Colombia Magdalena - Sugar Cane Decaf (by the kg)

Varietals:	Tabi
Processing:	EA Sugar Cane Decaffeination
Altitude:	1650-2000 metres above sea level
Region:	Gaitania Tolima
Coop:	Cedro Alto
Producer:	Humberto Pecupaque y Alba Zuleta
Grade:	Microlot

Cedro Alto partners with AGPROCEM to segregate lots by profile and channel them to their ideal roasters and give farmers the best price possible, either as single farm microlots or as bespoke regional lots.

Molasses (derived from sugar cane) is fermented to create ethanol, which is then mixed with acetic acid, to create ethyl acetate.

The coffee is first conditioned with water and steam to increase the moisture content and swell the bean so that the caffeine can be extracted. Then the beans are washed with E.A. to dissolve the caffeine, which dissolves the caffeine. Finally, the beans are cleaned with water and steam, and dried until reaching the moisture similar to which they had prior to the process.

This method avoids excessive heat or pressure, which can radically disrupt a green bean's cellular structure.

The big advantage of this process, outside of the flavour profile, is that it was developed and is completed in Colombia, without the extra costs and food miles of shipping the coffee to decaffeination plants in Mexico, Canada or Germany, and the profits stay within the country of origin.