Our Swiss Water Decaf is loved. We often hear how much people enjoy it and that it's their favourite decaf. But at the beginning of the year we started discussing how we could expand our decaf range.
Why decaf?
Decaf is more popular than ever. We've noticed it ourselves, but the trend is happening across the coffee industry.
Research suggests:
- Over a quarter (26%) of people in the UK increased their decaf consumption in 2025.
- 62% of people avoid caffeine in the afternoon or evening but still want to enjoy coffee.
- UK decaf sales increased by 45% year on year in 2025.
This shift is being driven largely by younger, more health-conscious consumers.
The benefits of decaf
Decaf coffee retains many of coffee's naturally occurring polyphenols and antioxidants, which support heart and brain health.
It can also be a suitable alternative for people with high blood pressure or irregular heartbeats, while helping those looking to improve sleep quality or reduce anxiety.
Expanding our decaf range
We wanted to expand our decaf range, but not simply with another coffee from the same origin or using the same decaffeination process.
Instead, we wanted to offer more choice.
After cupping numerous coffees and comparing different decaffeination methods, we selected Colombia Popayán Sugarcane Decaf for its exceptional sweetness and flavour clarity.
The producers
The Popayán Decaf programme works with approximately 65 smallholder growers in the Popayán municipality of Cauca, eastern Colombia.
These producers work at altitudes above 1,700 metres above sea level, sheltered by the Andes Mountains, creating a stable climate that is ideal for producing balanced, high-quality coffees.
The programme encourages a focus on quality and sustainability, with farmers receiving premiums of up to 20% above the market price.
How the sugarcane decaffeination process works
The coffees undergo a traditional washed process before drying on patios or raised beds for around 20 days.
The coffee is then decaffeinated at origin, at a decaffeination plant in Caldas, around 500km north.
The green coffee is first steamed to open the pores of the bean, increasing permeability and removing the silver skin. It is then soaked in spring water to swell the cellular structure before being immersed in ethyl acetate, naturally derived from the fermentation of sugarcane and molasses.
The ethyl acetate selectively removes the caffeine molecules before being drained away. Finally, the coffee is steamed one last time and gently dried back to its original moisture content.
How does it compare with Swiss Water Decaf?
While both coffees are exceptional decafs, they offer very different experiences.
Flavour profile
The different origin and sugarcane process enhance the coffee's natural sweetness while preserving much of its original flavour profile. This is particularly effective when used with high-quality washed Arabica coffees from South America.
Compared with our Swiss Water Decaf, the result is a lighter roast profile with a sweeter, more fruit-forward character.
Caffeine content
Swiss Water Process removes 99% of the caffeine, while the Sugarcane Process removes a minimum of 97%.
In practical terms, a standard cup of Sugarcane Decaf still contains only around 2–7mg of caffeine, depending on roast level and brewing method.
We're really pleased to be adding the Colombia Popayán Sugarcane Decaf to our range. It doesn't replace our Swiss Water Decaf, it complements it. Each offers something different, giving you the opportunity to choose between two outstanding decaffeination methods and two distinct flavour profiles.
Whether you're already a decaf drinker or simply looking to reduce your caffeine intake, we hope you'll enjoy discovering the difference.
Ready to try our new Colombia Popayán Sugarcane Decaf?
Explore the latest addition to our decaffeinated coffee range, or compare it alongside our much-loved Swiss Water Decaf to discover the differences for yourself.
→ Shop Colombia Popayán Sugarcane Decaf
→ Shop Peru Swiss Water Decaf
