#102 Natural-Processed Coffee Beans from Ethiopia

From the producer, Genuine Origin:

Coffee from the Guji Highland Coffee Plantation thrives in natural, semi-forest areas at soaring altitudes that reach 2,000 to 2,150masl. Established in 2012, the estate follows strict technical guidelines for production and engages additional smallholders in the surrounding area with training and guidance...

In the natural process, only the ripest coffee cherries are harvested. The entire procedure requires thorough planning because drying naturals is a slow process that can take up to four weeks. Coffee cherries are dried whole, without removing any of the fruit. During this stage, the coffee is turned regularly to increase airflow, support even drying, and prevent spoilage. After the cherries have been dried, the seeds (or coffee beans) are removed from the fruit and prepared for export.

At the Guji Highland Coffee Plantation, skilled workers take extra care to sort out under-ripe cherries and natural debris for optimal final cup quality in multiple steps. After drying and hulling, workers color-sort beans by hand for discoloration and size. Mechanical shakers sort the beans by density, and electric “eyes” scan the beans for defects, discolorations, and other malformations. The Guji green coffee is then polished to eliminate silver skin to avoid excess chaff in the roasting process.