Description
This sweet, mellow & distinctly “monsooned” decaf comes from India’s Malabar Coast, where green coffee is seasonally exposed to humid monsoon winds that swell the beans, mute acidity, and deepen sweetness a centuries-old transformation now replicated in ventilated warehouses during June–September. Expect a soft, low-acid cup with gentle structure and classic spice-wood and baker’s chocolate cues true to Monsooned Malabar, just without the caffeine. This lot is decaffeinated via Mountain Water Process (MWP) a chemical-free water decaf performed at Descamex in Veracruz, Mexico. Beans are hydrated and introduced to a saturated coffee-soluble solution that selectively extracts caffeine while preserving flavor compounds; the extract is then filtered and recycled. Expect ~99% caffeine removal with cup integrity intact. The “Royal Select” designation indicates a curated, high-prep green chosen to decaf well.
Tasting Notes: Low acidity, smooth body, and a clean, mellow sweetness. Best from medium to dark roasts. Primary cues of baker’s chocolate and cedar/soft spice, with a round, calmly sweet finish Monsoon character minus the caffeine “edge.” As roast deepens, expect more cocoa/wood and a touch of malt. Unlike its caffeinated cousin, there is some earthiness but its not over the top, the decaf monsooned is more rich and chocolate/earth with some lingering spice.
Roasting Notes: Unlike its caffeinated cousin, these beans look fairly normal for a decaf coffee and also roast more normal. One can see a little variance in color while roasting but evens out a bit around a medium roast. Very low chaff, we recommend medium to dark roasts, and to give it a little longer setup before drinking for a more creamy cup character.
Monsooned Malabar: dried coffee stored and exposed for 12–16 weeks to monsoon winds in ventilated cellars; repeatedly flips and rakes; The grains absorb moisture, increase in size and lower acidity, turning straw-yellow. MWP (Mountain Water Process): water + coffee extract to extract caffeine without solvents; dried and repackaged; the extract is filtered and reused. >99% caffeine removal reported by Descamex and technical materials.
Rick Caldwell (verified owner) –
If your a fan of Mysore Nuggets, or monsooned Malabar, even though this is a decaf , it’s really a treat, roasted in my Behmor into the second crack and let rest for a day or two, this is a good cup of coffee.