People often wonder how they take the caffeine out of coffee. Though this is a question most have never pondered, recent reports have emerged showing decaffeinated coffee can be bad for your health. Here are the facts you need to know in order to make an informed decision when you purchase decaf coffee:
Two Different Kinds of Beans
There are two kinds of coffee that are grown: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica has about twice the amount of caffeine in it as Robusta, and therefore this type of coffee is usually used to make normal, caffeinated coffee, espresso, and most other coffee drinks. Robusta is usually used to make decaffeinated coffee, since it starts out with a much lower caffeine level to begin with. The caffeine is then removed from the beans using one of the following methods.
Decaffeination Methods
There are a few different ways that you can separate the caffeine from the coffee beans. These days, most decaf coffee is produced using a process that removes the caffeine from the coffee beans using a solvent. The two types of solvents that are used are methylene chloride and ethyl acetate. The first of these solvents, methylene chloride is on the National Cancer Institute’s list as a possible human carcinogen. Though the solvents are rinsed from the coffee beans, residues often remain as it is quite difficult to remove all of the substance. Although the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t declared the use of these solvents unsafe for human consumption, many people are choosing to drink decaf coffee produced using an alternative method.
A second method that is used to produce decaffeinated coffee is called the Swiss Water Process. Currently, only twenty percent of the world’s decaf coffee is produced this way. This process does not use any harsh chemical substances, and relies only on the use of hot water to separate the coffee from the beans. This process takes longer to complete than with other methods, but there is no residue on the beans afterward. Health experts generally agree that this is the healthiest way to produce decaf coffee.
Although most decaffeinated coffee for sale today uses solvents, decaf produced using the Swiss Water Process is readily available as well. Since the Swiss Water Process does not involve the use of solvents, it is considered to be of better quality and taste. Most organic decaf is produced this way, and it is nearly always clearly marked on the label. Any specialty coffee shop should know which process was used on their decaf beans, and it also readily available for purchase on the internet.
Decaffeinated coffee is best when used in an electric drip coffee maker.
Chad Damon is the author of the guide to the best cheap coffee makers.
Author: Chad Damon
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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