Decaf at Java Junky

What Coffee Lovers Should Know About Decaf Coffee

Most Americans love their morning coffee. Even when we are rushing out the door, we still have time for that all important cup of joe. Caffeine occurs naturally in coffee and is therefore used as a beverage for its stimulating affect. Did you know that coffee is the most widely consumed beverage in the world?

Caffeine can cause jitters and nervousness and is not recommended for individuals with certain health problems. Because of this, some individuals have taken the decaffeinated route, but did you know you are still consuming a little bit of caffeine? Have you ever wondered how they get the caffeine out of those delicious aromatic little coffee beans? Well, if you have, you've come to the right place! Let's take a look at some of the processes used to remove caffeine from coffee beans.

The first step to removing caffeine from coffee beans is to soak the beans in water. This softens the beans. After soaking, a solvent such as methylene chloride is used to remove the caffeine. Methylene chloride is used in several products to remove caffeine as the molecules blend together. The beans are processed either directly or indirectly. The direct method is where the beans are soaked directly into the chemical solution. Indirectly is where the water is treated with the methylene chloride solution and then the beans are soaked in the water after the caffeine has been removed.

Coffee labeled naturally decaffeinated is another chemical process of removing caffeine from coffee beans. The beans are again soaked in water and then the coffee water solution is treated with ethyl acetate. Ethyl acetate is a chemical found naturally in fruits, therefore the term naturally decaffeinated. After the caffeine has been removed, the coffee beans are again soaked in the coffee water solution so they can reabsorb their natural flavor.

Water processing is where the beans are soaked in water and no chemicals are used. After soaking the beans, the solution is drained through carbon filters that remove the caffeine and then the beans are soaked in the water to absorb oils and flavor.

Another type of water processing is called the Swiss Water Process. This is similar to the water processing method however the coffee water is used instead of plain water. Basically the beans are soaked over and over again to preserve flavor after being passed through carbon filters.

The last process is carbon dioxide processing. That is where the beans are soaked in water and then treated with carbon dioxide in a pressure cooker at high temperatures and very high pressure. The carbon dioxide bonds with the caffeine molecules and is then removed from the beans.

Coffee beans are treated before roasting to preserve flavor. Even though coffees are labeled decaffeinated, they still contain some measure of caffeine. In the United States 97% of the caffeine must be removed to qualify as decaf. What do they do with this left over caffeine? Surprisingly it is used in soft drinks and other products.

For those who are drinking decaffeinated coffee due to jitters or sensitive stomachs, there are alternatives that are low caffeine, non-acidic, organic, and not subject to the chemical processing of decaf coffees. More information can be found on our blog on healthy coffee.

Phillip Bynes is a proud husband, father, licensed massage therapist, and Family First Entrepreneur. As an active member of the health and wellness community, he provides resources to people who absolutely love coffee and embrace an opportunity to replace that unhealthy cup of coffee with enriched coffee that can provide substantial health benefits.

Is there any decaf tea that has a good taste?

Get the answers

is lipton green tea healthy or real?
my family bought a bunch of green tea bags from litpon. their Decaf and its brew your own tea. i usualy drink organic or bigelow tea but is lipton real tea? like if i drink this is it still healthy?

Get the answers

Where to buy Whole-Bean Dunkin Donuts coffee?
I love Dunkin' Donuts coffee. I love my French Press. I need to combine these two loves. Unfortunately, the DD coffee in the supermarkets I see are all the "ground coffee" version; and at the DD stores, I can only find decaf "whole bean" packages...sometimes, if I'm lucky, they have original blend. I drink a lot of coffee and the thought of having to drive to the DD store, (which is far out of my way) ,each time makes me sad. I know there are auctions on e-bay, etc., but I would really like to know if there is a reliable disturber of this stuff online somewhere. As a side question, my wife likes DD's flavored coffee; do they even offer the flavors in a "whole bean" bag? Thanks!

Get the answers

Decaf News

Scientist at Work Blog: Better Lives in Better Coffee

Coffee certification seems complicated, but there are potential benefits to farmers, the environment and society.

Forget the Flowers, Poems and Chocolate: Seattle’s Best Coffee Survey Reveals Sharing Coffee Leads to a Better ...

Don’t underestimate the power of a delicious cup of coffee in the morning. A recent survey conducted by Wakefield Research for Seattle’s Best Coffee, part of Starbucks Corporation , revealed nearly a third of coffee drinkers recommend morning coffee with a significant other as the best way to have a healthy relationship.

Could coffee become India's top drink?

Is India falling in love with the cappuccino?

Single-Serve Coffee Brewers Make Convenience Costly

Single-serve brewing machines are soaring in popularity, but the cost of the coffee is far higher than it may seem.

Video: Joe Coffee | Secrets of Successful Startups

Jonathan Rubinstein, founder of Joe the Art of Coffee, tells Laurel Touby and Jennifer Hill how he grew one coffee shop into a multi-million dollar local chain.

Chai cafes woo coffee fans in urban India

NEW DELHI, Feb 8 - A first-time visitor to New Delhi might think Indians are addicted to coffee. There are at least 10 coffee shops in Connaught Place, the city's financial and commercial hub, most within sight of each other and doing well. But if somebody wanted to enjoy a cup of tea at a similar sort of cafe devoted to tea they'd be out of luck, even in the world's second-largest tea producer ...

Uganda Jan coffee exports up 5.2 pct y/y: UCDA

KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda's coffee exports rose 5.2 percent in January compared to the same month last year thanks to dry weather that facilitated faster bean drying and expanded acreage, sector officials said on Tuesday. A source at the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) said Uganda shipped 226,471 60-kilogramme bags of coffee in January, compared with 215,180 bags in the same month a ...