Are you worried that by cutting back on caffeine, you might forget about your morning cup of coffee? Fortunately, decaf coffee is available on the market! How is this product made? Will it be a worthy substitute for my "good old" coffee? These are just two of the many questions coffee lovers who are minimizing their caffeine intake for health reasons ask themselves. It's hardly surprising, because even though decaf coffee is becoming increasingly popular in our country, it still doesn't quite live up to its traditional counterpart. In today's article , we explain what caffeine actually is, remind you where decaf coffee comes from, and discuss the methods for obtaining it .

What is caffeine?

Before we move on to how to make decaf coffee, it's worth recalling what caffeine is. How do we classify this substance? Caffeine is an alkaloid chemical compound that has a strong effect on those who consume it. It is classified as a natural stimulant , meaning it has a stimulating effect. Caffeine is found in various plant products, including coffee, tea, yerba mate, guarana, and even, interestingly, cocoa.

The properties of caffeine make many people eager to consume beverages containing it. The most popular carrier of this alkaloid is, of course , coffee – the caffeine content in its beans typically ranges from 1 to 2.8% . A large percentage of coffee drinkers value coffee not only for its flavor and aroma, but also for the effects it produces. These include, among others, the following:

• stimulation,
• reduction of drowsiness and fatigue,
• improving concentration and extending concentration time,
• acceleration of metabolism and fat burning,
• improvement in mood.

However, it is worth remembering that not everyone can drink coffee without restrictions - its effect on the body depends on many factors, such as age, health condition and the type of coffee we consume.

Properties of coffee – not just caffeine

Coffee, whether it contains caffeine or not, has a number of valuable properties. It aids digestion, has antioxidant properties, and thanks to its polyphenol content, can protect cells from oxidative stress. These properties mean that coffee is increasingly being considered a beverage with positive health benefits—not just as a stimulant.

According to the article "Caffeine content in food products" published in 2009 in the scientific journal Bromatologia i Chemikoksykiczna, in the case of an adult, healthy person , moderate caffeine consumption (up to 400 mg per day) has no negative impact on health .

It's no coincidence, however , that many people choose to avoid caffeine . What is the reason for this decision, and who should limit caffeine in their daily diet? Giving up this alkaloid is usually recommended by a doctor. Pregnant women should avoid caffeine on a daily basis, as this substance easily crosses the placenta and can increase the baby's heart rate and metabolism . Excessive caffeine intake by the mother also increases the risk of miscarriage. It is estimated that pregnant or breastfeeding women can consume approximately 200 mg of caffeine daily, meaning they don't have to completely eliminate coffee from their daily routine.

People cutting back on caffeine often turn to alternatives, such as decaffeinated instant coffee or blends. Decaffeinated specialty coffees from specific countries, characterized by rich aroma and full flavor, are also becoming popular.

It's not just new or expectant mothers who need to be careful about how much caffeine they consume throughout the day. People struggling with conditions such as :

• neurosis,
• trouble sleeping,
• stomach diseases,
• arrhythmia,
• problems with urinating too often.

In such cases, it is worth looking for products that are caffeine-free but full of flavor - such as decaffeinated coffee beans with a low roast level.

The History of Decaffeinated Coffee – Born from a Poet's Need

Many interesting stories surround decaffeinated coffee, concerning not only its properties and production methods, but also its roots. The origins of this beverage are truly remarkable ! To understand it, we have to go back two centuries. In the early 19th century, the renowned German poet Johann Wolfgang Goethe struggled with insomnia. The author of "The Sorrows of Young Werther" blamed coffee for this inconvenience. Impatient with another sleepless night, he asked his friend, chemist Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge, for help. The scientist decided to fulfill his friend's request and analyzed the "suspicious" coffee beans. After extensive research, the researcher managed to discover and isolate caffeine from the beans .

The technological breakthrough that would enable large-scale production of decaffeinated coffee still had to wait. The method for industrially producing decaffeinated coffee was not patented until 1905 by Ludwig Roselius. His proprietary process used brine and benzene to remove caffeine from beans. Things progressed quickly from there, and a year later, he created the HAG coffee brand.

How to get decaffeinated coffee?

Over time, it turned out that the benzene used by Roselius was toxic, and the process of producing decaffeinated coffee had to change dramatically. Decaffeination methods vary depending on the beans' country of origin and the desired product quality. These processes affect the flavor, aroma, and taste, but do not necessarily impair them—when done properly, the coffee retains its characteristic aroma and flavor. Currently, there are three most popular methods for producing decaffeinated coffee :

• using organic solvents,
• using water processes,
• using carbon dioxide.

Let's take a closer look at how decaffeinated coffee is made using each of these technologies.

Decaffeination using organic solvents

Decaffeinated coffee can be obtained using organic solvents – methylene chloride and ethyl acetate . How is this product made? While still green, the beans are treated with steam or hot water to increase their surface area and open their pores. The next step is to immerse them in a solvent for several hours. These substances bind exclusively to the caffeine, ensuring no interference with the coffee's flavor. After removing the beans, wait another few hours for any residual solvent to evaporate.

Does all the solvent disappear from the coffee ? Processes are used to remove the solvent as much as possible, but sometimes traces remain. However, if a producer wants to sell such coffee, it must meet strict standards established by law. For example, in the European Union, the permitted level of ethylene acetate in coffee is 2 mg per 1 kg of coffee. It's also worth emphasizing that both methylene chloride and ethyl acetate are substances that have been tested and are officially approved for use in food .

You're probably wondering what happens to the caffeine removed from coffee? Well, it's not wasted; it's reused in industries like the pharmaceutical industry and other food industries. Sometimes, it's even acquired by energy drink manufacturers, who use it to enhance their energy drinks.

Removing caffeine from coffee using water processes

Many people may wonder if, since various solvents are used for decaffeination, why not use the solvent we've known since childhood: water? Of course, you can – there are two water-based processes for removing caffeine from coffee :

• Swiss Water Process,
• Mountain Water Process – it differs from the Swiss process primarily in the use of pure water from glaciers.

Both methods utilize a similar procedure to that used for ethyl acetate and methylene chloride. Green beans are soaked in water until all soluble substances, including caffeine and flavor compounds, are washed out. The water, along with the dissolved coffee substances, then passes through carbon filters that retain the caffeine and return them to the beans, where they are infused with flavor and aroma. This natural and lengthy process also involves the irreversible loss of caffeine, which translates into a higher price. Its undoubted advantage, however, is the absence of synthetic chemicals used for decaffeination.

Use of carbon dioxide

The third most important method for making decaffeinated coffee is the use of supercritical carbon dioxide, a state between liquid and gas . The process begins with the beans being steamed, which are then placed in a special chamber containing CO2 at pressures of up to 300 atmospheres. This solution offers many advantages, including:

• non-toxicity of the substance used,
• no effect of CO2 on the flavor and aroma compounds contained in coffee,
• the possibility of selling caffeine extracted from beans.

However, the problem with this method is fundamental – it is a very expensive process, which is why it has not yet gained as much popularity as the other two methods of obtaining decaffeinated coffee.

Which decaf coffee is best? The taste of high-quality coffee.

Now that you know how decaf coffee is made, you're probably wondering which type of coffee to choose to avoid disappointment. The answer is quite simple – choose tested beans from a trusted supplier , and you'll enjoy delicious coffee every day, even while minimizing your caffeine intake.

If you are used to a classic flavor profile, choose a variety that is as close to regular coffee as possible - for example, a medium-roasted Arabica with an intense aroma.

It is also worth paying attention to the preparation method - decaffeinated coffee beans brewed in a moka pot, French press, automatic coffee machine or pressure coffee machine can produce completely different taste results.

Some might ask at this point, is decaffeinated coffee healthy, given the various decaffeination processes it undergoes? Yes, they do not negatively impact the beneficial properties of this coffee delicacy. Decaffeinated coffee beans from selected crops contain, among other things, antioxidants that help fight free radicals, which cause many diseases .

Are you looking for tried-and-true decaffeinated coffee for home ? Or perhaps you've run out of decaffeinated coffee for the office and need to replenish your supply? Our LaCava coffee roastery offers delicious Mustefa Abekeno decaffeinated coffee from Ethiopia . This unique, refreshing specialty coffee, with its rich flavor and aroma, will enhance your moment any time of day or night.

Summary

Decaffeinated coffee is a product that's becoming increasingly popular across Poland. It's often chosen by those struggling with various health ailments, such as insomnia, anxiety, headaches, and nausea. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as those who want to limit caffeine in their daily diet, are also becoming a fan. The decaffeinated whole-bean coffee available on our website is in no way inferior to traditional coffee with a higher caffeine content. Order it and secure unique beans with a caffeine content that doesn't exceed 0.1 mg per 100 g of coffee . You can enjoy a cup of aromatic coffee any time of day without worrying about the negative effects of caffeine!

Want to learn which coffee beans are best? Or perhaps you're curious about other topics in the world of coffee? Check out other posts on our blog and expand your knowledge on topics related to your beloved beverage.