Colombia Popayan Decaf - Espresso

Colombia – Popayan Decaf 

This washed Decaf coffee comes from the Cauca region of Colmbia by way of our import parter Cofinet. 

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• Producers:

Popayán is in the department of Cauca at 1.700 m.a.s.l.

The so-called Meseta de Popayan is sheltered by the Andes Mountain range which helps generate homogeneous climatic and altitudinal characteristics. The result is a balanced cup profile with floral and caramel notes. CofiNet collaborate with approximately 65 growers who contribute to this program and with whom they have built long-term relationships.

This program also encourages farmers to focus on quality and based on quality assessment we provide up to 20% premiums above the market price

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• Variety:

Castillo and Caturra mix:

• Caturra

This variety originates from Minas Gerais in Brazil. It was a natural mutation of Red Bourbon, Caturra is favoured as it is a high yielding plant (more cherries per tree) and is more resistant to plant diseases than that of Bourbon.

• Castillo

Castillo and its sub cultivars are higher yield, resistance to leaf rust and other diseases common in Latin America. The cherries of Castillo plants are also slightly larger and display more resistance to pests and insects such as the coffee borer beetle (broca) Castillo is a ‘dwarfed’ tree that can be planted in high density (tighter groups), meaning a farmer can increase their yields per hectare.

• Colombia

A variety obtained by crossing Caturra and the Timor Hybrid, obtained by Cenicafe. It is highly productive and resistant to coffee rust. First released in 1982. Unlike Catimor, this variety is a compound variety, a result of many progenies.

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• Process:

All specialty coffees are hand picked, careful attention is paid to collect only the ripest cherries, The coffee is floated and sorted before being pulped and washed to remove all the cherry and mucilage. The parchment is then placed on patios to dry over the course of 20+ days.

 After the first washed process, the milled coffee is delivered to DesCafecol in Manizales where they use the sugar cane process to decaffeinate the coffee.

Ethyl acetate is a natural by product created in the production of sugar cane refining. The green beans are put into a steam chamber where the silver skin is removed from the bean. After this, the beans are submerged in spring water and as soon the coffee is saturated with water it is sent to the extractors where the beans have direct contact with sugar cane ethyl acetate for 8 hours which dissolves the caffeine content. Then the decaffeinated coffee is dried in a chamber to reach the same moisture content that it had prior to the process.

The ethyl acetate cane be re-used a number of times before it is sent on for refinement and the caffeine is then dried and sold to other industries such as pharmaceuticals and energy drinks manufacturers.  

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• Region: Popayan, Cauca region
• Producer: Small Holder Farmers
• Farm: Popayan reserve
• Importer: CofiNet
• Price (green ex shipping): £7.90 Per Kg
• Variety: Caturra, Castillo, Colombia
• Soil: Volcanic Ash (high nutrient rich)
• Process: Sugar Cane Decaf/Washed Process
• Altitude: 1700 – 2000 masl
• Annual Rainfall: 1700-2070mm

• Tasting: Smooth, Sweet, Medium Acidity
• Flavours like: Caramel, nutmeg, mandarin