Decaf: Villatoro – Guatemala

SWISS WATER PROCESS DECAF

From Swiss Water:

“Swiss Water® Process uses the elements of water, temperature and time to create some of the most intriguing decaf coffee. First, we start with small batches of amazing coffee and green coffee extract. Then we add local water and a dash of loving attention by monitoring time and temperature until the coffee is 99.9% caffeine free. See how it all happens in four sort-of-simple steps.

“When beans arrive at our facility, they have been shipped to us from the finest growing regions around the world. Cleaned and hydrated with pure, local water to prepare them for caffeine removal, these beans are beginning their journey to becoming amazing decaf coffee.

“Our internally developed Green Coffee Extract (GCE) is introduced to the beans and caffeine removal begins. Caffeine ventures out on its own, away from the coffee beans into the GCE until the ratio of soluble compounds in the GCE to the compounds in the coffee reach the point of equilibrium. Caffeine and GCE flow continuously through our proprietary carbon filters until all the caffeine is trapped and separated from the GCE. Then the GCE is refreshed so that it can be used again and again to remove more caffeine.

“For the next 10 hours, our team continuously monitors the process and caffeine levels in each batch we are decaffeinating. We monitor time, gauge temperature controls, and check the levels on the GCE flow. The result of all this loving attention to detail is worth it — 99.9% caffeine-free coffee.

“Finally, the decaffeinated green beans are shipped to the roasters and the specialty coffee brands we work with, so that the beans can be turned into something special. We’re privileged to be one small stop on the amazing journey that brings coffee from unique places of origin to your cup.”