How pure glacier water gently extracts caffeine while preserving coffee integrity.
Decaffeination does not have to involve chemicals or harsh processing. The Mountain Water Process is a natural, water-based method that removes caffeine using high-altitude glacier water from Mexico. Developed to respect the structure of the coffee bean, this process prioritizes gentleness, precision, and sustainability.
What Is the Mountain Water Process?
The Mountain Water Process is a chemical-free decaffeination method developed by Descamex in Veracruz, Mexico. It uses pure glacier water sourced from the Pico de Orizaba region to extract caffeine from green coffee beans. Through repeated soaking and filtration cycles, caffeine is removed while the bean’s natural compounds remain intact.
This method is widely recognized for its clean, water-based approach and its focus on maintaining the integrity of specialty-grade coffee.
How the Mountain Water Process Works
Caffeine is removed through a series of controlled water-based steps that rely on diffusion and filtration rather than chemical solvents.
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Soaking: Green coffee beans are cleaned and soaked in pure, high-altitude glacier water. This allows caffeine and other soluble compounds to naturally dissolve into the water.
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Filtration: The caffeine-rich water is passed through activated charcoal filters that trap caffeine molecules while leaving other coffee compounds in the water.
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Reabsorption and Reuse: The caffeine-free, compound-rich water is reused to soak new batches of beans. This allows remaining caffeine to continue diffusing out while maintaining the bean’s original structure.
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Drying and Preparation: Once approximately 99.9 percent of caffeine is removed, the beans are gently dried, polished, and prepared for export and roasting.
Why the Mountain Water Process Matters
The Mountain Water Process offers a cleaner alternative to traditional solvent-based decaffeination. It is a chemical-free, water-based, and environmentally conscious process.By reusing caffeine-free water across multiple cycles, the process reduces waste and supports more sustainable coffee production.
This approach removes caffeine with care, allowing the coffee to remain structurally intact and true to its origin.
Frequently Asked Questions: Mountain Water
Q. What is Mountain Water decaf?
A. A chemical-free decaffeination method that uses pure glacier water and activated charcoal filtration to remove caffeine from green coffee beans.
Q. Is the Mountain Water Process natural?
A. Yes. It relies on water, filtration, and diffusion rather than chemical solvents.
Q. How much caffeine is removed?
A. Approximately 99.9% of caffeine is removed, leaving only trace amounts.
Q. Is Mountain Water decaf environmentally friendly?
A. Yes. The process reuses caffeine-free water across cycles, reducing waste and supporting sustainable practices.
Q. Does De Mello have Mountain Water decaf?
A. Yes! Right here.
Looking for another water-based decaf method? Read about the Swiss Water® Process.