English Reference

Word

natural processing

Phoneticsnat·ur·al pro·cess·ing

US/ˈnætʃ.ɚ.əl ˈprɑː.ses.ɪŋ/

UK/ˈnætʃ.ər.əl ˈprəʊ.ses.ɪŋ/

Definition

compound. a method of making coffee where the fruit stays on the bean while drying in the sun, making the drink taste very sweet and fruity

compound. a traditional post-harvest method in which whole coffee cherries are dried intact before the seeds are removed, typically resulting in a heavy-bodied profile with high sweetness.

Examples

“I prefer natural processing because the coffee tastes like berries.”

“The barista recommended this Ethiopian heirloom because its natural processing gives it a distinct jam-like flavor.”

“Producers opting for natural processing must meticulously rotate the cherries on raised beds to prevent unwanted fermentation and ensure uniform moisture loss.”

Examples

simple

“I prefer natural processing because the coffee tastes like berries.”

contextual

“The barista recommended this Ethiopian heirloom because its natural processing gives it a distinct jam-like flavor.”

complex

“Producers opting for natural processing must meticulously rotate the cherries on raised beds to prevent unwanted fermentation and ensure uniform moisture loss.”

Real-World Examples

“Natural process coffee, also known as dry process, is a method where the coffee cherry is dried whole - with the skin and fruit intact - before the seed is removed.”
Green Coffee Collective · 24 Feb 2026
“Natural processing is exactly what the name suggests: the fruit is left alone.”
Sandbox Coffee Roasters · 13 Jul 2026

Etymology

Combines the Middle English 'nature' (from Latin natura) with the Latin 'processus', referring to the original, 'dry' method of coffee preparation used for centuries before modern washing machinery.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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