The Decaf Project: A Worldwide Tasting Experience – CoffeeTalk

The Decaf Project is a global initiative led by Square Mile Coffee Roasters, aimed at exploring the world of decaffeinated coffee. This event is not just about drinking coffee; it’s about understanding the intricate processes behind decaffeination and experiencing the diverse flavors they yield. The project is more than just a tasting event; it’s a global experiment in the realm of coffee, involving a vast number of participants worldwide.

One of the significant hurdles of this project was sourcing the raw coffee. Square Mile Coffee Roasters partnered with Caravela, an importer/exporter, to procure a staggering 16 tonnes of coffee. This bulk was then divided into four parcels: one parcel remained as caffeinated and unprocessed coffee, while the other three were sent to different decaffeination companies for processing.

The Decaf Project doesn’t just want you to taste decaf coffee; it aims to educate participants about the processes involved in decaffeination. To achieve this, three leading decaffeination techniques were selected, each handled by a different company. The first method involves the carbonic natural CO2 process, executed by CR3 in Germany. This technique uses carbon dioxide to extract caffeine from the coffee beans, a method known for preserving the flavor integrity of the coffee.

The second method uses ethyl acetate, managed by Coffein Compagnie, also based in Germany. Ethyl acetate is a naturally occurring compound found in fruits, making it a somewhat more organic option within the decaffeination sphere. The final parcel was sent to Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee in Canada, where it underwent the Swiss Water Process.

After decaffeination, the parcels were reassembled and redistributed to various roasters around the globe. By involving multiple companies, the project ensures greater reach and variety, allowing more people to participate easily.

Square Mile Coffee Roasters learned an invaluable lesson from organizing The World’s Largest Coffee Tasting a few years ago: centralizing the roasting process with one company was overwhelming and not enjoyable. This year, they avoided this pitfall by involving about 50 different roasters, making it easier for participants to obtain their tasting kits and reducing logistical stress.

A key component of The Decaf Project is its educational ambition. To facilitate this, the team was granted unprecedented access to the decaffeination facilities of each participating company. The result? A series of videos detailing each method’s process, set to be released over consecutive weeks.

In addition to the educational videos, participants will also have the opportunity to join a guided tasting session. This session, hosted by Square Mile Coffee Roasters, will walk participants through the tasting process, highlighting the unique characteristics of each decaffeinated coffee. While the main tasting event is a live-streamed session on December 15th, 2023, at 3:00 pm UK time, the guided tasting video will remain available indefinitely.

The Decaf Project represents a monumental effort to demystify decaffeinated coffee and broaden its appreciation. Whether you’re a seasoned coffee aficionado or new to the world of decaf, this project is an unparalleled opportunity to enhance your knowledge and enjoy some exceptional coffee.