Infused coffee is one of the most talked-about and surprising trends in specialty coffee today. Simply put, infusion is an advanced processing method that enhances a coffee's flavors by soaking or fermenting the beans with aromatic ingredients or natural fruit in a controlled environment. The result is an infused coffee bursting with aroma and unconventional flavors that go beyond the usual natural notes. In this guide, we dive into infused coffees to reveal what makes them so bold and how they've changed the way coffee lovers taste coffee around the world.
What Is Infused Coffee?
Infused coffee is specialty coffee that has gone through an innovative, advanced processing method designed to give the beans additional, deep flavors and notes that don't naturally appear in the original variety. Technically, "infusion" refers to soaking or co-fermentation during processing: natural ingredients such as dried fruit, spices or aromatic herbs are added to fermentation tanks with the coffee cherries, allowing the beans to absorb those aromatic compounds and intensify the coffee's flavor profile.
What Is Infusion Processing?
Infusion processing is one of the specialty coffee processing methods: an innovative fermentation carried out at the farm, where coffee is placed in sealed tanks with natural additions such as fruit, flowers or spices. During this time, the beans absorb these external flavors, which blend with their natural taste characteristics, producing an infused coffee with exceptional, unusual flavors while keeping the coffee's body.
What Are Infused Coffees?
Infused coffees are beans that have technically gone through co-fermentation, enhancing their flavor characteristics during processing. When you look for an infused coffee, you're looking for an experience beyond the usual natural notes, with intense fruity or aromatic flavors created as the beans absorb added ingredients in a controlled fermentation environment.
Whether you prefer infused coffee as espresso or pour-over, choosing a high-quality infused coffee depends mainly on the precision of its processing. At Microlot, we carefully select a range of the best infused coffees that skillfully balance the authenticity of specialty coffee with creative flavors, so you get an exceptional cup every time. Discover the best infused coffee flavors.
Infused vs. Anaerobic Processing
Anaerobic processing focuses on controlling the fermentation environment and keeping oxygen out to change the chemical reactions. Infusion processing often takes place in an anaerobic environment too, but it adds co-fermentation with natural ingredients (fruit, spices) to enhance the flavor profile. The key difference: anaerobic processing highlights the bean's inherent characteristics, while infusion adds external flavors that blend into the coffee's structure.
Infused vs. Natural Processing
Natural processing dries the coffee cherries whole, relying entirely on the sugars inside the fruit. Infused coffee borrows the complexity of natural processing but intervenes by adding external ingredients (co-fermentation), so an infused coffee carries sharper, clearer notes than a traditional natural, which tends to be more delicate and smooth.
Is Infused Coffee Natural?
This question comes up often because of infused coffee's bold flavors. Infused coffees are typically made with natural ingredients rather than artificial flavorings: the secret lies in co-fermentation with natural materials such as fruit peels and herbs. Their intense flavors are the result of natural chemical reactions during fermentation, making them a high-quality choice.
Pros and Cons of Infusion Processing
- Pros: infused coffees offer an exceptional, fun experience, with bold, intense flavors (such as tropical fruit) that traditional processing may not deliver, making them a great choice for anyone looking for a lively cup.
- Cons: the processing can mask the terroir notes that distinguish a farm's region, making some coffees taste similar, and classic coffee lovers may find them too intense or unfamiliar.
What Do Infused Coffees Taste Like?
Infused coffee notes are concentrated, clear and direct. It's easy to recognize tropical fruit (such as pineapple, mango and berries), along with floral or spiced aromas, depending on the co-fermentation method used.
What's the Best Way to Brew Infused Coffee?
Infused coffee is very versatile. Pour-over tools such as V60 highlight its flavors with exceptional clarity, while espresso delivers a rich, intense experience that keeps its notes bold and clear, even with milk. Learn more about specialty coffee brewing methods.
Brewing Recipes for Infused Coffees
For the best results, start with a basic V60 recipe: 15 g of coffee with 250 ml of water at 90–92°C. Treat it as a starting point; you can always adjust the grind to find the best flavor balance and enjoy the unique character of each infused coffee.
Now that you know the details of infusion processing and its amazing notes, it's time to move from reading to tasting. Explore our exclusive selection of infused coffees at Microlot, carefully chosen from the finest beans processed with precision to give you an exceptional cup every time. Looking for value? See our guide to infused coffee deals.