KOLUMBIEN ARGELIA SUGARCANE DECAF KOFFEINFREI

Who says decaffeinated coffee has to taste boring? Our Argelia from Colombia is a lovely counterexample. Roasted as a modern filter coffee, it brings pleasant acidity, fresh citrus notes, and plenty of flavor to the cup.

This coffee comes from the municipality of Argelia in southwestern Colombia’s Departamento del Cauca. The coffee plants grow on the region’s steep mountain slopes at elevations of 1,700 to 2,000 meters.

What makes this coffee special is the so-called sugarcane method used to remove its caffeine. It uses ethyl acetate, a naturally occurring solvent made from acetic acid and ethanol. Both starting ingredients are obtained from fermented sugarcane. The ethyl acetate binds to the caffeine and helps extract it from the green coffee beans.

First, the beans are treated with steam to open their pores. They are then brought into contact with water and ethyl acetate. This process is repeated several times until at least 97 percent of the original caffeine has been removed. Finally, the beans are treated with steam again to remove any solvent residue, then gently dried.

The great thing about this method is that it preserves most of the coffee’s natural aromas. And you can taste it: the aroma brings caramel, herbs, and walnut. On the palate come juicy mandarin, orange juice, and honey. Lemon, dark chocolate, and vanilla make for a lovely finish.

A modern filter coffee for any time of day when you want to go without caffeine but still enjoy a truly delicious cup.