The Natural · A New York City coffee film
The Natural · Natural Process Coffee Film
Watch The Natural move from an intimate coffee-making setting into downtown New York City. Filmed at 11 Broadway Barbershop and around Lower Manhattan, the short pairs Oval’s fruit-forward, light-to-medium roast coffee with a simple single-cup brewing ritual.
The Natural by Oval Coffee Roasters: coffee-making at 11 Broadway Barbershop and street scenes in Lower Manhattan, near The Battery. Duration: about 22 seconds. Published . Poster: Close-up of a single roasted coffee bean held between Christopher Alspach’s thumb and forefinger, showing its brown surface and center crease in Oval Coffee Roasters’ whole-bean coffee imagery.
The NYC launch-film shoot
From the barbershop to the streets of Lower Manhattan
The Natural was filmed during Oval’s April 7, 2025 launch-film shoot. At 11 Broadway Barbershop in Lower Manhattan, the team captured the small details of preparing coffee: hands, beans, an opened pouch, a filter over a mug, and water passing through the grounds.
Inside 11 Broadway Barbershop
Oval co-founder Andrew Itzkowitz gets his hair cut at 11 Broadway Barbershop and is friends with the owner, who welcomed the team to film Christopher Alspach brewing coffee in the shop. That neighborhood connection gave the shoot a personal starting point.
Walking downtown
Just steps from the iconic Charging Bull, often called the Wall Street Bull, on Broadway, the barbershop was the perfect kickoff. After capturing Christopher brewing coffee, the film crew headed out to The Battery to continue filming in Lower Manhattan.
A waterfront-side subway entrance
The outdoor footage includes walking toward a subway entrance near The Battery at Manhattan’s southern tip, close to the waterfront and the hot-dog, roasted-nut, and halal carts. This street-level setting connects the coffee ritual with the city around it.
The wider launch-film shoot also covered Bowling Green Park and station and The Battery; the films use different selections of that shared footage.
Original score
Music by Dr. Jonathan Saraga
Dr. Jonathan Saraga composed an original score for each of Oval’s launch films. The production brief imagined The Natural with a morning mood, pairing attention to coffee fruit and beans with New York City movement. That creative direction describes the film’s tone rather than a claim about the actual time of filming.
Experience the films together on the NYC light roast montage watch page, or explore the individual Bowling Green and Riverside Half Caff films.
About The Natural
The Natural is Oval’s natural-process, light-to-medium roast coffee. Its fruit-forward aroma and character come from the coffee, its processing, roasting, and brewing—not added fruit flavoring, syrup, or extract.
Oval roasts The Natural in New York City. It is available as whole bean coffee and as individually sealed Pour Over Single Serves containing real ground coffee in a built-in filter.
Explore the process in greater depth in Oval’s natural process coffee guide.
Brewing the single serve shown in the film
- 1. Open and attachTear the filter along the marked edge, unfold the paper arms, and secure them over the mug.
- 2. BrewWet the grounds, then add hot water slowly and allow it to drain.
- 3. Refill and finishContinue in stages following the directions on your packet, allow the final pour to drain, then remove the filter.
Choose your Natural coffee format
Whole bean
One 8.82 oz bag to grind for your own brewer.
Shop whole bean →
Eight pour overs
Eight individually sealed servings with built-in filters.
Shop eight pour overs →
Discovery set
One 8.82 oz whole-bean bag and eight pour overs.
Shop discovery set →
100-count case
100 individually sealed pour overs for teams and guests.
Shop 100-count case →Film synopsis
An editorial overview of the coffee and scenes featured in the film.
Battery Park in Lower Manhattan sets the scene for The Natural by Oval Coffee Roasters. The Natural introduces natural process coffee, also called naturally processed coffee, where the coffee is dried with the fruit still on the seed. A Pour Over Single Serve drip bag is opened, placed on a mug, and brewed with hot water. The film connects The Natural to Oval’s Whole Bean Coffee and Pour Over Single Serve formats, highlighting a fruit-forward light-to-medium roast coffee that is naturally expressive without added flavoring.
The Natural questions
What is natural process coffee?
Natural process coffee is dried with the coffee fruit still surrounding the seed before the dried fruit is removed. The process can contribute fruit-forward aroma, perceived sweetness, and body.
Is The Natural flavored coffee?
No. The Natural contains no added fruit flavoring, syrup, or extract. Its fruit-forward character comes from the coffee, its processing, roasting, and brewing.
What roast level is The Natural?
The Natural is a light-to-medium roast developed to preserve its expressive aroma, sweetness, balance, and clean finish.
Is the Pour Over Single Serve instant coffee?
No. It contains real ground coffee in a paper drip filter. Hot water passes through the grounds and drains into the mug.
Where can I buy The Natural?
Shop the Natural Process Coffee collection online or use Oval’s store locator to explore retail availability.
Behind the coffee
New York City coffee roots, a Lower Manhattan film
Oval Coffee Roasters develops and roasts specialty coffee in New York City. Co-Founders Andrew Itzkowitz and Christopher Alspach connect the brand’s New York roots with sourcing, roast development, and everyday coffee experiences.
Learn about the team behind Oval, read independent coverage and company announcements, or explore customer perspectives. The Natural Process guide explains the coffee’s processing attribute; the film offers a view of its place in everyday city life.
