What is your favorite decaf espresso blend? - Page 2

[PheasantCreek]

We recently switched from CCC Decaf Organic Mexico to CCC Decaf Organic Sumatra. The Sumatra is swiss-water processed as opposed the Mexico Pluma which was CO2 decaffeinated. I found the Mexico would get a bit astringent as a straight shot. The Sumatra is a very drinkable straight shot.

[bubbamike]

I like Cafe d'Arte Espresso decaf http://www.caffedarte.com/page.aspx?pageid=1389. Very rich. My SO called it the best decaf she had ever tasted.

[cerradodude]

I fear that I am walking into a hornets nest here, but whatever. My best decaf espresso experience to date is with Lavazza Dek. Really good stuff, fools people all the time. I have tried some of the commonly praised micro-roasters, e.g. Black Cat, and found their decafs lacking in comparison.

[forgetcolor]

So, now that I've won a few small gifts (free shipping mostly), can anyone who's tried any of the following suggest a good decaf espresso blend?

Klatch
Paradise Roasters
Ecco
PTs

thanks

[OneShot]

I just got through pulling a Klatch Decaf espresso that arrived today. It requires a finer ground (3-4 on my Rocky instead of 6 for the Klatch Belle espresso and 7 for the Klatch WBC espresso). Good crema with 27 second pull. As for taste, well I wish it was remotely as good as the caffeinated blends. It was much better than the two decaf espressos I got from SpecialtyJava.com (Organic Decaf and Italian Decaf), but still suffered from the chemical overtones and bitter aftertaste. Not remotely as smooth as the other Klatch products. Still searching for a good Decaf... will try Lavazza Dek decaf among others next.

[TintoKing]

Chicane Coffee's Colombia Excelso Swiss Water Process (SWP). Have fooled several with this one. "Best coffee I've ever had...," they say-- then when I break it to 'em that it was decaf they were so excited about, they manage to suddenly "discover" various deficiencies attributable to the decaffination process. Try a little of this, it's the best decaf I've found thus far.
Problem is with the roasting, since (as with all decaf) it's quite difficult to judge roasting times based on the usual criteria. Using an IRoast2, I have good luck with the "default" setting for Profile 2, and subtract about 40 seconds. Have gone through about 20 pounds of this so far, it's very popular with everyone in my household because of its lack of "decaf" taste.

[julioale]

The SO "Decaf Espresso, Costa Rica La Lapa" from Terroir Coffee is a good one, Rated 92 points by Kenneth David's Coffee Review.


Ale

[zin1953]

Espresso Vivace Decaf and Metropolis Decaf Redline are my two choices.

[pauljolly65]

...I'm considering an order of a "green" decaf espresso blend for home roasting..., has anyone tried the decaf green espresso from Metropolis, Paradise, SM's Donkey?....

I used to drink a lot of the Komodo blend, but it's a noticeable SWP--too much of the clarity of regular beans is lost in that process. I never had much luck with the Donkey blend, either. The hands-down best decaf I've had is, sadly, no longer available from my local outlet (it was a Peruvian CO2 and it was thoroughly enjoyable).

However, given the proliferation of excellent WP decafs, I've done more and more blending of my own & would encourage any home roaster to do the same. The current one is great as drip coffee (1/3 each of Kenya Peaberry Auction Lot, Sumatra Tapanuli, and Mexico Oaxaca) and fair as espresso. The next blend will get roasted this week or next--it's 20% Las Ranas, 40% Brazil Moreninha Formosa, and 40% Sumatra Tapanuli). I'm aiming for something with more body & crema. I'll try to remember to post a comment about it once I've poured a few shots.

Cheers,
Paul

[OneShot]

I am still in search for a flavorful decaf and have tried a few of the recommendations from the previous posts. The biggest challenge I have found with Decaf is the chemically aftertaste, so I have looked for coffees where the chemicals are minimal. My take on things are as follows:

Terroir "Costa Rica La Lapa" - smooth, mild flavor, somewhat alkaline, but without much aftertaste, good crema. Certainly a good choice, one that I will likely buy again.

Caribou Coffee "Natural Decaf" - bitter aftertaste, almost complete lack of crema. I had to make my burr grinders occasionally touch (Rancilio Rocky #1 setting) to get remotely the right pull time. I have tired all I can to make this coffee work, but unsuccessfully. It got a high rating on coffeereview.com... I can't but wonder if they got a different batch.

Espresso Vivace Decaf - Light and mild, smooth, little aftertaste, good crema. Flavor leaves the palate sooner than the Terroir, but in doing so has a more smooth flavor without any residuals. I will certainly consider purchasing again, and it is probably more consistently enjoyable than the Terroir.

Paradise Roasters "Decaf Espresso Northern Italian Style Blend" - My most recent purchase. Strong, robust flavor, with burnt caramel tones, little aftertaste. A good choice when I want a stronger espresso. Certainly a "purchase again".

Other than the Caribou, I have been grinding all the coffee on my Rocky Rancilio at a 2 setting with pretty consistent pull times.

Any other suggestions out there...?

[zin1953]

Any other suggestions out there...?

Well, you've tried one of my two suggestions . . .

Espresso Vivace Decaf and Metropolis Decaf Redline are my two choices.

One more you might want to try: Flying Goat Espresso Ticino Decaf.

Cheers,
Jason

[CoffeeBuzz]

I recently tried some Decaf Harfusa from Counter Culture, and was quite pleased with it. I didn't detect any of the chemical aftertaste normally associated with decaf, and found the taste quite pleasing.

In fact, I found it easier to dial in Decaf Harfusa than Toscano, quite to my surprise.

-dg-