Decaf Colombia Sugarcane

MEDIUM ROAST |Milk Chocolate | Brown Sugar | Stone Fruit | Lightly Sweet

Our first sugarcane processed decaf offering. This coffee is so tasty you won't know it's a decaf.  A really nice cup perfect for after dinner and paired with desserts. Distinct milk chocolate tones with hints of stone fruit like cherries and a lightly sweet finish. Also makes a really nice decaf espresso.

Varietal: Caturra Elevation: 1600 - 1800 meters Process: Sugarcane Natural Process

What is the Sugarcane Decaffeinating Process? The Sugarcane Decaf Process, also known as the Ethyl Acetate (EA) or "Natural Decaffeination" process, uses a solution of water and EA which is naturally derived compound to remove caffeine from the green beans while preserving their original flavor profile.

The green coffee beans are gently steamed at low pressure for about 30 minutes to open their pores and swell the beans, making them more permeable. They are then submerged in a solution of water and EA. This compound, derived from fermenting sugarcane molasses, acts as a solvent that specifically bonds to the caffeine salts within the beans. The solution circulates through the beans, drawing out the caffeine. This step is repeated for approximately 8 to 24 hours 97% of the caffeine is removed.

Once decaffeinated, the beans are steamed again at a high temperature. Since EA has a lower boiling point than water, this step ensures any residual solvent evaporates completely. The beans are then dried back to their original moisture content. Unlike some methods that can leave coffee tasting "flat," the Sugarcane process is praised for maintaining the bean's natural sweetness, acidity, and origin characteristics.The EA used is a plant-based byproduct of the sugar industry, making it an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to synthetic chemical solvents like methylene chloride. Since this decaf process is performed in Colombia, this process reduces the carbon footprint by decaffeinating the beans near their source rather than shipping them to a different country for treatment.