What is 'Sugarcane Decaf'?

If you’ve ever taken a sip of decaf coffee and thought, “Hmm... this doesn’t quite taste like the real thing,” - you're not alone. The good news? Decaf has come a long way, and one process, in particular, is changing the game: Sugarcane Decaf.

Also known as ethyl acetate decaf or natural EA decaf, this method is gaining serious popularity in the specialty coffee world. It’s gentle, eco-friendly, and - most importantly it keeps the coffee tasting like it should.

Here’s what makes the sugarcane decaf process so special:

First, What Exactly Is Sugarcane Decaf?

Despite the name, sugarcane decaf doesn’t mean your coffee tastes like sugar or comes from a sugarcane plant. The term refers to how the caffeine is removed from the beans -  using a naturally-derived compound called ethyl acetate (EA), which is made by fermenting molasses, a by-product of sugarcane.

So instead of using synthetic chemicals, this process relies on a natural solvent to extract caffeine - and the results are delicious.

How the Sugarcane Decaf Process Works (Without Getting Too Sciency)

1. Steam Time
   The green (unroasted) coffee beans are steamed to open their pores, making them more receptive to decaffeination.

2. Caffeine Extraction
   The beans are then soaked in a solution of water and ethyl acetate, which naturally bonds with caffeine molecules and pulls them out.

3. Rinse & Repeat
   After the caffeine is removed, the beans are rinsed with fresh water to clean off any remaining EA.

4. Drying It Out
   Finally, the beans are dried back to their original moisture level, ready to be roasted and brewed.

   But How Does It Taste?

   Here’s the magic: sugarcane decaf is known for being sweet, smooth, and well-balanced. Many coffee lovers say they can barely tell it’s decaf - and some even prefer it!

   Because the process is relatively gentle, the bean’s natural flavours are preserved, meaning you still get that fruity, chocolatey, or nutty profile you’d expect from a great cup of coffee.

   You also won’t get a chemical aftertaste, which is common in some older decaf methods.

   Sugarcane Decaf vs Other Decaf Methods

   Method	Solvent Used	Taste Profile	Eco-Friendliness
   Sugarcane (EA)	Natural ethyl acetate	Sweet, clean, complex	✅ Sustainable & origin-based
   Swiss Water	Just water	Mild, smooth	✅ Chemical-free but more costly
   Methylene Chloride	Synthetic solvent	Can taste "off"	❌ Chemical-heavy
   CO₂ Process	Pressurised CO₂	Balanced, clean	✅ Clean but expensive

    

   Ready to Try Sugarcane Decaf?

   We roast a delicious sugarcane-processed decaf that we’re proud of — smooth, sweet, and easy to fall in love with. Try it here.