Do you crave coffee but do not want as much caffeine? If so, then decaf coffee is a good option! Many people are unaware that when the caffeine content in coffee beans exceeds the limit allowed by law (80 mg/kg), manufacturers must remove some or all of the caffeine from those beans. This process often involves chemical extraction, and the beans are then called decaffeinated coffee. Read below to learn more about how decaf coffee is made.
What Does ‘Decaf’ Mean?
Decaf is a short form for decaffeinated. Decaf coffee is coffee that has less caffeine than typical coffee. In the United States, decaf coffee must contain less than 10 mg/kg of caffeine to be identified as decaf. Most decaf coffee is made from small-batch roast coffee beans, which often have lower caffeine levels than typical commercial harvest.
How Decaf Coffee Is Made
1. Soaking the Beans
The coffee beans that make decaf are robust and difficult to break down. To help reduce the caffeine content in the coffee beans, coffee beans must be soaked in hot water (160-210 degrees Fahrenheit), then activated carbon is added to the water to extract the caffeine from the coffee.
Other solvents used are methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. Methylene chloride is a widely used solvent for removing caffeine from beans. Ethyl acetate is another frequently used solvent for removing caffeine from coffee beans. The method leaves some residual taste in the water and coffee beans, but ethyl acetate is much more expensive and harsher on the coffee bean’sbean’s flavor.
In some procedures, coffee beans from the first batch are resoaked in water to retain the same flavor as the first time.
Ludwig Roselius, in 1905, invented this first step in decaffeination. He used to steam and methylene chloride to remove caffeine. This method used benzene as a solvent to extract the caffeine from coffee. Today this method is rarely used. The methylene chloride can damage many volatile oils in the beans.
2. Steaming the Beans
After the caffeine-free coffee beans are processed, they get cooled, then shipped to roasters. Once at the roasting facility, the beans get heated for a brief moment to deactivate any remaining chemical residues left over from the decaffeinating process.
Roasted beans are passed through a steaming machine but not immersed in water and then diluted with solvents such as methylene chloride or ethyl acetate to remove the caffeine.
Steaming is an alternative procedure to extract caffeine. It takes much longer than the decaffeination process and is more complex, but it still produces a strong-tasting coffee.
A solvent is typically added to the vessel. This was applied to punching and stirring several times before decaffeinated coffee. Proper temperature control is vital to ensure solvent gets heated to the proper temperature.
The benefits of using solvents are that they target caffeine at the surface of the coffee bean and remove it from within the coffee bean. The process does not affect the flavor of the coffee bean.
3. Swiss Water Process and Charcoal Filter
Carbohydrate solvents are used with charcoal filtration to remove caffeine. The coffee beans get soaked in water for several hours. The mixture is then filtered through a charcoal filter and rinsed with several freshwater washes. This method extracts up to 98% of the caffeine from the coffee beans.
Green beans are dipped in hot water tubes. The coffee beans are then cooled in water at room temperature. After the coffee has decaffeinated, the beans are removed and then air-dried to conserve moisture.
Carbon dioxide is a popular solvent used to remove caffeine. Carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of the coffee roasting process. This procedure is used on all types of coffees, not just decaf.
4. Sparkling Water Decaffeination
To remove caffeine, beans get soaked in water with cold-water carbon dioxide. Cool water carbon dioxide is added to the coffee beans and allowed to rest for several hours. The solution is then filtered, and the coffee gets rinsed with several freshwater washes. The coffee beans are then air-dried.
The cellulose fiber in the bean husk is a major factor that can increase the amount of caffeine retained. The consistency of the beans makes decaffeination difficult. Some methods involve using steam, and others use chemicals to remove the caffeine.
The coffee is washed with carbon dioxide before roasting. Carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of the roasting process. Instead of filtering our caffeine out with activated carbon, the carbon dioxide gets washed off.
5. Decaffeination by Osmosis
In this process, caffeine is removed through osmosis. Osmosis is the process of using water molecules to remove caffeine molecules from the beans.
Osmosis occurs when water moves through a semi-permeable membrane, This process removes caffeine from coffee beans. The coffee beans are soaked in a pressurized water bath for several hours. The coffee beans get rinsed in several clean water baths; This is repeated several times to ensure all the caffeine gets removed from the beans.
Coffee beans are placed in a chamber filled with warm water, and the temperature is slowly lowered to force water molecules through the coffee bean. During the process, caffeine is extracted from the coffee beans.
Why is it important To know the Production of Decaf Coffee?
1. Regulations
Many countries have strict regulations on decaffeinating coffee. In the European Union, coffee manufacturers must indicate that their product “may contain caffeine.”
A caffeine-free substance must be added to the coffee to ensure a certain level of decaffeination. Each batch of decaf coffee gets tested. This test can check for residual caffeine content.
Decaf coffee is a popular product you can sell in various forms. This can raise the amount of caffeine if it is not passed the required levels. Some countries are stringent, so check your country’s regulations.
2. Impact on Coffee
To pass decaffeination, you must ensure that your coffee beans retain their shape and freshness. It is also important for the beverage to maintain its flavor and aroma. Coffee is a valuable commodity, and decaf coffee is highly respected.
Some coffee makers need to add a combination of coffee and espresso and any other coffee grounds. The flavor may also be affected by the type of bean used in the coffee.
3. How Decaffeination Affects Health
Caffeine can affect our body in different ways. Coffee drinkers are familiar with caffeine’scaffeine’s positive effects on our bodies and mind. Caffeine can cause insomnia, irritability and mood changes.
Caffeine can increase the sugar and fat inside our body. Too much caffeine is bad for your health. It is important to remember that decaf coffee does not contain any caffeine whatsoever.
4. How decaffeination Affects the Environment
Eliminating caffeine from coffee production is friendly to the environment. There are no harmful chemicals that are applied to the coffee bean. It is a fact that many consumers prefer caffeine-free coffee.
Bonus Facts:
- Coffee industry in the USA alone is worth $19 billion a year.
- Ready-to-brew coffee consumed by Americans in 2013 is around 60.3 billion lbs.
- More than 2.5 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide.
- There are 1,200 chemical compounds in the green coffee bean.
- It takes five years for a tree to grow and reach the ideal to become a coffee bean.
- The most popular method of decaffeination is carbon dioxide.
Benefits of Decaf Coffee
1. Less caffeine
Caffeine can cause insomnia, irritability and mood changes. Too much caffeine can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Some people stop drinking coffee because it contains too much caffeine. Decaf coffee contains no caffeine at all. So people who drink decaf coffee can feel like they do not get any from caffeine.
2. No acid reflux
Acid reflux is a condition that causes acid to flow back up your throat. This can cause heartburn, respiratory problems and pain.
Drinking caffeinated coffee can cause acid reflux because caffeine stimulates the esophagus to relax. This causes the bottom of your esophagus to open up, allowing food and stomach acid to travel into your throat. If you are suffering from acid reflux, it is recommended that you drink decaf coffee.
3. Heart Health
Most coffee drinkers have a lower risk of heart attack or stroke, partly due to coffee’scoffee’s antioxidants. It can also reduce inflammation and prevent blood clots. This helps to lower the risk of heart disease.
Side Effects of Decaf Coffee
1. Hormones
This is because caffeine can suppress the production of certain hormones in the body. This can lead to problems like acne and mood swings.
2. Insomnia
Caffeine is known to trigger insomnia in many people. The effect can be more severe during pregnancy. It can cause headaches, anxiety and irritability.
3. Creates Anxiety
Caffeine can cause anxiety, panic attacks and paranoia. This can be more likely if you take caffeine with coffee. You may get headaches when trying to quit coffee because of caffeine withdrawal symptoms.
Decaf coffee is a great alternative for those who want to taste coffee but want to free themselves from caffeine. It is important to understand how the caffeine gets extracted from the beans, which can affect the taste, and why it is important to buy the right decaf coffee.
