Considered the ugly stepsister of the coffee world, decaf has a bad rap – and we get why. Synonymous with nasty chemicals and a weak, soupy flavour, decaf has been marred by a long history of poor roasting, cheap beans, carcinogenic solvents and a horrible taste.
But here at BrewHub, we’re big fans of decaf-done-right. You see, when created with the finest grade single origin beans, roasted carefully using a 100 percent chemical-free process, and packaged in smaller batches to ensure freshness after opening, decaf is a dream – a flavoursome, robust, caffeine-free drop that serious coffee drinkers can enjoy at any hour of the day.
In fact, we so love, and believe in, this sleeping beauty of the coffee world we’ve created a brand new variety of it. Called Mexican Decaf, we’re quietly confident it’s going to knock the socks off even the most fervent caffeine devotee – and win over those still traumatised by a bad decaf experience from the past.
Questions? Yes, we know you have questions!
Is decaf real coffee?
It sure is. Decaf is made with coffee beans, it simply has most of the caffeine removed.
What beans do you use in Mexican Decaf?
We use single origin Arabica beans from Chiapas, Oaxaca and Veracruz in Mexico. These are gold standard beans grown at an altitude of more than 700 MASL and harvested between October and March.
But how is the caffeine removed from the beans?
With great care using the industry-leading Mountain Water Decaffeination Process. Green beans are soaked in pure water from mountain glaciers before being steamed then immersed in water already saturated with coffee flavour elements from a previous batch. As osmosis occurs, the caffeine leaves the beans and is removed by natural carbon filters, retaining the essential coffee flavour elements in the beans.
Is it safe?
You bet. Some decaffeination methods use harsh industrial solvents such
as methylene chloride to remove the caffeine (given you can also find this in paint stripper, you can see why decaf got itself a bad name!). The process we use for decaffeination is natural and 100 percent chemical free, using water as the solvent in the process.
What does it taste like?
Absolutely delicious. Mexican Decaf shines with notes of maple syrup, ripe dates, malt, and subtle blackcurrant and has a well rounded, smooth finish. When compared to regular coffee in blind tastings, it scores very highly – usually as high or higher than many other caffeinated coffees.
Is there any caffeine in this blend?
Just the tiniest amount. The Mountain Water Decaffeination Process removes 99 percent of caffeine from the beans, so we’re talking a miniscule quantity. This means you can enjoy an afternoon hit of your favourite bevy – or more! – without worrying about being kept awake past your bedtime.
What else do I need to know about decaf?
Coffee beans have a different structure once caffeine is removed. They end up more porous, they release oils more quickly and they age faster. For this reason, we recommend buying decaf more regularly and in smaller quantities, rather than stocking up in bulk. And, of course, whole beans are the way to go!
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