We all know decaf helps us enjoy the rich flavours of coffee without the buzz, but have you ever wondered how the caffeine is removed from your coffee?
Here's the decaf lover's guide to the three main types of decaffeination methods.
Direct or Indirect Solvent Process
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Solvent-Based
This traditional method involves soaking the coffee beans in a chemical solvent, like methylene chloride, which binds to the caffeine and removes it from the beans. Sounds intimidating, I know - concerns about the potential health risks associated with solvent residues have been raised. The industry has shifted towards safer solvent alternatives like ethyl acetate derived from natural sources to address this, like the sugar cane.
- Sugar Cane
Sweetness and decaf come together with this innovative method. The coffee beans are steamed to open their pores and are then exposed to ethyl acetate derived from sugar cane. The natural sweetness of the sugar cane combines with the coffee flavours, giving us an aromatic and satisfying decaf.
Water Decaffeination Process
- Swiss Water
Swiss Water is like a gentle hug for coffee beans. This method uses no chemicals; instead, it’s all about the power of osmosis. The green coffee beans are soaked in pure, filtered water, allowing the caffeine to dissolve. Then, the beans take a relaxing bath in a proprietary green coffee extract that absorbs the caffeine while leaving the flavours intact. Caffeine-free goodness.
- Mountain Water
This method is like a serene mountain retreat for your coffee beans. Like Swiss Water, the beans are soaked in water, but this time it’s the fresh, glacier-fed mountain water. The water is saturated with the soluble components of coffee, except the caffeine. The result? A flavourful decaf that maintains the essence of the beans’ origin.
CO2 Decaffination
Last but not least, CO2 comes to the rescue of coffee enthusiasts who seek a chemical-free decaffeination process. This method uses liquid CO2 to attract and remove caffeine from the beans. It’s like carbonation for your coffee but without the fizz. The result is a clean, flavourful decaf that deserves a round of applause.
So, what do we choose?
We understand that drinkers aren't only looking for a great tasting coffee, but an experience that is both good for them and for the planet. For this reason we at Decaf Haus are committed to only stocking producers who use the Swiss Water and Mountain Water methods.
Cheers to knowing more about what's in your cup and enjoying a flavourful, caffeine-free experience!