Colombian Caicedo (Regular and Decaf)

Double the coffee, double the flavor, double the roasting fun! Today I'm reviewing 2 different versions of the same coffee: Caicedo, regular and decaf. What's exciting about this opportunity is it's my first time being able to compare side by side a regular coffee with its decaf counterpart.

Pictured above is the regular and decaf Caicedo coffee. The regular is on the left and the decaf on the right. Both are roasted to the same exact level with the same machine and profile, yet there's a distinct difference in color.

The reason the roasted decaf is so much darker is because it starts out that way. The process of decaffeination requires soaking the beans, which automatically oxidizes the beans. Sometimes it's only water, like a Swiss Water or Mountain Water Process. Other times, there are additives involved, such as Methylene Chloride or Ethyl Acetate (derived from fermented sugarcane.) Personally, I'm not a fan of MC decaf, so I avoid purchasing it. I've worked with Swiss Water Process plenty of times, but Caicedo decaf is my first time working with Sugarcane Process.

This is a washed-process coffee from Colombia, purchased direct from origin through Those Coffee People. Caicedo, Antioquia, is a small town in the mountainous region of Colombia’s Antioquia state. Established in 1872 this town is known for its picturesque landscapes, traditional Colombian architecture, and warm community culture. The town sits nestled amidst lush coffee farms, deep green valleys, and misty mountains, offering breathtaking scenery typical of the Andes.

Historically, Caicedo has been a part of the coffee-growing heartland of Colombia, with coffee cultivation playing a vital role in the local economy and way of life. Due to its mountainous terrain, agriculture has always been challenging yet rewarding, and residents have developed a resilient, community-oriented spirit. Coffee farms here often focus on small, artisanal production, with many farmers practicing traditional methods passed down through generations.

Last summer, I reached out to Those Coffee People asking about a good solid everyday coffee. Over the years, I've only purchased the specialty offerings like Red Bomb and Black Honey Process. The problem was these super fruity coffees are quickly forgotten about as soon as the weather cools down slightly. I knew I was going to need something that could be adjusted for seasonal offerings. Their recommendation: Caicedo!

This coffee is flexible in handling lighter and darker roasts. In the summer, I will pull it right as the first crack is beginning to subside. In the winter, I let it roll about 2 more minutes.

Here's a quick flavor snapshot as a summertime roast:

• Moderate, but pleasant acidity.

• Tropical fruit, but not overwhelming.

• Brown sugar sweetness

• Smooth body

• Excellent with milk

• Great hot or iced.

• Decent as espresso

Here's a quick flavor snapshot as a wintertime roast:

• Lower acidity.

• Dried fruit, like cranberry and cherry.

• Molasses sweetness

• Smoother body than the lighter roast

• Excellent with milk

• Great hot, iced, or espresso

Best for: Year-round hot coffee drinkers!

I also prepared my samples as espresso and cold brew. Here are my findings for both regular and decaf.

• Espresso- This coffee makes a good summertime espresso!

  • I think the wintertime roast works better as espresso, but you can dial it in with the summertime roast as well.

  • There are notes of chocolate that aren't as prominent in regular hot coffee.

  • The acidity translates well as espresso. Usually, any kind of acidity at all will burn like battery acid, but this coffee just ends up being bright and sunshiney.

• Cold brew- It reminds me of my Red Bomb cold brew, but more mild.

  • If you've had my Colombian Anaerobic process coffee known as Red Bomb, you understand the intensity of flavors behind it.

  • Caicedo as a cold brew has a lot of those characteristics of chocolate, fruit and nuttiness, but overall more mild.

Conclusion

When I brought this coffee on as a regular offering last summer, I was delighted! When I brought on the decaf version of this coffee earlier this winter, I was even more delighted!

Whether you want full caffeine or none at all, Caicedo delivers the same core experience: balanced, versatile, and easy to enjoy year-round. If you’re looking for a dependable daily coffee, this is it!

You can order a bag of these delicious coffees here: https://www.pawlingcoffeeroaster.net/product-page/caicedo For regular.

https://www.pawlingcoffeeroaster.net/product-page/decaf For decaf.