THE FARM: This coffee comes from Mujeres Caficultoras del Cauca the Association of Women Coffee Growers of Cauca, (Asociación de Mujeres Caficultoras del Cauca), or AMUCC, as they are also referred to. AMUCC are a non profit organization, with 143 women across 246 hectares between them, based in the south of Colombia, in Popoyan, Cauca. Formed in 2012 through a collaboration between the FNC and the University of Cauca the project basically focuses on consolidating a Centre for research, promotion and social innovation to promote regional development, implement an educational strategy, and propose socio-territorial strategies for the construction of social and solidarity economies in the Cauca, and design agroecological systems in accordance with regional diversity.

Located in a biological Conservation Corridor, Valle del Cauca lies between the National Park of Tatama and Serrania de los Paraguas (loosely translated, ‘mountains of the umbrellas’), this region was identified by Conservation International as one of the two main conservation corridors in Colombia. Farmers in this region are keenly aware of the importance of the preservation of natural resources, water management and friendly environmental practices.

This coffee was decaffeinated using an organic water process, where the green coffee is pre-soaked in water to expand the beans for caffeine extraction. The hydrated green coffee is then introduced to a unique solution of concentrated coffee solubles that draw out the caffeine while minimizing the loss of flavor compounds. Once the caffeine has been removed the green coffee is re-dried and re-bagged for transport, and the extract solution is filtered of its caffeine and recycled to be used again. This is the ideal way to remove the caffeine without losing any of the flavor and is completely natural with no harsh chemicals.

OUR ROAST: The dry ground coffee has a fragrance of raw cane sugars, with pleasant roast bittersweetness, and some tree nut, savory hints. Sweetness is intensified in the wet aroma, giving off a smell of milk chocolate and balanced sweetness. Our deep roast has a nice balance of core coffee flavors that opens up to muted accents of Dutch cocoa powder, Brazil nut, chocolate-covered raisin, and moderate acidity level that has a citrus aspect to it. With this complexity, you’ll never know you’re drinking a decaf!

*** All prices are per pound ***