Decaffeinated Coffee – Coffee with no caffeine

We examine the reasons why and how decaffeinated coffee is such a common choice.

For many of us, a strong cup of coffee is essential to starting the day. Some people view it as their morning wake-up call, while others simply see it as a necessary component of their morning ritual. While many of us enjoy the surge and caffeine hit it provides, some people either don’t like the way it makes them feel or can’t handle it for other reasons. The beverage of choice in this case is decaffeinated coffee. It smells and tastes the same as ordinary coffee, but it doesn’t have the same effects (less strong and bitter flavour).

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Caffeine traces

Despite being labelled as decaffeinated, it contains some caffeine. Around 97% of the caffeine is removed, although a trace is still present. Although the effects of this small amount of caffeine are minimal, it has a huge impact on how much caffeine you are consuming.

The Effects of Coffee

Decaf is a popular option, which helps with sleep, for people who experience anxiety or get “jittery” after drinking coffee. Decaffeinated coffee is frequently chosen by pregnant women in order to continue drinking their favourite beverage without the addition of caffeine.

In order to avoid being kept awake at night by this well-liked stimulant, people who drink coffee later in the day may convert from regular coffee to decaf coffee. For precisely this reason, many people are unable to drink coffee after a certain time. ‘Morning coffee’ and ‘afternoon tea’ are popular phrases to hear.

Many people find it difficult to give up coffee, especially those who enjoy the taste, aroma, and overall experience of this famous warm beverage.

Decaffeinated coffee provides the ideal substitution at this time. It resembles normal coffee in look, flavour, and aroma. Just a little caffeine is present.

How is caffeine eliminated?

The removal of caffeine from coffee beans involves four distinct procedures;
Swiss Water, Direct and Indirect Solvents, Carbon Dioxide.

Using Direct Solvents

While the beans come into direct contact with chemicals to speed up the process, the roasting of the beans at 400+ degrees mean that the chance of finding any chemicals in the coffee is extremely low. Since this is likely the least expensive decaffeination procedure, your coffee will cost less.

Direct-Solvent Approach

Hot water is used to soak the beans. The water is then treated with a solvent in a different tank after absorbing the caffeine. Only caffeine will be consumed by this solvent. Thus, the flavour and oils are still present. The beans are then returned to the tank to reabsorb the tastes and proteins once the solvent has been scraped off the top. As a result, the water never makes direct touch with the beans.

Using Swiss Water

Probably the purest way to remove the caffeine without the use of chemicals but using water does slow down the decaffeination process and means that other proteins and compounds are removed. To prevent flavour loss, coffee components are oversaturated in the water. The most pure coffee will be made using this process, but it will cost more.

CO2 Approach

A more modern technique substitutes carbon dioxide for chemicals. Before being put in a stainless steel container, the beans are soaked in water. Once sealed, liquid CO2 is forced into the coffee at high pressure per square inch. The CO2 then dissolves and withdraws the caffeine leaving behind all the flavour.

What Happens to the Caffeine After Decaffeination?

In case you were wondering, the caffeine does not go to waste. It is used in fizzy, caffeinated drinks, pharmaceutical products, skincare products, caffeine shampoos and candy. Some of these products are ingested, others aren’t. Caffeine is a huge business, and this by-product of decaf coffee is extremely popular.

It’s Not Just Coffee

Many teas also contain caffeine. Caffeine can be removed to produce decaffeinated tea as well. While a cup of tea doesn’t have the same effects as coffee, those who are averse to caffeine, or have removed it from their diet, will also choose decaf tea.

For those workplaces that like to cater for all of their staff, it is always a good idea to offer a decaf option. Among our popular ground coffee and coffee beans, you will find quality decaffeinated coffee to satisfy even the most discerning taste buds.

Take a look at our deca coffee options in the store, here.

If you would like to read more about Nescafe decaf coffee range, visit the Nescafe website.