Most decaf is an afterthought—whatever's left over, stripped of caffeine and flavor alike. This Colombia Inzá San Antonio from Onyx Coffee Lab is the opposite: a washed-process coffee from the highlands of Cauca, selected for decaffeination because of its inherent structure and sweetness. The result is a decaf that tastes like coffee should—vibrant, balanced, and worth drinking any time of day.
Tasting Notes
Expect red apple and raw sugar on the nose, with a structured sweetness that carries through each sip. The acidity is bright but gentle, reminiscent of ripe pear, and the body is clean and rounded. The finish is smooth, with lingering notes of baked apple and a hint of caramel. This is a decaf that doesn't compromise—it just lets you sleep.
Brew Methods
This coffee shines as espresso, where its sweetness and balanced acidity create a forgiving, approachable shot that works beautifully in milk drinks. It's equally at home in pour over methods like V60 or Chemex, where the clean, washed-process clarity comes through. French press brings out more body and a softer, rounder cup. Avoid over-extraction; this coffee's delicate fruit notes prefer a gentle touch.
About the Roaster
Onyx Coffee Lab, based in Arkansas, is known for meticulous sourcing and transparent relationships with producers. They approach decaf with the same rigor as their top-scoring competition coffees, proving that removing caffeine doesn't mean removing care.
Not sure which grind size or brew ratio to use? Clive's team can walk you through dialing in this decaf on your setup—and recommend grinders and brewers that'll get the most out of it.