Honey Kiss Coffee Bean Flavor: Rich and Layered Berry Notes

FrontStreet Coffee: An Introduction to Honey Kiss Coffee

NINETY PLUS, translated literally as 90+, means "above 90 points." Friends outside the industry may not realize what that implies: for coffee enthusiasts, a coffee scoring above 90 is close to perfection. Whether on cupping scores or CoffeeReview (Note 1) ratings, it is an honor hard earned. Some might think a 90+ score is no big deal, but once they understand the rules of the cupping system they change their mind: under a point-deduction system with more than ten strict criteria, holding a 90 is no easier than writing ten full-mark essays and still scoring above 90 in the end.

The "90+" here does not refer to every coffee that scores above 90 points in reviews. It refers to a unique flavor series of premium coffees from Ninety Plus Coffee, an American specialty coffee trader. NINETY PLUS's pursuit of ultimate flavor is truly admirable: in only five or six years since its founding, it has made coffee professionals worldwide recognize the name.

Coffee Details: Honey Kiss NEKISSE

Country: Ethiopia

Region: WELLEGE & SIDAMO

Grade: N2L12

Processing Method: Natural

Growing Environment: Altitude 1200-1700 meters

Producer/Company: Ninety Plus (USA)

Flavor Profile: Spicy dry aroma with rich berry flavors, cocoa, peach, and quality wine-like notes. Rich layers with soft acidity—one of the unforgettable 90+ varieties.

Knowledge Point

NINETY PLUS 90+ coffee beans adopt a completely different naming approach from regular specialty beans.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If Honey Kiss's combination of berry, cocoa, and peach appeals to you, the FrontStreet natural Red Cherry Yirgacheffe is an excellent domestic alternative in the same natural-processed, medium-light style. Only fully ripe, defect-free cherries are selected, then sun-dried whole on raised beds—turned every 2-3 hours in the early days to prevent uneven fermentation—for three to five weeks before machine hulling and repeated hand sorting. The result is a clean, luminous natural with citrus-like acidity, berry juiciness, honeyed sweetness, and a creamy body: peach, cocoa, honey, and lemon.

For an even richer, more ferment-forward cup, the FrontStreet natural Huakui from the Guji Hambella area of Sidamo dries its cherries for 21 days on raised beds with hand sorting every three to five days. Roasted medium-light, it delivers a light fermented wine aroma, florals, citrus, and mango, with honeyed sweetness, a cocoa undertone, and a thick, long-finishing body—the same layered fruit complexity that makes 90+ naturals famous, at a friendlier price.