Colombia Sugarcane (EA) Decaf

Decaffeinated green coffee behaves differently from caffeinated green in the roaster. The EA sugarcane process alters the bean structure slightly, making decaf greens more porous and prone to faster surface development. Use a lower charge temperature than you would for a comparable caffeinated Colombian green, reduce airflow slightly in the drying phase, and watch development carefully — decaf beans can tip or scorch more easily at high temperatures. First crack on decaf tends to be quieter and less defined than caffeinated coffee.

Dark roast is not recommended for this lot. The delicate body and bright citric acidity that scored 8.00 at SCA cupping are the defining qualities of this decaf green. Pushing past medium-dark development reduces the cup to roast-forward character and sacrifices the origin complexity that makes this lot exceptional.

Ethyl acetate (EA) sugarcane decaffeination is a natural-solvent process that uses ethyl acetate derived from the fermentation of Colombian sugarcane molasses. Because the EA is produced from a natural agricultural byproduct rather than synthesised from petrochemicals, the process is widely regarded as one of the most natural and coffee-friendly decaffeination methods available. The green beans are steamed to open their pores, then washed repeatedly with the EA solution, which bonds selectively with caffeine molecules and draws them out of the bean. The beans are then steamed again to remove any residual EA, and dried.

The key advantage of the EA sugarcane method over Swiss Water or CO2 decaffeination is flavour retention. The EA process is highly selective for caffeine and leaves the majority of the bean's aromatic compounds and sugars intact. This is why EA sugarcane decaf consistently outperforms other decaffeination methods at specialty cupping — and why this Manizales Excelso lot scored SCA 84.75, placing it firmly in the excellent tier of specialty classification.

Colombia is the natural home of EA sugarcane decaffeination because both the sugarcane and the coffee are produced domestically, making it an integrated and traceable process within the Colombian coffee supply chain. The Manizales origin — part of the Eje Cafetero or Coffee Axis region of Colombia — produces Excelso grade Arabica at 1,500 to 1,700 metres above sea level, providing a clean, well-structured green coffee base that responds exceptionally well to the EA process without losing cup identity.

This lot is sourced from multiple farms across the Manizales area of the Caldas department in Colombia's Eje Cafetero, the historic coffee heartland of the country. Grown at 1,500 to 1,700 metres above sea level and graded Excelso — Colombia's standard specialty export screen size — the base green coffee was selected for its clean cup character and structural suitability for the EA decaffeination process before decaffeination was applied.

The cupping was conducted on 24 September 2025 by certified SCA professional Fredy Alvarez at The Guane Coffee Lab in Colombia. Five cups were tasted across the sample and the lot received a final score of SCA 84.75 with perfect 10s for uniformity, sweetness, and clean cup. Flavor at 8.00, acidity at 8.00, balance at 8.00, and overall impression at 8.00 — scores that are exceptional for a decaffeinated lot and confirm that the EA sugarcane process has preserved the cup character of this Manizales Excelso without compromise.

For roasteries seeking a specialty decaf green coffee that performs at single origin level, this is one of the most verifiably high-quality decaf lots available in Canada. For home roasters exploring decaf green coffee for the first time, the EA sugarcane process and the clean, structured Manizales base make this an accessible and rewarding starting point.

What is EA sugarcane decaffeination and is it natural?

Ethyl acetate (EA) sugarcane decaffeination uses ethyl acetate produced from the fermentation of Colombian sugarcane molasses — a natural agricultural byproduct — rather than petrochemical synthesis. The EA solution is used to selectively extract caffeine from the green bean while leaving the majority of aromatic compounds and sugars intact. After decaffeination the beans are steamed to remove residual EA and dried. Because the EA solvent is derived from sugarcane rather than a synthetic source, this method is widely accepted in the specialty coffee industry as a natural decaffeination process.

How does EA sugarcane decaf compare to Swiss Water decaf?

Swiss Water Process uses water and activated carbon filters to remove caffeine without chemical solvents, making it certified organic and popular in the natural food market. EA sugarcane uses a natural solvent and is highly selective for caffeine, which generally results in better flavour retention and higher cup scores at specialty cupping. This lot scored SCA 84.75 — a score that would be exceptional for any green coffee and is particularly notable for a decaf lot. Swiss Water decaf rarely scores above 82 at specialty cupping. EA sugarcane is the preferred method for specialty roasters who prioritise cup quality in their decaf program.

How do I roast decaf green coffee differently from regular green coffee?

Decaf green coffee is more porous than caffeinated green because the decaffeination process opens the bean structure. This means decaf absorbs heat faster and develops more quickly in the roaster. Use a lower charge temperature than you would for a comparable caffeinated Colombian green, keep airflow moderate during drying, and watch development time carefully. First crack on decaf is often quieter and less defined — rely on temperature and time rather than sound alone. Drop earlier than you think necessary on your first roast and adjust from there.

How should I store decaf green coffee?

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light and moisture. At 11.80% moisture this lot is within the stable storage range. Decaf green coffee is generally less shelf-stable than caffeinated green due to the structural changes from decaffeination. We ship all our green coffee in 9 layer hermetic Ecotact bags to preserve moisture content and the aromatic character of this lot between roasting sessions.

Is this available for wholesale?

Yes. Colombia EA Sugarcane Decaf is available for wholesale supply to roasteries, cafes, and commercial buyers across Canada. Contact us directly at hello@unitedbeans.ca for volume pricing, recurring supply arrangements, and availability on larger quantities.