Dreams is decaffeinated using the sugarcane process, also known as the EA natural method. It's prized for being one of the gentlest ways to remove caffeine while keeping a coffee's character intact.
The "sugarcane" name comes from the solvent: ethyl acetate, a compound produced by fermenting sugarcane. Ethyl acetate also occurs naturally in fruits like apples and bananas, which is why the method is often described as natural — the agent doing the work isn't a synthetic chemical.
The process works in a few stages. The green beans are first steamed to open their pores and draw the caffeine toward the surface. They're then repeatedly soaked in a water-and-ethyl-acetate solution, which bonds with the caffeine and draws it out. This soak-and-rinse cycle is repeated until roughly 97% of the caffeine is gone. Finally, the beans are steamed again to remove any residual solvent, then dried — in Dreams' case, on the patio — and rested before export.
Because it's carried out at low temperatures and pressures, the sugarcane process is far gentler than older solvent or high-heat methods. It strips out the caffeine while leaving the sugars, acidity and aromatic compounds largely intact — which is exactly why Dreams keeps the sweetness and vibrancy you'd expect from a fully caffeinated cup.
