Drinking coffee before starting your day has become a routine for many people. Thanks to its delicious taste, appetizing aroma, and energizing caffeine content, coffee is so popular for many more reasons.
Unfortunately, certain conditions require people to reduce their caffeine consumption, such as for health reasons. This is where decaffeinated coffee comes in handy!
Many coffee enthusiasts wonder: how do you decaffeinate coffee beans at home? Let’s explore this article to understand what decaffeinated coffee is and the factors to consider before buying it.
Table of Contents
What Is Decaffeinated Coffee?
Decaffeinated coffee is specially processed to remove 97% or more of its caffeine content. However, this doesn’t mean the caffeine is entirely eliminated; it’s just significantly reduced compared to regular coffee.
Strict regulations generally ensure that decaffeinated coffee available on the market is safe for consumption, even for people sensitive to caffeine. However, the safety and quality of the coffee can vary depending on the decaffeination method used and whether or not chemical solvents are involved.
When discussing the side effects of decaffeinated coffee, it’s important to note that it can cause indigestion or mild allergic reactions in a small percentage of people. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before consuming it.
Also read: Can You Drink Decaf Coffee While Pregnant?
Key Differences Between Decaf vs Regular Coffee Beans
There are significant differences between decaf and regular coffee beans. Here are the distinguishing factors you should know, from the taste to the caffeine content.
1. Taste
Decaf coffee has a milder flavor than regular coffee. Why does this happen? Decaffeination reduces the unique compounds that give regular coffee a rich taste.
However, recent technology has helped manufacturers to produce decaf coffee that tastes just like regular coffee!
2. Aroma
In terms of aroma, decaf coffee usually has an aroma that is less intense than regular coffee. Like before, the compounds that give coffee its distinctive flavor and aroma are partially removed in decaffeination.
However, many premium decaf coffees now offer the same delicious aroma as regular coffee.
3. Health Benefits
Is decaffeinated coffee healthier? Decaf coffee can be considered more beneficial for some people because it reduces the side effects of caffeine, such as excessive anxiety, insomnia, and high blood pressure.
Therefore, it can be a safer choice for people with anxiety and sensitivity to caffeine stimulation.
4. Caffeine Level
Is caffeine entirely removed from decaf? As it turns out, decaf coffee beans still contain smaller amounts of caffeine, around 2-5 milligrams per cup. The amount is still much lower than regular coffee, with a caffeine content of 70-140 milligrams per cup.
Decaf coffee can still provide a slightly milder stimulant effect than regular coffee despite the small amount.
Also read: How to Roast Decaf Coffee Beans: Everything You Need to Know
Labelling Regulations and Standards for Decaffeinated Coffee
In some countries, local governments regulate labeling food and beverage products. Of course, decaffeinated coffee labeling is not an exception.
A coffee can only be labeled decaf when it meets specified caffeine standards. In the USA alone, decaf coffee must have less than 0.1% caffeine by weight.
From this regulation, every consumer becomes more aware of the details of the products they consume. They can also compare caffeine-free coffee with coffee that has low caffeine levels.
Considerations When Purchasing Decaffeinated Coffee
Before understanding how to decaffeinate coffee, we must consider the following factors when choosing decaf coffee. Let’s take a look at them one by one!
1. Decaffeination Method
The method used to decaffeinate the beans is very important as it can affect the final flavor and quality of the product. Make sure to choose a brand that uses a safe and effective method.
2. Quality of Coffee Beans
As is the case with all types of coffee, the quality of the beans dramatically affects the final flavor. Choose a brand that uses high-quality beans for the best experience.
3. Source of Coffee Beans
Considering the origin of the beans is also essential; beans from specific regions may have unique flavor profiles that will affect your drinking experience.
Also read: Getting to Know Green Coffee Beans by Region Map
How Do You Decaffeinate Coffee?
Do you want to do your decaffeination process at home? How do you decaffeinate coffee beans? Here are four decaffeinated methods that you can follow!
Solvent-Based Methods
If you prefer an efficient process, try using the solvent-based method. However, it is controversial because people are afraid of the chemicals mixed in the coffee beans.
1. The Direct Method
Here, you directly soak the coffee beans in water mixed with methylene chloride or ethyl acetate, two types of special solvents that will bind the caffeine content in the coffee beans.
After soaking, wash the beans thoroughly so no solvents stick to them. Dry and then roast as usual.
2. The Indirect Method
The second method is to immerse the coffee beans in hot water so that the caffeine will dissolve along with other flavor compounds.
This water will then be mixed with a special solvent. Once completely caffeine-free, the beans are again soaked with this water to restore the lost flavor compounds.
Non-Solvent-based Method
The second type of caffeine removal is the non-solvent method, which is more natural and chemical-free. These two methods are considered the best ways to decaffeinate coffee beans safely and efficiently!
1. CO2 Method
In this method, you will use supercritical carbon dioxide, an excellent caffeine solvent that does not affect other flavor compounds. This method is efficient and safe, but you must invest in expensive equipment!
2. Swiss Water Method
The last way you can decaffeinate coffee beans is by using Swiss water. This involves submerging the coffee beans in hot water to extract the caffeine easily.
Afterward, the water will pass through a carbon filter to remove the caffeine without changing the flavor compounds in the water. Afterward, the coffee beans will be soaked again for caffeine-free flavor compounds.
Also read: How to Roast Decaf Coffee Beans: Everything You Need to Know
Elevate Your Coffee Experience with Premium Indonesian Coffee
After understanding the guide on how do you decaffeinate coffee beans, making high-quality decaf coffee is easy! With its mild flavor and delicate aroma, decaffeinated coffee is the perfect choice for people limiting their caffeine intake.
Want to produce high-quality decaf coffee? Get quality coffee beans from Indonesia first at FnB Coffee.
From Arabica, Robusta, and Specialty coffee, each of them has its unique aroma and flavor, so you can explore which varieties are suitable for decaf coffee!
Still trying to understand which coffee beans suit your taste? Visit our best-seller catalog or ask our team for more information.
Discover the best flavors and aromas of Indonesian coffee and enjoy the taste of coffee without worrying about the side effects of caffeine.
