, Iowa
Lemon BarsThese delightful lemon bars have a wonderful tangy flavor, and they're always a hit. As a bonus, the color and shape make them a nice addition to a dessert platter.
Ginger Apple-Pear CrispEnjoy autumn aromas—apples, cinnamon and spices—in this delicious recipe. It's even better with a scoop of vanilla or pumpkin ice cream! Whipped cream is always an option. —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey
Cranberry MuffinsThis contest-winning recipe for cranberry muffins showcases fresh cranberries with warm spices and a bright hint of orange zest. Ready in just 35 minutes, these muffins make a perfect breakfast or midday snack.
Blueberry BreadThis blueberry bread recipe is a simple quick bread you'll look forward to making when fresh blueberries are in season.
Blueberry-Rhubarb CrumbleA dollop of whipped topping adds a nice finishing touch to this satisfying crumble. Sometimes I drizzle a little flavored coffee creamer on top instead of the whipped topping. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana
Lemon Pound Cake MuffinsI make these lemony muffins for all kinds of occasions. My family always requests them when we have a brunch. They’re so good! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota
Caramel Apple StrudelMy father, who was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, would tell us stories about how his mother covered all the kitchen counters with dough whenever she made apple strudel. This recipe is a modern, delicious way to carry on part of my family's heritage. —Sarah Haengel, Bowie, Maryland
Lemon Yeast PuffsThe lemon flavor in these yeast muffins makes them unique. My husband is a minister, and we're invited to many potlucks. People love these muffins.
First-Place Coconut MacaroonsThese coconut macaroon cookies earned me a first-place ribbon at the county fair. They remain my husband's favorites—whenever I make them to give away, he always asks me where his batch is! I especially like the fact that this recipe makes a small enough batch for the two of us to nibble on. —Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin
I Want S'more MuffinsThe s'more flavors in these fun muffins with marshmallow creme in the middle are sure to bring back fond childhood memories. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
Layered Chocolate Marshmallow Peanut Butter BrowniesA friend gave me the recipe for these layered brownies, but I added my own touch--chunky peanut butter. Every time I take these to a group gathering, I get requests for the recipe. It's a real crowd-pleaser! —Judy Sims, Weatherford, Texas
Caramel-Pecan Apple PieYou'll love the smell in your kitchen—and the smiles on everybody's faces—when you make this scrumptious caramel apple pie recipe. It takes me back home to Virginia, to my granny's table. —Jean Castro, Phoenix, Arizona
Salted Caramel CupcakesTo help balance the sweetness of this brown sugar cupcake, our Test Kitchen experts created a unique salty frosting. It's the best of both worlds! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Root Beer Float PieThis is the kind of recipe your kids will look back on and always remember. And you don't even need to use an oven! —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Easy Lemon PieThis lemon pie recipe is perfectly tart and tangy, and it's perfectly simple to make with just one bowl and a refrigerated pie crust.
Apple MuffinsThese apple muffins have a rich, tender inside and a decadent, crunchy topping (complete with a vanilla glaze) that makes for a delicious breakfast treat. They're great any time of year, but especially on a chilly fall morning.
Salted Caramel Cappuccino CheesecakeAfter spending years living in Seattle, I’ve become a coffee junkie! I had to relocate across the country for a time, so I created this cheesecake with the flavors of salted caramel, coffee and espresso. It lifted me up on days when I felt blue about leaving one of the world’s amazing coffee destinations. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Caramel Thumbprint CookiesIf you want a thick, chewy cookie that's loaded with chocolate flavor and smooth caramel, these caramel thumbprint cookies are perfect. With chopped pecans and a chocolate drizzle, these cookies will be the star of any party or potluck.
Lemon Coconut BitesThe tangy lemon flavor of this no-fuss dessert is especially delicious on a warm day. It gives me delightful flashbacks of selling lemonade on the sidewalk as a little girl. —Donna Biddle, Elmira, New York
Chippy Peanut Butter Cookies"Hey, these are good!" is the surprised remark I hear when I bake these for the family. As simple as it may seem, all I do is follow directions. This works exceptionally well when it comes to making cookies. —Ian Badeer, Hickman, Nebraska
Corn PuddingThis sweetheart of a side is delicious, rich and perfect on a weeknight table or as part of a holiday spread. If you want to step up your side dish game, this triple-corn pudding is an excellent choice.
Chocolate Crunch BrowniesThe first time I took these brownies to work, I knew I'd better start making copies of the recipe—they disappeared fast! My husband and kids gobble them up quickly, too. —Pat Mueller, Mitchell, South Dakota
Sour Cream Chip MuffinsTake one bite and you'll see why I think these rich, tender muffins are the best I've ever tasted. Mint chocolate chips make them a big hit with my family and friends. —Stephanie Moon, Boise, Idaho
Apple Dumplings with Crescent RollsWhen you don't have time to make them the traditional way, apple dumplings with crescent rolls make for an easy and delicious dessert. Forget fussing with a crust, just roll these up and pop them in the oven.
Kentucky Butter CakeLook no further than Kentucky butter cake for a fluffy, buttery cake with an excellent crumb and a vanilla-almond butter sauce that permeates every bite.
Cinnamon Pecan BarsI'm a special education teacher and we bake these bars in my life skills class. It 's an easy recipe that my special-needs students have fun preparing. —Jennifer Peters, Adams Center, New York
Chocolate Orange RoundsI send these chocolate orange cookies to family and friends in other areas of the country. The two-tone treats deliver a citrusy taste of the Sunshine State. —Geordyth Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
Peanut Butter Pudding DessertHere's a fun layered dessert that will appeal to all ages. If you want it even nuttier, you can use chunky peanut butter, and if you're not a fan of cashews, substitute your favorite nut. This peanut butter lasagna is one of my favorite pudding desserts. —Barbara Schindler, Napoleon, Ohio
