Half the caffeine, but 100 percent flavor! That’s exactly what Half Caff from the London-based roastery Square Mile is all about. This blend combines two coffees, one of which has been decaffeinated, so you can enjoy your favorite filter coffee with about half the caffeine. The flavor profile blends sweet notes of milk chocolate and almonds with a fresh fruitiness reminiscent of wild berries. Its smooth texture and pleasant sweetness make it the perfect companion for a quiet afternoon.
Behind this blend are two family farming traditions. The first half comes from the La Cidra farm in the Lempira region of Honduras, jointly run by Renato Sánchez and his son Rafael. Renato’s daughter, Alejandra, has also recently joined the team to help ensure the coffee’s quality. The other half comes from El Trapiche in the Tarrazú region of Costa Rica, run by the Naranjo family. Kevin Naranjo oversees the careful processing of coffee cherries at the Santa Rosa 1900 Micromill, with which Square Mile Roasters has a long-standing partnership.
Both coffees undergo a washed processing method, which helps preserve their clean and balanced flavor profile. The Honduran half consists of the Catuaí and IHCAFE90 varieties, while the Costa Rican portion comes from the Catuaí variety. La Cidra coffee also undergoes decaffeination using ethyl acetate (EA), which removes most of the caffeine while helping to preserve its character. Combined with the fully caffeinated El Trapiche coffee, this creates a 50 :50 blend that offers a rich flavor with a lower caffeine content.
- Farms: La Cidra (Honduras), El Trapiche (Costa Rica)
- Processing station: Santa Rosa 1900 Micromill (Costa Rica)
- Composition: 50% La Cidra decaf, 50% El Trapiche