Co-Fermented, Infused or Flavoured? Where Coffee Draws the Line

Spotted: the coffee world, arguing in the comments again. This time over one question: when does pushing flavour become bending the rules? Grab a cup, darling. This one has teeth.

Short answer: The three words describe three different moments. Co-fermented means fruit or other ingredients went into the tank while the coffee fermented at the farm. Infused usually means flavour was added to the green beans after processing. Flavoured means syrup or oil was added to roasted beans. The fight is about whether drinkers are told which one they’re getting.

• Co-fermented: Added during fermentation, at the farm
• Infused: Added to green coffee, after processing
• Flavoured: Added to roasted coffee, at the roaster
• The real issue: Whether anyone tells you

Why people are angry

Nobody is furious that a coffee tastes like pineapple. They’re furious when a bag says “natural process” and the cup tastes like bubble gum, with no explanation. Competitions have had to write rules about it. Buyers have started asking farms for more detail. The wine world has been having the same argument about yeast, barrels and additives for a very long time, and it hasn’t settled there either.

Where we stand

Drink what you like. A clean washed coffee can be wonderful. A coffee that spent 72 hours in a tank with pineapple can be wonderful too. What we won’t do is hide the method. If fruit went in the tank, the page says so. If we don’t know how a coffee was made, we don’t sell it.

Our Piña Colada is listed as exactly what it is: a Caturra co-fermented with pineapple at the farm, then washed. Read what co-fermented coffee is for the full process.

Questions worth asking any roaster

• What went into the tank? Fruit, yeast, nothing?
• When was it added? During fermentation, or afterwards?
• Who told you? The farm, the importer, or a guess?
• Is it on the bag? If not, why not?

Quick answers

Is co-fermented coffee “fake”?

No. It’s a processing choice. Calling it fake is gatekeeping.

Is flavoured coffee bad?

It’s a different product. The problem is only when it’s sold as something else.

How can I tell what I’m drinking?

Read the process on the bag and ask. A roaster who knows will tell you. One who dodges has told you something too.

Do you sell flavoured coffee?

No. Nothing is added to our beans after roasting.

Read next: What Is Co-Fermented Coffee? · Washed, Natural, Honey: Coffee Processing Explained · Piña Colada Colombia Pour-Over Recipe

You know you love it.
xoxo, The Angry Roaster