Guatemala — Alma — Swiss Water® Decaf

Alma means “soul” and the name could not be more fitting.

This decaffeinated blend comes from Edwin Martinez and the team at Finca Vista Hermosa, a third-generation coffee farming family rooted in the highlands of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Over the past two decades, they have expanded their work to partner with smallholder farmers across multiple regions, including Jalapa, with a shared goal of making specialty coffee both sustainable and inclusive.

For Alma, the team begins with washed-process coffees that score 84.5+ prior to decaffeination, carefully selecting lots known for brightness, clarity, and subtle fruit character. Cherries undergo a 24-hour fermentation, followed by 7-10 days of patio drying on concrete, producing a clean and expressive foundation before decaffeination even begins.

Swiss Water® Decaffeination

Alma is decaffeinated using the Swiss Water® Process, a method that relies solely on water, time, and carbon filtration; no chemical solvents. The process uses a caffeine-free green coffee extract to gently draw caffeine from the beans, while carbon filters with precisely calibrated pore sizes remove only the caffeine molecules.

The result is a 100% chemical-free, organic-certified decaf that preserves the coffee’s original character. Rather than tasting like the process it went through, Alma remains true to the coffee it started as sweet, balanced, and vibrant.

Coffee with Purpose

Alma’s impact extends well beyond the cup. For every pound sold, $0.05 is donated to Habitat for Humanity Guatemala’s Smokeless Stove Program, a long-term initiative providing efficient, clean-burning indoor stoves to families in rural communities. From the 2021 harvest alone, the program helped 42 families receive new stoves, improving indoor air quality, reducing wood consumption, and creating healthier homes for years to come.

With full traceability, thoughtful sourcing, and a meaningful mission behind it, Alma is a reminder that decaf can carry just as much intention, integrity, and care as any other coffee on the menu.

Because when it’s done right, decaf doesn’t lose its soul.

Profile

• Roast: Medium

• Region: Huehuetenango & Jalapa, Guatemala

• Producer: Various Smallholder Farmers

• Process: Swiss Water® Process Decaffeination

• Elevation: 1,500–1,800m

• Varieties: Bourbon, Caturra, Pache

• Cup: Sticky Toffee Pudding, Sweet Cream, Milk Chocolate