El Buho (The Owl) is a washed sugarcane, or Ethyl Acetate, decaf coffee sourced from farmers in the Huila and Tolima regions of Colombia.
History of Coffee in Colombia
As with many coffee origins, it is believed that coffee was first brought to Colombia by priests, arriving, perhaps, within a decade or two after coffee first came to the Americas via the Caribbean in the first half of the 17th century. It was likely a garden crop grown for local consumption and barter for decades. Unlike other coffee regions, we have the story of a priest named Francisco Romero, who could be called the father of commercial coffee cultivation in Colombia. The folkloric tale goes that in the early 1800’s, Father Francisco, hearing confessions in the northeastern town of Salazar de la Palmas, assigned planting coffee to his parishioners as penance for their sins. The Archbishop of Colombia heard about this and ordered all priests to adopt the practice. Commercial production of coffee expanded quickly, moving into regions where the growing conditions were ideal.
The Process
Ethyl Acetate decaffeination - commonly called the 'sugarcane' method - is a process which combines high mountain spring water and Ethyl Acetate (EA) of natural origin. EA is present in every coffee cherry in its natural state (as well as in many other fruits and vegetables). The natural EA is obtained from a sugar cane-based process and is, together with spring water, the only other element which comes into contact with the coffee.
First, the beans are steamed to open their pores, then they are rinsed with Ethyl-Acetate repeatedly to remove the caffeine. They are then dried to 10-12% humidity and sealed with a natural wax which has a neutral profile which does not affect the flavour or aroma of the coffee.
This water-EA process allows for gentle extraction of the caffeine from the bean, avoiding excessive heat or pressure, and maintaining the natural structure and all characteristics of the coffee bean.
I have been buying this coffee for quite a long time.
The flavour is fantastic.
I always look forward to drinking this coffee.
It is difficult to find a good decaffeinated coffee, but Django is supplying a brilliant one.
S
Steph
Updated Review of El Buho - Better than Mazateca
I wanted to update my review of this bean. I originally made the comment that it wasn’t for me, I’ve since modified my way of brewing this bean and it’s made a huge difference. I have no hesitation in stating this bean makes a delightful Cortado, or Flat white. Brewed as espresso, but at a lower temperature - this bean works really well with milk. Will definitely buy this bean again.
S
Stephen Nelson
Better than Mazateca
Still struggling to find a decaf bean that works well as a Cortado or Flat white. This Colombian El Buho has a better flavour than the previous decaf offer Mazateca, but taste is so subjective and it totally depends upon the way the bean is used and the type of drink it best suits. I feel like whatever I say I like, you'll probably taste the same thing and have an entirely different opinion, the other reviews on the bean totally reflect this. For me, the search for a decaf bean continues, this one doesn't really do it for me.
J
Jonathan M-T
Excellent all rounder
I actually bought this 6 months ago and am glad to see it back at Django. Excellent all rounder coffee that has appealed to everyone I've served it to - to the point that family and friends have chosen it over caffeinated options.
R
Rob
Easily the best decaf I've tasted
I've tried dozens of decaf coffees over the years and they've all been pretty horrible. This one however is amazing. I would've had no idea it was decaf. Tried in V60, Clever and Moka Pot.
