Blind Assessment: Sweet, soft, balanced. Cocoa, walnut, malted grain, a hint of flowers in aroma and cup. Round, quiet acidity; light, satiny mouthfeel. Flavor consolidates around cacao and walnut in a gently delicate finish.

Notes: The coffee composing this blend was sourced by the importer Royal Coffee, decaffeinated at the Descamex plant in Mexico by a water-only process that does not involve use of solvents, and sold to roasters under the name “Royal Select Water Decaf.” Water Avenue Coffee is a tiny roastery nestled next to the railway in the old Industrial Southeast quarter in Portland, Oregon. Visit www.wateravenuecoffee.com or call 503-808-7083 for more information.

Who Should Drink It: Sweetness, quietly layered flavor and soft acidity should please decaf drinkers who avoid intense acidity as well as caffeine.