Colombia Viejo Caldas EA Decaf 2024

Colombian Decaf Coffee

This fruity, nutty, chocolaty decaf was sourced from smallholders across Caldas, Quindío, Risaralda, which collectively was known as El Viejo Caldas. This lot was decaffeinated in Colombia using ethyl acetate - an organic compound derived from plants - to remove 97% of the caffeine from coffee beans.

Ethyl Acetate (EA) Decaf Process

Ethyl Acetate is readily available in Colombia, and its application to the coffee industry was a game-changer. In this direct solvent-based process, low-pressure steam opens the pores of the coffee beans. Then the beans are soaked in a solution of water and ethyl acetate. The solvent binds to the salts of chlorogenic acids and allows the removal of caffeine. After flushing the beans with ethyl acetate repeatedly, up to 97% of the caffeine is extracted. Because ethyl acetate comes from sugarcane and is an organic compound that can effectively remove caffeine, the coffee’s flavor attributes are not extracted. Learn more about decaf coffee beans here.

Colombian Coffee

Over half a million families dedicate their livelihoods to producing unroasted Colombia green coffee on small farms that dot the country’s volcanic mountain ranges. As the world’s third-largest producing country, the volume, quality, and variety that comes out of Colombia year-round is staggering. Coffee from Colombia is never dull, and with 16 coffee-producing regions along three mountain ranges and two harvests each year, Colombia always has fresh coffee on hand. Read more in our Colombian Coffee Origin Report.