Coffee

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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The vast majority of coffees from around the world are either Arabica or Robusta. Arabica has about 60-80% of the market. It tends to be better flavored and have less caffeine than the Robusta, but some Robustas are good by themselves and they’re frequently blended with Arabica.

Various other coffee types make up the rest of the market, but they aren’t what you’re going to find on your grocery store shelf. For example, Kona coffee comes from the Hawaiian islands and is a relatively rare, quite expensive bean. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is also rare and expensive. More so when hurricanes wipe out the crop. Look into specialty coffee shops or online stores and see what they have to offer. Explore a little and you might just find the perfect bean.

Traditionally, the owners of the coffee plantations, coffee brokers, and the processing companies made pretty much all the money from the coffee we buy. The people doing the actual work and harvesting made pennies. Fair trade coffee is an attempt to change that. The Fair Trade program tries to ensure that the workers and growers get a fair share of the price of the coffee. So while “Fair Trade” coffee isn’t a different kind of bean the intent behind it might make that coffee taste a little better.

If you’re looking to buy the fancier coffee beans (pre-roasted) just go to your favorite coffee house (Peet’s Coffee, Starbucks, or where ever) or your favorite grocery store. More and more stores are starting to carry the fancier coffees. You can either grind the beans right there in the store, or take them home to do yourself. More and more people are going this route, rather than buying ground coffee in a can. (Does it taste like mud because it was ground?)

Green coffee is coffee that has not yet been roasted. The “cherry” may have been removed and the beans dried, but that’s it. What you find in the stores has been roasted and processed. An advantage to the green coffee is that it stores very well.

You could buy a quantity of your favorite coffee in its green state, and then roast small amounts when the mood suits you. That way you’ll always have the freshest coffee. Of course, you’ll have to make room on your kitchen counter for a coffee roaster, along with whatever type of coffee maker you own. Coffee roasters are available in a variety of styles and price ranges, just like coffee makers. Many online stores, such as Amazon.com, have a great selection in all price ranges. Some of these are the single cup coffee machines, which are great for the person on the go. Instead of having 10 or 12 cups cooking away you make just the one cup, to your taste, and off you go.

We’re all familiar with the old style drip coffee pot, of course. Load the coffee, boil and brew, and serve many. While many of us still like this style of coffee, there is a rapid growth in the number of people buying espresso machines.

An espresso coffee machine differs a bit from the standard machine. Espresso is made when highly pressurized steam is forced through packed down, finely ground coffee. The first few drops out contain the concentrated goodness of the coffee and the standard serving is just over one ounce. It’ll wake you right up. If it doesn’t, have another.

Coffee machines vary greatly in features and price. The fancier machines will wash the dishes and clean the kitchen. Well, maybe not. But some of them will not only brew your coffee or espresso, they’ll grind the beans! All you do is pour your coffee beans in one end, hit the button, and a fresh cup of coffee or espresso comes out.

What’s in a cup of coffee? Stop on by the Bmall Coffee House and check out the various coffees and coffee machines. See what strikes your fancy. 2006 by Greg Mee and bmall.com. Permission to use this article is granted as long as the links remain live.

Author: Greg Mee
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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