Sweetdrop - Brazil

The natural process usually involves drying coffee cherries either on patios or raised drying beds in the sun. The cherries are spread out in a thin layer and raked and turned throughout the day to prevent spoiling. Then covered at night or during rainstorms to prevent an increase in moisture content.

The process can take 3-6 weeks. Once dried the outer layer and dried fruit are removed mechanically and then stored before export.

If there is very little access to water this is the most common form of processing. It is common to find naturally processed coffees in places like Ethiopia and Brazil.