The 7 Best Honey Coffees You Can Order Online
If coffee is a part of your daily routine, you might be surprised to learn that you and some of the longest living people in the world have that in common. “Most centenarians in the Blue Zones drink up to two or three cups of black coffee a day,” says the longevity expert, The National Geography colleague and author of The Green Zone Challenge: A 4-week plan for a longer and better life Dan Buettner, “The Sardinians, the Ikarians and the Nicolaitans started their day with a soft drink without ice cream.” But they’re not just drinking any old coffee, they’re drinking honey coffee – which, contrary to the name, doesn’t contain any honey.
Summary of the best honey coffee:
Best overall: Costa Rica Beans & Beans Tarrazu Ditsö Honey ($27)
The best coffee brings: Bigger Merchandise Take Me Home Coffee ($22)
Best fruit flavors: Alma Honey Brewed Coffee ($24)
Best Shipping Spurge: Monteverde Honey Process Coffee ($25)
Best for coffee connoisseurs: Devoción El Rubí Organic Coffee ($33)
Brew the best espresso: Temple Dharma Espresso Blend ($21)
Best for espresso + drip coffee alike:Sumatra Kerinci Honey Coffee Spaceship ($23)
The “honey” in coffee honey actually refers to the processing of the coffee beans. When the coffee is processed with honey, the outer fruit layer of the “cherry” coffee is removed and the natural mucous membrane that surrounds the coffee beans – made up of sugar – remains intact. While the beans are drying, a natural fermentation process begins, creating sugars and acids in the mucilage to create a rich and varied flavor.
“One important thing to keep in mind when buying honey-based coffees is that they can vary greatly in aroma and complexity,” says coffee expert and Coffee Chronicler founder Asser Christensen, “Some coffee producers have started labeling their beans as yellow, red or black honey to explain the difference. While there aren’t any hard and fast rules, terms such as “white” and “yellow” honey are often used to describe varieties with a milder flavor; “red honey” for other types of honey. more balanced but more complex coffees; and “black honey” for a richer flavor A key to buying coffee honey online?Check region All honey products are from Costa Rica, but as this method becomes popular, manufacturers around the world are trying the technique.
In addition to being simply good for you, honey-based coffee is also more sustainable, “During the washed processing, the skin, pulp and mucus of the coffee cherries are completely removed by using use a lot of water,” said Jiyoon Han, colleague. Founder of Bean & Bean Coffee Roasters, “During honey processing, the mucilage dries on the beans, saving water and energy.” Looking to join the honey coffee craze at home? These health-promoting coffees are just a hop and a click away.
Best overall
Bean & Bean Coffee Roasters, Costa Rica Tarrazu Ditsö Honey – $27.00
With its bright and distinctive fruit flavors, Bean & Bean’s Ditsö Honey Coffee is the perfect morning drink. Sweet red apple, chocolate and orange flavors are balanced with slight acidity for an extremely satisfying sip. This is considered a “red honey” coffee, where “50% of the mucilage is allowed to dry, resulting in a red color to the beans,” says Jiyoon.
Land
San Jose, Costa Rica
Grilled meat
Medium
Note
Fresh fruit, chocolate, molasses
The best coffee brings benefits
Greater Goods Coffee Co., Take Me Home Coffee – $22.00
This Texas-based roaster gets their honey processed beans from San Marcos, Costa Rica and supports local nonprofits with every sale. Described as pure comfort in a cup, this medium-roasted coffee has a nutty flavor with hints of sweet vanilla and a hint of citrus.
Land
San Marcos, Costa Rica
Grilled meat
Medium
Note
Vanilla, citrus, nuts
The best fruit flavors
Alma Coffee, Honey Brewed Coffee – $24.00
Dubbed the “brilliant roast coffee” by the Alma Coffee Roasters team at Alma Coffee Roasters, this small batch honey-processed coffee is full of sweet and sour flavors that make it a great beverage choice for any time of the day. Flavors of rose water, blackberry, and black tea give this coffee a light and subtle flavor — think fruit paired with coffee.
Land
Copan, Honduras
Grilled meat
Medium morning
Note
Ripe fruit, rose water, blackberry and black tea
Best shipping sensation
Cafe Monteverde, Medium Roasted Honey Coffee – $25.00
Before the internet, you had to hike up the rainforest trails of Monteverde, Costa Rica, for a cup of Cafe Monteverde’s locally crafted honey latte. And while you might have to spend a bit on shipping right now ($15, to be exact), this authentic Costa Rican coffee is worth every penny. Classified as a medium roast, Cafe Monteverde coffee has a complex, sweet taste, with notes of honey, pear and sugary cinnamon spice.
Land
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Grilled meat
Medium
Note
Spices honey, pear, cinnamon
Best for coffee connoisseurs
Devoción Organic Coffee, El Rubí – $33.00
New York-based coffee roasters Devoción call their certified organic El Rubí coffee “golden honey” coffee because of its natural sweetness. Intense plum, black currant and honey flavors give this coffee a richer, fuller, lighter flavor with a subtle hint of mint.
Land
Tolima, Colombia
Note
Plum, black currant, honey, mint
Make the best espresso
Temple, Dharma Espresso Blend – $21.00
If espresso is your speed, this honey-made espresso uses beans sourced from Brazil, Ethiopia, and Peru for its complex, syrupy flavor. Rich notes of cocoa, almonds and a subtle hint of berry make this velvety espresso the perfect caffeine-free sweet treat.
Land
Minas Gerais, Brazil; Sidamo, Ethiopia; Huila, Colombia
Grilled meat
Medium
Note
Milk chocolate, nuts, berries
Best for espresso + drip coffee
Airship, Sumatra Kerinci Honey Coffee – $23.00
Airship’s take on Sumatra coffee, this honey-based coffee offers the same crisp and pleasant sweetness, with added layers of fruity and floral notes. Grapefruit, plum, and cocoa cream flavors all feature on the base, giving this coffee a taste that’s sweet – but not lumpy – but also for espresso enthusiasts and coffee lovers alike. drip can be enjoyed.
Land
Sumatra, Indonesia
Grilled meat
Medium morning
Note
Cocoa, citrus, spices
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