Description

Welcome to a new frontier in decaffeinated coffee that showcases Ethiopia's rich coffee heritage. As coffee's birthplace and Africa's largest producer, Ethiopia stands as the world's fifth-largest exporter of Arabica coffee, contributing nearly 5% to global production. The coffee industry forms the backbone of Ethiopia's economy, generating 30-35% of the country's export earnings and supporting 25% of the population.

This unique offering originates from Western Ethiopia's celebrated coffee regions of Kafa and Limu, where coffee still grows wild in forest reserves. These areas represent some of coffee's original territory, highlighting Ethiopia's unparalleled genetic diversity of coffee varieties. The farms producing this coffee, run by Dehab Mesfin near the Bonga forest and the Senna Katta Mountain farm in Limu's Boter forest reserve, maintain traditional cultivation methods that are essentially organic by default.

The careful composition – two-thirds natural processed and one-third washed – creates a foundation designed specifically for successful decaffeination. Ethiopian coffee farmers typically avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides, maintaining soil fertility through traditional mulching and manuring techniques. This approach, combined with high-altitude growing conditions and rich volcanic soils, contributes to Ethiopia's reputation for superior cup quality.

The Swiss Water Process, conducted at their specialized facility in Vancouver, Canada, removes 99.9% of caffeine while preserving the coffee's essential flavor compounds. This chemical-free method uses water, temperature, time, and proprietary carbon filters to gently extract caffeine while maintaining the coffee's organic structure. The result is particularly remarkable with Ethiopian coffees, where preserving the delicate floral and fruit notes presents a unique challenge.

In the cup, this coffee defies conventional decaf expectations. The profile opens with pronounced sweetness and remarkable complexity. Light roasts reveal vibrant fruit notes – simmering berries and plum jam at the forefront, with crisp apple adding brightness. A surprising tropical hint of passionfruit introduces an elegant floral dimension. While subtle wheat-like notes typical of decaf appear in the finish, they take a decided backseat to the coffee's distinguished origin characteristics.

Ethiopia's coffee sector faces challenges, including climate change and deforestation, leading to a shift toward higher altitude cultivation above 1,800 meters. However, this adaptation, along with the country's commitment to traditional farming methods, continues to produce exceptional coffees. The sector is experiencing increased investment in quality control and processing improvements, with specialty coffee commanding premium prices in international markets.

This coffee exemplifies both Ethiopian coffee excellence and the potential of careful decaffeination. By choosing it, you're supporting a vital industry that not only provides livelihoods but also contributes to ecosystem sustainability – Ethiopia's coffee forests serve as important carbon sinks and biodiversity reservoirs. Whether you're seeking to eliminate caffeine or simply looking for a remarkable late-day coffee experience, this decaf demonstrates that with careful selection, blending, and processing, decaffeinated coffee can maintain the distinct character of its origin while providing a naturally caffeine-free experience.