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Behind the brew Plus

Producer:  San Agustin
Processor: El Vergel, Elias & Shady Bayter
Origin: Tolima, Colombia
Variety: Caturra + Colombia
Altitude: 1.750 MASL
Processes: honey & watermelon co-ferment
Decaf process: swiss water© decaf
Importer-Exporter: Forest Coffee

This coffee was named by Yarno!

About San Agustin & El Vergel Plus

SAN AGUSTÍN
High in the mountains of southern Huila, Colombia, the municipality of San Agustín is home to a vibrant community of coffee producers cultivating some of the region's most exceptional beans.

Nestled at 1,750 meters above sea level, this area is not only celebrated for its ideal coffee-growing conditions but also honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich archaeological legacy. Here, local farmers carefully tend to prized coffee varieties like Pink Bourbon, Caturra, Colombia, and Castillo, grown in harmony with the surrounding forests.

With the support and guidance of El Vergel, these producers are mastering innovative co-fermentation techniques — elevating the flavor profiles and uniqueness of their coffees. The result is a cup that tells a story of heritage, innovation, and the deep connection between the land and its people.

EL VERGEL

El Vergel Estate, run by the Bayter family, is a flagship operation for innovation and quality in Colombian coffee production. Originally specializing in avocados, a price collapse in 2006 led to the bold decision to cultivate coffee. What began as an experiment with Catimore and Caturra quickly evolved into a hub for specialty coffee.

Pioneering Spirit and Innovation
From 2016 onwards, varieties such as Geisha, Java, and Red Bourbon were planted with the help of coffee guru Miguel Jimenez. In 2018, El Vergel took things a step further by introducing natural fermentation processes. Particularly noteworthy is the groundbreaking Koji fermentation process, which has revolutionized the way green coffee is processed.

Research and Passion
Today, El Vergel is an innovation laboratory with over 28 varieties and a vision that unites technique and tradition. The Bayter family conducts intensive research into fermentation processes and continues to set new benchmarks in coffee production.

Sustainability and Community
In 2014 and 2015, El Vergel was certified as a Rainforest farm by the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros — a testament to their commitment to environmental stewardship. But the focus extends beyond the environment: together with Martha and her sons Elias and Shady, the farm is dedicated to strengthening its community. With passion and technology, they are not only creating exceptional coffee but also new opportunities for the people of the region.

El Vergel Estate — a place where coffee is not just grown, but redefined.

About the process Plus

Honey + Watermelon Co-Fermented

This blend of Caturra and Colombia varieties begins with a 48-hour pre-fermentation in plastic bags under anaerobic conditions, allowing complex flavors to develop. After depulping, the beans, still covered in mucilage, are co-fermented with yeast and watermelon flavors for five days, imparting a refreshing sweetness. The beans are then pre-dried on sun-exposed patios, followed by mechanical drying in static silos. A 30-day stabilization period allows the flavors to fully develop, delivering a balanced and distinctive profile.

Swiss Water® Decaf
This coffee was decaffeinated in Canada by Swiss Water® using the Water Process — a gentle water-based method for the natural decaffeination of green coffee. The Water Process uses pure water to extract caffeine from the green beans:

  1. Preparation: First, the green coffee beans are treated with steam to prepare them for decaffeination.
  2. Caffeine Extraction: This is the core phase, in which pure water is used to remove the caffeine.

    Extraction: Water is used to extract water-soluble substances, including caffeine, from the green coffee beans.
    Adsorption: The caffeine is then bound and removed from the resulting solution using activated carbon (adsorption step).
    Intermediate Drying: The coffee beans undergo an intermediate drying stage.
    Re-introduction: The decaffeinated solution is concentrated through evaporation (decaffeinated coffee extract). This concentrated extract is then reintroduced to the decaffeinated beans (absorption).

  1. Post-Treatment: The beans are finally dried, polished, and subjected to analytical and organoleptic quality control.
How to brew Plus
Filter

Ratio: 1:15 (e.g. 15g coffee to 225ml water)

Temperature: lower, approx. 88-89°C

Grinding level: slightly coarser than usual

Simple Recipe:
Bloom: 45g - 45sec
2 pours on 120g and 225g
Too much agitation leads to stalling and increased astringency.

Espresso

Temperature: Lower, about 91°C

Ratio: 1:2 as a base or shorter – I wouldn’t recommend longer.

Grinding level: Slightly finer than usual.

Aeropress

Here I can recommend Lance Hedricks’ recipe:

👉 Watch the video

30g coffee with 120g water (80-85°C)

Grinding level: Coarser than usual (French Press)

Preparation:

Pour all the water in at once.

Stir for 10 seconds.

After 1 minute, put the lid on and press for 1 minute.

Dilute with 80-120g water.

We would be happy if you shared your favorite recipe with us!

If you have any questions, please send us a message via email or WhatsApp.

D STANDS FOR™️

Specialty Decaf. Thoughtfully sourced. Freshly roasted in Vienna.

We are the #1 decaf specialist in Austria. We stand for a new generation of decaf: quality, transparency, sustainability and simply INCREDIBLY GOOD. Try it out!

The ritual you love - without caffeine.

Any questions? We can help!

We have already compiled and answered the most frequently asked questions for you. If you have any further questions, please send us a WhatsApp or email .
Should I order ground or whole beans? Plus

We recommend ordering whole beans and grinding them fresh before each preparation. This guarantees the best results, especially with decaf, as this loses its flavor more quickly than regular coffee due to the decaffeination process. A hand or automatic grinder is a worthwhile addition to any coffee-loving household. However, we are happy to grind the coffee for you if you wish.

Do you also have capsules or pads? Plus

Not yet, but we're working on it. Sign up for the waitlist to be notified when they're available.

How fresh is the coffee? Plus

Our decaf is freshly roasted every week and shipped directly after roasting, the coffee should rest for 5-7 days to develop its full aroma.

How much caffeine does decaf have? Plus

Although many people say “caffeine-free coffee,” that is not entirely accurate. Decaffeinated green coffee and roasted coffee has a caffeine content of less than 1 gram per kilogram – or 0.1%.

For comparison:

  • Decaffeinated beans: 0.1% caffeine
  • Arabica: approx. 1-1.4% caffeine
  • Robusta or Canephoras: 1.8-3.5% caffeine
  • Aramosa, Laurina (Low Caf beans): 0.4-0.8% caffeine
Is the coffee organic? Plus

Our BIO Nutty Nib is organic certified.

In general we place more value on transparency and the closest and most long-term relationships possible with our partners. Certificates are always good when you have little information and can therefore be sure that certain minimum standards are met.

We pay premium prices to ensure fairness throughout the supply chain – so you get the best coffee.

On the product pages you will find detailed information about the farms and their practices.

How is your coffee decaffeinated? Plus

We use 100% natural decaffeination processes, such as the water and sugar cane process. These methods preserve the full aroma and flavor of our high-quality Arabica beans. You can find more information about the decaffeination processes here.

Do you also deliver abroad? Plus

Yes, we ship throughout Europe. If your country is not listed or for deliveries outside Europe, please contact us by email .