Decaf Huila E.A., Colombia

TASTING NOTES

graham, apple, brown spice, nougat, malt

TASTING NOTES

graham, apple, brown spice, nougat, malt

COFFEE BACKGROUND

Colombia is known for producing some of the most delicious coffee in the world, and its decaf offerings are no exception. But the simple term “Colombian coffee” refers to a huge variety of flavor profiles. Many of the country’s 20 coffee-growing departments primarily consist of small, family-run farms. Microclimates and altitude also have a role in influencing the unique regional flavors.

The Huila region is located in south-central Colombia. Huila is divided by the Magdalena River, which runs through the Cordillera Mountains. Coffee farms are located on western- and eastern- facing slopes of the mountain ranges at extremely high altitudes. As a result, coffee from the Huila region typically features a complex acidity.

Offerings such as this one are custom decaffeinated using ethyl acetate (E.A.), a solvent derived from sugarcane as it is being processed for molasses. For this reason, the coffee is known as Decaf De Caña, or “sugarcane decaf.” The green, unroasted coffee is first steamed to open the beans’ pores, allowing them to absorb the solution. They are then placed in a bath of water and E.A. This naturally draws out the caffeine without using excessive heat or high pressure, which would significantly affect taste quality. Once caffeine has been removed, the green coffee is washed thoroughly to remove any remaining E.A. When the process is complete, the beans contain just 0.01 to 0.03% caffeine.

Decaf Huila delivers the sweetness of nougat and graham, without the jolt of caffeine. The cup is balanced with pleasant notes of baked apple.

We’re proud to say that Decaf Huila E.A. earned an excellent 92-point review from expert tasters at Coffee Review. From a blind assessment, Kenneth Davids writes that this coffee was “quietly rich, layered. Cashew, minty orange, carnation, apple, nougat in aroma and cup. Crisply sweet in structure, lightly syrupy in mouthfeel. Complex, cleanly light-footed finish. …A classically complete Colombia profile with a particularly long, ringing finish alive with nuance.”

The Decaf Huila E.A. from Blueprint Coffee offers a refined look at the potential of decaffeinated offerings from Colombia · Huila. By utilizing the Ethyl Acetate (E.A.) method, this coffee preserves the inherent character of the region while removing caffeine through a process often derived from fermented sugarcane. Understanding the nuances of processing methods is essential for appreciating how such techniques influence the final cup, which in this instance presents a comforting profile of graham, apple, brown spice, nougat, and malt.

While decaffeinated coffees are sometimes overlooked, this selection highlights the depth achievable through careful sourcing and processing. For those looking to better articulate these specific tasting notes, referencing a flavor wheel can be a helpful tool to identify the subtle interplay between the sweet, malty base and the crisp apple acidity. This lot serves as a testament to the quality standards maintained by Blueprint Coffee in their pursuit of accessible, high-quality decaf options.