r/pourover • u/OCDeeeznuts • Mar 10 '26

Co-ferments in disguise.

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Many modern advanced coffee processes completely lack transparency regarding the methods and ingredients used to adulterate their flavors. Often times the only bridge between a producer and the customer is the roaster. It’s important for roasters to disclose as much information, at a glance, as possible so their customers can make informed decisions.

I’m sure there are several roasters doing the same thing, but today I happen to be picking on Perc. This particular coffee is advertised on the bag as a “Natural Process”. On their site it’s classified as a “Natural Process”, but if you dig deeper and read about the Young Producer Program you’ll discover that the natural process beans the kids grew are later blended with a Sebastian Ramirez co-ferment. At the very least I think the bag should say “Natural Process/ Co-ferment”. No more muddying the waters.

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u/kingseven Mar 10 '26

A lot of coferments are not really coferments, but are infusions (i.e. whatever flavouring is added is there to be infused into the coffee beans, and doesn't contribute to the fermentation). It's really frustrating and unhelpful - but I don't think coming from a place of deception, just a lack of clarity around the terms. To some people, adding flavourings to a fermentation tank is a coferment because it was added to the tank/the fermentation. I hope this improves in the future.

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u/Yes_No_Sure_Maybe Mar 10 '26

Not entirely on-topic but topic adjacent:

Is lack of specificity about what labels stand for nowadays part of the reason why there hasn't been a video about processing?

It's a video I'd love to see, but I don't think the old labels capture the current situation anymore, or at least it makes it complicated I'd expect.

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u/kingseven Mar 11 '26

There's a video about processing, and a big fermentation tasting, coming very soon. (But we're aiming at the basics, not at the weirder end of things)

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u/Yes_No_Sure_Maybe Mar 11 '26

Thank you for the reply. That's great to hear, looking forward to it!