Cooperativa Caldas was founded in 1960 and today hosts over 3,600 allied partner producers, mostly small farmers. Caldas is located in an area known as the Eje Cafetero, or the coffee-growers axis/triangle. It consists of the four departments of Quindío, Risaralda, Tolima, and of course, Caldas. This region is historically known as the center of coffee production in Colombia and was the largest coffee producer by volume, although today that title belongs to the department of Huila. At this time, 63,051 hectares of coffee are planted, and 95% of producers have less than five hectares to cultivate. The decaffeination process is a natural solvent-based process and is derived from a mixture of acetic acid and a natural extract distilled from sugar cane. First, the beans are steamed to open their pores and then rinsed in ethyl acetate repeatedly to remove the caffeine. Q Grading Points: 82 | Notes: Berries & Caramel | Recommended Preparation Methods: Espresso, filter, alternative methods, or milk-based preparations