MILAN – Descamex is a company founded in 1980 by Mr. Domingo Muguira and since then it has been perfecting in processes to achieve decaffeinated coffee with top quality flavor, aroma and consistency. For these reasons It’s recognized worldwide as Mountain Water Process. We have spoken with them to tell their story through their direct worlds.
How was Descamex born? Was decaf a strong and compelling reality in Mexico in 1980?
“We used to be green coffee exporters, we though getting into the Decaf business was a good way to expand our offers to the USA market and a new option to get away from the quota system that use to be in place in the 80´s.”
The decaffeination process you use is water-based and exceeds 99% extraction: what does this mean in terms of the quality and the final result in the cup?
“Our Water base process “MW” has been Organic Certified since 2003; we do 97% extraction, which means our product are 99.9 Caffeine Free.”
What does the other MC process consist of?
“We do have 2 Decaf facilities, one of them runs with our Mountain Water process “MW” and the other use MC or DCM process (Dichloromethane or Methylene Chloride).”
What do Descamex offer in terms of product offer and services?
“We are at origin and the main competitive advantages of our Decafs are:
– Is the best tasting Water Decaf, best cup in the Market.
– Longer shelf life, will keep its quality in green for a long period of time, so there is no need to roast it as soon as you received it.
– Easier to roast, will behave more similar to a regular green coffee during Roasting.”
You have obtained many certifications: what they are and how important it is today to be able to show them to customers:
“We are proud to have achieve the following certifications and it show and guarantee to our clients the safety, security, good quality and traceability of our product: Organic Certifications (NOP, EU, JAS, COR and SAGARPA regulations), under the sustainability labels we are RFA, UTZ, FLO, FAIR TRADE USA and SMBC Bird Friendly certified, additionally our facilities are FSSC 22000 as well as Kosher and Halal certified.
Our company has also been certified since 2006 as a ESR (Socially Responsible Enterprise).”
What is Descamex’s main market? Do you sell more abroad or in Mexico and on which channel?
“We do sell our Decaf to more than 30 countries and we do sell either through Coffee Importers or to Roasters.”
From 1980 to today, how has the decaffeinated sector evolved from your point of view?
“There has been a big change, technologies have improved and the quality of the Coffee beans that are now use for decaffeination are a milestone away from what it used to be at the start of the 80’s; there is an Specialty Decaf market and the people that drink Decaf now is because they really enjoy the product and can consume more cup of coffees per day and not only due to medical or healthy reasons.”
Is decaffeinated popular in Mexico, or are there consumer prejudices? If so, is it changing and how?
“Of course there are consumer prejudices, there is still a myth that Decaf does not taste good, so you have to convince the consumer to give it a try and when they do and find out that they cannot tell the difference, then you have a new client or believer of Decaf.
In a blind taste, I can assure you that our Decaf is as good or sometimes even better tasting than the regular coffee Decaf is becoming more popular in Mexico and all around the world.”
2020 was a complicated year due to the pandemic: how did it affect sales, how did you react and how have you organized yourself for 2021?
“2020 was a complicated and tragic year due to the Pandemic, the world lost to many valuable persons before their times; but to the ones that remains behind, show us patience and let us know, that with big problems there are always opportunities.
Some of our clients due to the sector of the business they were oriented were affected on their daily business and we tried to be there and support them as best we could and for some others it was a very good year in terms of sales volume, so for Descamex at the end was not a bad year.”
Could ecommerce be e-commerce a way to restart?
“We believe e-commerce is an important part on any business, but relations ship will be always a necessity.”
What’s in the future of decaf?
“Opportunities, there are countries with very low or not decaf consumption at all.”
What’s next for Descamex?
“To keep promoting Decaf, we love it and we want you to “enjoy Coffee without limits””
You can explore the Descamex offer at the website.
