The Calm Behind Crickle Creek Coffee
Running a family business is meaningful, rewarding and occasionally a little intense.
Especially when two passionate siblings like Alejandro and me are involved.
Our meetings can move quickly. Ideas fly around the room. Opinions become enthusiastic. One conversation somehow turns into six different projects.
Then Guillermo steps in.
He listens, brings everyone back to the main point and helps us find the middle ground.
He is our official peacekeeper, although I am not sure he ever applied for the position.
That same calm approach is what makes him so good at building relationships.
Guillermo leads much of our work with wholesale customers, community groups and fundraising partners. He genuinely enjoys meeting people, hearing their ideas and finding ways to create something valuable together.
For him, business has never been only about making a sale.
It is about creating relationships that continue long after the first order.
Coffee Has Always Been Part of His Story
Guillermo’s connection to coffee began long before Crickle Creek.
His father owned a coffee farm in El Salvador, and Guillermo managed the property for approximately ten years, beginning in 2005, before moving to Canada.
The farm sold its coffee through the commercial market rather than as separated specialty lots.
That experience still gave Guillermo a deep understanding of what it takes to grow coffee.
Coffee farming requires patience, planning and resilience.
Trees take years to mature. Weather can change an entire harvest. Labour, processing, transportation and pricing all affect whether a farm can continue operating successfully.
Managing the farm also showed him how closely coffee is connected to the surrounding community.
A coffee farm does not operate in isolation. It supports workers, families, suppliers and local businesses.
That long view still influences the way Guillermo works today.
He understands that meaningful growth does not happen overnight. It is built through trust, consistency and relationships that are cared for over time.
Why Guillermo Became the Half Caff Guy
Guillermo has always loved coffee.
But after experiencing a health issue, he decided to reduce how much caffeine he consumed.
He did not want to give up the flavour, comfort or ritual of coffee. He simply needed an option that fit his life better.
That experience helped inspire our growing selection of half caff coffee and decaf coffee.
We realized Guillermo was far from alone.
Many people love coffee but want to reduce their caffeine because of personal preference, sleep, sensitivity or advice from a healthcare professional.
They still want a coffee that tastes rich, balanced and satisfying.
They do not want their cup to feel like a compromise.
And honestly, half caff could not suit Guillermo better.
His coffee may be half caff, but his mindset is always full.
What Is Half Caff Coffee?
Half caff coffee is made by combining caffeinated coffee with decaffeinated coffee.
It is designed for people who want the experience and flavour of coffee with less caffeine than a fully caffeinated cup.
A common approach is to combine equal portions of regular and decaf coffee.
However, half caff does not guarantee an exact caffeine amount.
The caffeine in the finished drink can vary depending on:
• The coffees used
• The decaffeination process
• The amount of coffee brewed
• The brewing method
• The serving size
• The coffee to water ratio
Decaffeinated coffee is also not completely caffeine free. It normally retains a small amount.
The simplest way to think about half caff is this:
It offers less caffeine while preserving the ritual and flavour of a regular cup of coffee.
Who Is Half Caff Coffee For?
Half caff can be a wonderful option for anyone who wants to enjoy coffee while reducing caffeine.
Some people choose it because they:
• Are sensitive to caffeine
• Want a second or third cup
• Enjoy coffee later in the day
• Are gradually reducing caffeine
• Prefer a gentler morning routine
• Love the flavour and ritual of coffee
• Want something between regular and decaf
It can also be helpful for households where one person wants regular coffee and another prefers decaf.
Instead of choosing one or the other, half caff gives you a balanced middle option.
Individual caffeine needs are personal. Anyone reducing caffeine for medical reasons should follow the advice of their healthcare professional.
Does Half Caff Coffee Taste Different?
Half caff coffee should not automatically taste weaker.
Caffeine itself is not what creates all the body, sweetness and flavour in a cup.
The taste depends much more on the coffees selected, how they were processed, how they were roasted and how well the caffeinated and decaffeinated components work together.
That is why creating a good half caff coffee requires more than mixing any regular coffee with any decaf.
The two coffees need to complement each other.
A thoughtfully made half caff can still offer:
• Rich chocolate notes
• Caramel sweetness
• Smooth body
• Balanced acidity
• Nutty flavours
• A satisfying finish
Our goal is for someone to choose half caff because they love the coffee, not only because they want less caffeine.
Why We Care So Much About Decaf and Half Caff
Decaf and half caff have not always received the same care as regular specialty coffee.
They are sometimes treated like secondary options.
We do not believe they should be.
People who reduce caffeine still care about freshness, origin, flavour and quality.
They still deserve a coffee that feels exciting to brew.
Guillermo’s experience made this especially personal for us.
We began paying closer attention to how our decaffeinated coffees tasted on their own and how they behaved when blended with our regular coffees.
We wanted to create options with genuine sweetness, body and character.
Not coffee that merely tastes acceptable “for a decaf.”
Just genuinely good coffee.
More Than Half Caff
Coffee is only one part of Guillermo’s role at Crickle Creek.
Sales and partnerships are where he truly comes alive.
He enjoys meeting new people, finding growth opportunities and bringing ideas to the table.
Our chocolate covered coffee beans were one of those ideas.
He also leads many conversations with businesses and community groups interested in:
• Wholesale coffee
• Corporate programs
• Fundraisers
• Community partnerships
• Custom coffee projects
• Special events
His strength is making people feel comfortable.
He does not push. He listens.
He wants to understand what someone is trying to accomplish and then find a solution that works for everyone.
That is Guillermo in a sentence.
Calm, thoughtful and always looking for the path that brings people together.
Coffee, Motorcycles and Mountain Views
When Guillermo is not speaking with customers or planning a fundraiser, you will probably find him reading or talking about technology, corporate culture and mindfulness.
Or he may be riding his motorcycle into the mountains.
And yes, he brings coffee.
His favourite brewer is the AeroPress because it is compact, portable and easy to take on the road.
A quiet mountain view, an AeroPress and a bag of half caff coffee is a very Guillermo combination.
Because a beautiful view deserves good coffee, even when you are watching the caffeine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Half Caff Coffee
Does half caff mean exactly half the caffeine?
Not necessarily.
It commonly refers to coffee made with approximately equal amounts of regular and decaf coffee, but the final caffeine content varies according to the beans and brewing recipe.
Is half caff the same as decaf?
No.
Half caff contains both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. Decaf has had most of its caffeine removed.
Is decaf completely caffeine free?
No.
Decaf normally contains a small amount of caffeine, although much less than regular coffee.
Can I make my own half caff coffee?
Yes.
You can combine regular and decaf beans or brewed coffee.
For the best flavour, choose coffees with complementary roast levels and tasting profiles.
Can half caff be used for espresso?
Yes.
Half caff coffee can be prepared as espresso, drip coffee, French press, pour over or AeroPress.
You may need to adjust the grinder because decaffeinated beans can grind and extract differently from regular coffee.
Is half caff good for lattes?
Yes.
A half caff coffee with good body and chocolate, caramel or nutty notes can work beautifully in lattes and cappuccinos.
Does half caff taste weaker?
It should not.
A well designed half caff coffee can still taste rich, balanced and full bodied. Strength also depends on your coffee to water ratio and brewing method.
Meet Guillermo
Guillermo may be known around here as the Half Caff Guy, but he is also one of the people quietly holding so much of Crickle Creek together.
He brings calm to our family meetings.
He builds lasting relationships with our customers and partners.
He reminds us to slow down, listen and look for the solution that works for everyone.
And he proves that reducing caffeine does not mean giving up a meaningful cup of coffee.
His cup may be half caff.
His commitment to our family, our business and our community is anything but half.
If you would like to speak with us about coffee, wholesale partnerships or fundraising opportunities, Guillermo and the Crickle Creek team would be happy to connect.
Explore Our Half Caff Coffees
Thank you for being part of our coffee community.
Adriana
Brew boldly. Live fully.
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