SLEEP WELL BEAST
Colombia - El Carmen, Washed Sugarcane Decaf (Omni)
Tastes like Raisin, Vanilla, Maple Syrup, Cherry
Origin
Colombia
Region
Huila
Altitude
1800 masl
Producer
El Carmen Association
Variety
Caturra, Castillo & Colombia
Process
Washed, Sugarcane Decaf
El Carmen
El Carmen is a small town nestled on the foot of the steep Andean ridges in the south of Huila. Mauricio Benavidez leads a group of local farmers that decided to jointly sell their coffee by forming the El Carmen Association. We first started buying their coffee in 2019 through our friends at Raw Material. While touring the Acevedo region in 2024, we visited Mauricio in the town and celebrated our 5 year partnership.
The Association
The Association consists of 60 farmers that have plots of 2-5 hectares, a very typical finca size in Colombia. Before the association, farmers were frustrated with low market prices. Given their elevation (up to 1800 masl), excellent terroir and mild weather, Mauricio knew the coffee was high grade. He went to Bogota in 2017 and met with Miguel from Raw Material. They helped them set up a cupping lab in the town to grade lots, separate them and sell them at quality premiums. When we cupped the coffees two years later, we were impressed by its clean, sweet profile, both in the regular and decaf version.
Processing
Most farmers in the association grow Caturra, Castillo & Colombia. The cherry is pulped, washed and dried traditionally and then sent to a Colombia factory for decaffeination. Sugarcane decaffeination uses an organic compound derived from the fermentation of sugarcane (ethyl acetate) to wash out caffeine from green coffee beans. The method is very effective at removing caffeine molecules without affecting the other 1000+ aromatic compounds significantly. As sugarcane is abundantly available in Colombia, the decaffeination is done locally, leaving more economic value at origin.
Recipe double espresso
In 19G
Out 40G
Time 26 Sec
Water : Use medium soft water (100-150ppm) at 93° C