In the world of coffee, there are many paths to revealing a bean’s true character. Among them, the honey process stands out as an art form, a method that honors the natural sugars and complexity of the coffee cherry. At Sunrise Trading, this sun-kissed process allows our cultivators in Oxapampa, Pasco, Peru, to craft a symphony of sweetness and unique flavors. We believe this process produces a coffee that is both vibrant and deeply layered.

The Art of the Sun and the Sticky Bean

The honey process begins with freshly harvested coffee cherries, which have been carefully hand-selected for optimal ripeness. The beans are then depulped, but with a crucial difference: a significant portion of the fruit’s sticky, sugary mucilage is left clinging to the bean. This is why it is called the "honey" process—the bean is coated in a sweet, translucent layer that feels like honey to the touch. This layer is the source of the coffee’s unique character and complexity.

The Drying Dance

With its honey-like layer intact, the bean is prepared for a slow and deliberate drying process. They are carefully spread out on raised patios or drying beds, where they are turned frequently to ensure even drying. This stage is a dance between the sun and the mucilage. As the beans dry, they absorb the sugars and nutrients from the mucilage, enriching their flavor profile and enhancing their body. This sun-kissed ritual requires careful attention and generations of wisdom to achieve the perfect balance of sweetness and cleanliness in the cup.

Sapa Sunlight: A Taste of the Honey Process

The magic of the honey process is fully realized in our Sapa Sunlight coffee. Sourced from the high-elevation farms of Oxapampa, this coffee is a journey for the senses. At first sip, you experience the bright, vibrant notes of plum and pineapple jelly that are a direct result of the honey process. The natural sugars from the mucilage infuse the bean, creating a silky body and a captivating sweetness. The result is a coffee with a wine-like quality that evolves in the cup, unfolding a deeper mystery with hints of wheat germ bitters, sugar cane, and a floral bouquet.

For roasters, the honey process provides a coffee with a remarkable balance of sweetness, body, and acidity. It is a bean that offers a compelling story and an opportunity to explore a complex and evolving flavor profile. When you choose our honey-process coffee, you are choosing a bean that has been prepared with an art that honors the sun, the land, and the natural sweetness of the coffee itself.