Decaffeinated coffee has long stopped being the bland exception it once was. But how is decaffeinated coffee actually made, and how much caffeine is left in it? In this article you will read how decaf is produced, which methods exist and what to look for when choosing.
What exactly is decaffeinated coffee?
Decaffeinated coffee, also known as decaf, is regular coffee from which almost all caffeine has been removed. This always happens before roasting, while the beans are still green. Within the European Union, coffee may only be called decaffeinated if the roasted beans contain a maximum of 0.1% caffeine. In practice, a cup of decaf therefore still contains about 2 to 5 milligrams of caffeine, compared to 60 to 90 milligrams in a regular cup of coffee.
So decaf is not completely caffeine-free, but the amount is so small that most people do not notice it at all.
How decaffeination works
All methods follow the same principle: the green beans are moistened, which makes the caffeine soluble. The caffeine is then extracted from the bean using a solvent or water. The art is to remove the caffeine without affecting the hundreds of flavour compounds in the bean. Afterwards the beans are dried and roasted just like regular coffee.
The four best-known decaf methods
Four methods are most commonly used in the coffee industry:
- The Swiss Water method: the caffeine is removed using only water and a carbon filter, without chemical solvents. This method is popular in specialty coffee and preserves a lot of flavour.
- The CO2 method: under high pressure, liquid carbon dioxide binds to the caffeine and carries it away. A clean and precise method, mainly used for larger volumes.
- The ethyl acetate method: ethyl acetate is a compound that occurs naturally in fruit and sugar cane. Decaf made this way is therefore often called sugarcane decaf and has a slightly sweet touch.
- The methylene chloride method: a classic solvent that binds caffeine very selectively. Residual values are strictly regulated and evaporate almost completely during roasting.
Does decaffeinated coffee taste different?
Decaf used to have a mediocre reputation, and not entirely without reason. The decaffeination process was rough and the beans used were often of lesser quality. That has changed. Modern methods are much more precise, and brands such as illy and Lavazza use the same quality beans for their decaf as for their regular blends.
Still, the decaffeination process can slightly influence the taste. Decaf sometimes tastes a little softer and less bitter, because caffeine itself is a bitter compound. Well-made decaffeinated coffee, however, comes very close to the original in taste, especially as espresso or cappuccino.
Who is decaf a good choice for?
Decaffeinated coffee is useful in more situations than you might think:
- You are sensitive to caffeine and it makes you restless or gives you palpitations.
- You want a nice cup of coffee in the evening without sleeping worse.
- You are pregnant and want to limit your caffeine intake.
- You drink many cups a day and want to replace some of them with decaf.
Many coffee drinkers therefore combine regular coffee during the day with decaf after dinner. That way you do not have to give anything up.
What to look for when buying decaf
First look at the brewing method you use at home: decaffeinated coffee is available as beans, ground coffee, pads and capsules. Then look at the decaffeination method if that matters to you; Swiss Water and sugarcane decaf in particular are often mentioned on the packaging. And just like with regular coffee, pay attention to the roast and intensity that suit your taste.
Curious about what there is to choose from? In our overview of all coffee you will also find the decaffeinated variants of well-known brands, from beans to capsules. That way you can taste for yourself that a good cup of coffee without caffeine can be just as enjoyable as the original.
0 comments