About This Coffee
Over the years, the term Excelso has held a few different meanings. What has not changed, however, is that only the best Colombian coffees are permitted to be exported.
Excelso is supplied in steady volume throughout the year. In the cup, it displays a reliably distinctive combination of body and acidity.
European Preparation (EP)
EP stands for European Preparation. EP beans are Screen 15+ with a low defect tolerance.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Decaf Processing
The CO2 method is, like water process, a non-solvent method. The difference between solvent and non-solvent methods is that solvent methods use artificially-derived chemicals while non-solvent methods use naturally-occurring ones. While solvent methods are considered perfectly safe for human consumption some roasters and customers may still prefer non-solvent methods.
CO2 decaffeination occurs in a steel vessel. Beans that have been soaked in water are sealed in the vessel. Then, super-critical carbon dioxide– under 1,000 pounds of pressure and at about 93 degrees Celsius – is circulated through the beans. The extracted caffeine is then removed from the CO2 by removing the pressure and allowing the CO2 to turn to gas. The CO2 leaves the caffeine behind and the CO2 is circulated through the beans again.
Coffee in Colombia
Colombia has been producing and exporting coffee renowned for their full body, bright acidity and rich aftertaste, since the early 19th century.
Colombia boasts a wide range of climates and geographic conditions that produce their own unique flavors in coffee. This also means that harvest times can vary quite a bit. In fact, between all its different regions, Colombia produces fresh crop nearly all year round.
The increasing focus on the specialty industry is changing the way traders and farmers do business. It is becoming more common for farmers to isolate the highest quality beans in their lots to market separately. These higher-quality lots are often sold under specific brands or stories.
Besides its wide variety of cup profiles, Colombia has quickly expanded its certification options over the past 10 years. The most common certifications available are Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and Organic.