I'm in the midst of my first experiment with adding 4 grams water to 96
grams decaf greens to bring it up to the typical 100g weight of typical
non-decaf greens (normalized for post roast weight).
The hydration was easy, the decaf greens were very thirsty. I roasted to a
similar profile. BTW, my idea of profiling is twisting the knob on my
Gourmet (still working) and going back into the house.
I drank my first pot of the +water after a one day rest and while I haven't
done a side by side cupping, I perceive an improvement. I did do some side
by side sniffing of a normal decaf roast, and a decaf + water roast, after
about a day of rest and the +water almost smelled like a different bean
(deeper, darker, whatever that means?)...
Tomorrow I will try a pot of the decaf w/o added water and try very hard to
give it a fair review, it will be rested an extra day, then the next day
I'll be drinking the +water at 3 days, and so on.
JR

I swear I am not a shill for SM.  I roasted four
coffees yesterday {outside on the bbq grill side
burner in a wokkish pan). Had trouble hearing the
events with the harar decaf and pulled it
guesstimating it was ready.  Dark brown with little
oil.  Brewed today.  Wonderful!  Looked at my notes
for the last three roastings and they were all very
positive. If some on this list feel that decafs can't
be full  and rich with marvelous aroma and taste
please try this.
                              Paul
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On 28 Dec 2003 at 9:29, PAUL RIFKIN wrote:
<Snip>
I've been very impressed by it, as well as the other "water 
process" decafs from Royal Importers.
Jim

I never even considered decaf until getting hooked on home roasting and
drinking myself into sleep deprivation....
I concur the decaf harar is nice.
I wonder if adding some water to decaf would make a difference, as it
appears to be somewhat dehydrated compared to regular greens (based on
weight loss during roasting)?
JR
Perhaps I'll experiment with my next batch... I'm inclined to try adding 4
grams water to 96 grams green decaf to bring it up to the typical 100 grams
non-decaf I use to get 82 grams after roasting.

I have had great results with the decaf Harrar from SM. Especially if it 
is aged for about 6 days.
It gets better as it gets older after the roast.
PeterZ
PAUL RIFKIN wrote:
<Snip>

From: peter zulkowski 
Subject: Re: +decaf harar horse
Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2003 13:45:19 -0700
<Snip>
I agree 95%. That decaf Harar seems to build up the huge body with a
little bit of sweetness only after waiting for that many days, but
some of the initial bite and spiciness (which is not perfectly
preserved in the decaf version, though I think this year even the best
non-decaf Harar isn't up to two years ago) are gradually faded. I blend
equal parts of this week's roast and last week's roast. Much
better. One variation is to replace the older part of the Harar with
decaf Colombian Huila, which adds a huge amount of sweetness
instantly. Another variation is to add 1/3 or so of Yemen.
In fairness for the decaf, two years ago, decaf like this was very
rare.  It's now just a matter of click and wait. It'll set a huge
expectation for the decaf Harar next season!!!
I find that Huila decaf to be an excellent decaf. Roasted a little
lighter side, it can dilute caffeine in the morning blend. Roasted a
little darker, it is perfect after dinner with or without
blending. Roasted a bit more darker it adds great body and sweetness
to cafe crema and espresso blends. If you compare decaf vs non-decaf
vis-a-vis, this is pretty good. Harar, on the other hand, still loses
some of its spiciness and complexity in the decaf version. Columbia is
much milder intrinsically so it may not have much to lose anyway (like
Mexicans).
One negative for decafs -- they seem to go stale quicker than regular
and vacuuming doesn't help much. But that's ok, taking away much of
the irritant more than offsets this weakness.
I want decaf Harar (and Yemen) with gunpowder.
(without adding a dash of old time american rye whiskey)
--
Ryuji Suzuki
"I can't believe I'm here.
People always say that I'm a long way from normal."
(Bob Dylan, Normal, Illinois, 13 February 1999)

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
Thank you for the input. Looks like I will be getting together an order 
from SM soon.
All these blends to try......
Smile,
PeterZ
Still enjoying the 50F sunny weather here in LHC
Ryuji Suzuki wrote:
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