What is the Mountain Water Method of Decaffeination for Decaf Coffee?

If you’ve ever sipped on a cup of decaf coffee and wondered how they pull off the magic of keeping all the delicious flavors while ditching the caffeine, let’s dive into the world of the Mountain Water method. This method is all organic, natural, and chemical-free, ensuring you get to enjoy every drop without the worry of harsh chemical residue. Let’s explore how this eco-friendly process works and what makes it stand out in the decaf coffee scene!

The Heart of the Process: Pure Mountain Water

The Mountain Water decaffeination process was developed by Descamex in Veracruz, Mexico, and it’s as cool as it sounds. They harness the pristine, crystal-clear waters of mountain glaciers to gently extract caffeine while preserving the delicious flavours and aromas of the coffee beans. Unlike those old-school solvent-based methods, the Mountain Water Method is a cleaner and greener way to drink decaf!

How It Works: Step by Step

1. Coffee Reception Tank: The journey begins with green coffee beans being loaded into a reception tank. This initial step takes about two hours, and they typically process a hefty batch of around 5,000 kg of coffee.
2. Maximiser: Next up, the beans go through a preparation phase where they absorb water and soften for about an hour. Think of it as giving them a nice, refreshing soak!
3. Caffeine Extraction: Here’s where the magic happens. The soaked beans are placed in a special chamber where they’re exposed to a caffeine-free water solution that’s saturated with the coffee’s solid flavours. Using flow, pressure, temperature, and vacuum, the caffeine gets extracted while the coffee goodness stays put.
4. Drying: Once the beans are 99.9% caffeine-free, they flow through cylindrical and vertical dryers, where hot air helps to remove excess moisture.
5. Polishing: The beans are then polished to remove any dust particles and ensure they’re looking their best before the final packaging.
6. Final Product: The decaf coffee beans are now stored in burlap bags, waiting to be roasted and brewed into your favourite cup!

Why Choose Mountain Water Decaf?

The Mountain Water method is not just about cutting out caffeine; it’s about keeping the flavour profile of the green beans alive. Unlike some decaf processes that strip away the flavour, this method uses the water’s natural qualities to extract caffeine without sacrificing the beans’ character.

What’s more, the Mountain Water approach is eco-friendly. By reusing the caffeine-free water for subsequent batches, it reduces waste and makes for a sustainable choice.

In a Nutshell

So, if you’re looking for a decaf coffee that’s kind to the planet and bursting with flavour, the Mountain Water method is the way to go. You get all the rich goodness of the bean without the caffeine buzz.