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.
- BEAN PREP & SOAK: Green coffee beans are cleaned and soaked in pure glacier water from the highest mountain in Pico De Orizaba, Mexico. This naturally clean, high-altitude mineral-rich water allows gentle caffeine extraction.
- CAFFEINE DIFFUSION: Caffeine begins to migrate from the beans into the water, separating from the natural flavours and oils. The caffeine & flavour infused water is drained to be filtered.
- FILTER CAFFEINE: The caffeine & flavour-rich water is passed through activated charcoal filters, which traps caffeine while leaving flavour compounds intact.
- RE-SOAK BEANS: Beans are re-soaked in caffeine-free, flavour-rich water, allowing flavours to be reabsorbed while remaining caffeine continues to diffuse out to displace the lack of caffeine in the water.
- REPEAT CYCLES: The soak and filtration cycle continues until approximately 99.9% of the caffeine is removed from the beans, while still maintaining its bold and rich flavours.
- DRYING, POLISHING & PACKAGING: Fully decaffeinated beans are then dried, polished for cleanliness, and ready to be packaged for export, roasting and consumption.
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.