Decaf Uganda Lala Salama CO2

Far from being in the ‘death before decaf camp’, we have long since appreciated the need for a good coffee minus the caffeine. So much so we have spent a good deal of time on the hunt for one this past decade! A task much harder than you might think, due in part to the myriad of processes that exist out there…

It is thought Decaf coffee was discovered by accident when green coffee beans became soaked by seawater in transit, partially removing some of the caffeine. Upon further investigation and experimentation, it was found that applying a chemical solvent (Benzene) stripped all caffeine from the beans, producing the world’s first patented Decaf coffee. The only catch was this chemical solvent was found to cause a whole host of issues from respiratory tract irritation to cancer. 

Surprisingly, many commercial coffee manufacturers to this day still rely upon chemical solvents for a quick and cheap way to strip the caffeine (and many of coffee’s positive attributes) away from the beans - the most common chemicals used are Methylene Chloride (commonly used in adhesives, paints and even chemotherapy) and Ethyl Acetate (also known as the Sugarcane Process, a solvent that is naturally found in some fruits). Whilst both of these chemical solvents can have adverse health effects when inhaled/consumed in small doses, the FDA concluded that the trace amounts you get in decaf are too miniscule to affect your health. 

However, we think there is more to consider. There is no reason for those who require decaf coffee (either from personal preference or for health reasons) to accept a substandard drinking experience. Surely, it is possible to remove caffeine AND hold on to the many intrinsic characteristics coffee possesses thanks to the unique terroir that supported its growth?

Happily, we have found it.

The CO2 Process

This lot comes from The Coffee Gardens Project which was established in 2017 with the goal of producing specialty coffee in an ethical way, offering a direct link between coffee farmers and consumers.

Processed using the CO2 method, this decaf is mainly made up of coffees from producers who live in the villages of Gombe and Zebigi. Last year, with the support of roasters, the Coffee Gardens trained these farmers on growing coffee amongst shade trees, good agricultural practices, and of course, better harvesting techniques. In July, they distributed over 8300 shade, fruit and fast growing tree seedlings. This year, training is continuing and the focus is on building toilet blocks for the three primary schools in the area, including Zebugu-Busi Primary School.

We are so delighted to re-introduce a second decaf option to our range, giving all you decaf lovers a choice of different flavour profiles to enjoy.


The details of the Co2 process are outlined below:

1. The green beans enter a ‘pre-treatment’ vessel where they are cleaned and moistened with water before being brought into contact with pressurised liquid carbon dioxide. When the green coffee beans absorb the water, they expand and the pores are opened resulting in the caffeine molecules becoming mobile.

2. After the water has been added, the beans are then brought into contact with the pressurised liquid carbon dioxide which combines with the water to essentially form sparkling water. The carbon dioxide circulates through the beans and acts like a magnet, drawing out the mobile caffeine molecules.

3. The sparkling water then enters an evaporator which precipitates the caffeine rich carbon dioxide out of the water. The now caffeine free water is pumped back into the vessel for a new cycle.

4. This cycle is repeated until the required residual caffeine level is reached. Once this has happened, the circulation of carbon dioxide is stopped and the green beans are discharged into a drier.

5. The decaffeinated coffee is then gently dried until it reaches its original moisture content, after which it is ready for roasting.

Once you have placed your order, you will receive an email to confirm it is being processed and then another one to let you know when it has been dispatched.

If you place your order before 12pm, we'll dispatch it the same working day! All orders are shipped with DPD next working day delivery as standard. Fully tracked delivery, with a one hour delivery window and real time delivery updates.

DPD offers the ability to change delivery address and date, opt for delivery to a neighbour or safe place, or redirect to a DPD Pickup shop, all while it's on the way to you! DPD aim to be the UK's most sustainable delivery company.

Operating times are 9am-5pm Mon-Friday. Orders placed after 12pm on Friday will not be processed until 9am Monday morning.

Local pickups take place from the Roastery on Tong Road. Please note our shutter doors will be down for security and temperature reasons but we are always in Monday-Friday between 9 and 5pm – just ring the doorbell on arrival

If you order 1-2 x 250g bags of coffee, they will be sent in a letterbox friendly package so that you do not need to be in to take receipt of your coffee.

Our 250g bags are 100% home compostable including the valve, seal and sticker! They will degrade in 6 months in a well managed home compost.

Our 1kg bags are currently in LDPE plastic - some councils will recycle this for you, if you are unsure simply take it to your local supermarket with your other plastic packaging.