Processes for preparing antioxidant-rich compositions, for example from coffee cherries, are disclosed. These processes can involve promptly contacting de-beaned coffee cherries with a preservative coating, and optionally storing under refrigerated conditions, prior to the preparation of an extract or powder. A process for preparing an antioxidant-rich powder, comprising the steps of: providing de-beaned coffee cherries promptly contacting the de-beaned coffee cherries with a coating comprising citric acid and ascorbic acid to product a coated de-beaned coffee cherry and dehydrating the coated de-beaned coffee cherries under substantially oxygen-free conditions.
