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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Lovers of coffee everywhere have all heard the controversial question asked, “What is the point in drinking decaf?” The majority of coffee drinkers enjoy the sense- pleasing benefits that coffee offers as well as the physical reaction that is attributed to the caffeine in coffee. The opposite groups of coffee drinkers also enjoy the aroma and flavor of coffee, but are more cautious of the physical reaction that caffeinated coffee produces. Due to health reasons, or simply favor of sleep, a rising majority of coffee drinkers are choosing decaffeinated coffee. Decaffeinated coffee not only provides an individual with the sense-pleasing benefits, but it also offers the health benefits, such as antioxidants, found in coffee.

Once a coffee lover has established that they will benefit from drinking decaffeinated coffee, the questioned that must then be asked is, “Which decaf method is most beneficial?” A few common decaf methods are the direct method, indirect method, triglyceride method, and Swiss water process. The controversies between the methods are whether or not chemicals are used, which chemicals are used, and whether or not the taste and aroma of the coffee is jeopardized. Most arguably the Swiss Water Process is the most beneficial method. Through the Swiss Water Process the coffee is decaffeinated 100% free of chemicals.

The Swiss Water Process was developed by the Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company. To decaffeinate the coffee bean by the Swiss Water method, a batch of green (unroasted) beans is soaked in hot water, releasing caffeine. When all the caffeine and coffee solids are released into the water, the beans are discarded. The water then passes through a carbon filter that traps caffeine but lets the coffee solids pass through. The resulting solution, called “flavor-charged” water by the company, is then put in a similar filtration device, and new coffee beans are added. Since the flavor-charged water cannot remove any of the coffee solids from the new beans, only the caffeine is released. The process repeats, filtering out all the caffeine until the beans are 99.9% caffeine free. These beans are removed and dried, and thus retain most if not all of their flavour and smell.

Other decaffeinated processes use claims such as “water process” or “natural process”, when in actuality chemicals are used. Methylene chloride or ethyl acetate is used in processes like the Direct Method or the Indirect Method. Sometimes coffees which are decaffeinated using ethyl acetate are referred to as a natural process because ethyl acetate can be derived from various fruits or vegetables, but because of the impracticality of gathering natural ethyl acetate, the chemical used for decaffeination is synthetic.

Many companies affiliated with coffee have recognized that the Swiss Water method is the most beneficial and recognizable decaffeination process. The Coffee Beanery, a Michigan based company, provides Swiss Water Process decaffeinated coffee. The Coffee Beanery has many stores located nationally as well as internationally. Among many caffeinated coffee bean choices, the company also offers straight SWP coffees as well as several flavored SWP coffees. With SWP flavors such as Café Carmel, French Vanilla, Toasted Almond, and Michigan Cherry, any decaf coffee drinker will have their coffee needs met.

Visit any location near you or order from the website at http://www.coffeebeanery.com.

Erin Christensen

-Coffee Beanery

Author: Erin Christensen
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If your doctor has told you to cut back or even eliminate caffeine you probably left the office in a state of semi-panic. Coffee holds a special place in many people’s daily routine. It’s not always the caffeine that makes people love coffee, for some it is the flavor and aroma that excite the senses. So what are you to do now that you can’t enjoy your piping hot mug of hazelnut coffee? Don’t despair, despite what you might know, gourmet coffee is available in decaffeinated varieties.

Gourmet coffee producers finally realized that they had to produce decaffeinated versions to keep up with the ever-growing population of health wise individuals. The taste of decaf coffees may be slightly different than that of regular roast coffees but it can still be flavored and have a nice flavor to them.

Typically there are two methods for decaffeinating coffee. With either of the processes it is done before the beans are roasted and a little of the flavor of the bean is lost. One process uses a solvent to absorb the caffeine from the beans and then they are washed to remove the solvent.

The alternative process uses a method called the Swiss Water method. There are no chemicals used, which for some people is important. The coffee beans are instead treated with hot water and steam to remove the caffeine; however, they also lose some of their oils which is where their flavor lies.

In order to retain more flavor during the decaffeination process, the very best green coffee beans must be used. This of course means you, the consumer, will pay more for the coffee, but you won’t be as disappointed with the flavor.

Once the coffee beans are decaffeinated, gourmet coffee companies can create those wonderful flavors coffee enthusiasts have come to love. Not every coffee bean or variety is available in a decaf version. If you want a rich Jamaican or Ethiopian decaf coffee you will be disappointed. Part of the richness in these coffees is in the caffeine.

Where to find Decaf Gourmet Coffees

Your local grocer likely carries some flavored coffees in decaf, but to find the truly gourmet, flavorful versions you should look to gourmet shops, either online or in your local area. For true, full flavor be prepared to pay a little more than your typical shelf brand decafs.

Arabica Coffee the Arabica Reserve Blend Decaf coffee is an excellent decaffeinated coffee that does not have that lingering after taste that many cheaper decafs do.

One of the top rated decaffeinated coffees available, as judged by Food & Wine Magazine comes from Volcanica Coffee. Volcanica Coffee beans come from some of the best coffee growing regions in the world such as Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Hawaii. The most popular of their coffees is the Costa Rican Blend.

Coffee enthusiasts who are looking for both a decaf coffee and an organic coffee should try Caffe Appassionato. These organically grown coffee beans are processed using the Swiss Water method and roasted at very low temperatures to create a near perfect decaf coffee.

While there are many shelf brands of decaffeinated coffee available, true coffee lovers will find more satisfaction in the beans that have been carefully processed just for decaf lovers. Buying from the local grocer may save some money but in the end these coffees will leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

Sharon V Chapman writes on the joys of coffee and provides information on gourmet decaf coffee for Gourmet Coffee Guide.

Author: Sharon V Chapman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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