Are you a coffee lover who wishes you could drink it more often during the day or at night? You’ve probably heard of decaf, but maybe you’ve hesitated because you’re not sure how it’s made, what’s used, or whether it tastes as satisfying as other coffees.
You’re not alone in wondering about these questions. Many coffee lovers want another way to enjoy their passion for a delicious cup, but with less caffeine. So, let’s grab a mug, sit down, and explore all the details about how coffee is decaffeinated and how it tastes.
What Is Decaf Coffee?
Decaf coffee is where the caffeine that’s naturally present has been removed from the beans. It’s popular with coffee lovers who want to drink coffee at night or for those who might be sensitive to caffeine but want to enjoy more of those delicious flavors and aromas of a freshly brewed cup.
While early methods often sacrificed flavor to remove the caffeine, modern methods are much gentler. Today, decaf beans can produce a cup that still preserves the flavors and characters that make each origin unique, just with far less caffeine, giving people the flexibility to enjoy coffee whenever they like.
When Is Coffee Decaffeinated?
There are different methods of decaffeinating coffee, which can influence both sustainability and flavor. But the caffeine is always removed after harvesting and processing, while the beans are still green (before roasting).
Green beans are used because they’re more porous and better able to absorb water (and solvents, if used), making it easier to remove the caffeine without damaging the beans.
And once the beans are decaffeinated, they’re dried and roasted like regular coffee.
How Is Caffeine Removed from Coffee Beans?
Our coffee is decaffeinated using the Natural Water Process (not the Swiss method) using the same high quality certified organic, Fair Trade beans that we source through long-term partnerships with farmer cooperatives. This way, everything about our decaf (its variety, origin, and processing) remains the same as our caffeinated coffees.
We choose the water method because there are no chemical solvents used in the process, just water and carbon, making it much more sustainable while eliminating the risk of chemical residues on the beans and in the environment.
This method takes advantage of the fact that caffeine is soluble in water, especially hot water. The beans are soaked in hot water for a period of time to draw out the caffeine.
Then the solution is passed through an activated carbon filter that catches the caffeine molecules while leaving behind the water, oils, and flavors. More time in the water allows the oils and flavors to be reabsorbed into the beans. The beans are then air-dried and they’re ready to be carefully roasted.
The result is a bean that’s about 99.9% caffeine-free without sacrificing taste, so you can still brew a great cup of coffee!
Other Coffee Decaffeination Methods
Now let’s take a look at some other methods used. Notice how they all use water to do the work of releasing the caffeine!
Chemical Solvents
Even though caffeine is highly water-soluble, chemical solvents are still the primary method used, removing around 99% of the caffeine.
These methods typically involve steaming the beans and submerging them in hot water to open their pores and release the caffeine. The green beans are then either repeatedly rinsed with solvent (direct method) or the solvents are added only to the solution (indirect method). Either way, solvents are used to remove the caffeine from the water.
So, what chemical solvents are used? Back in 1903, a German scientist named Ludwig Roselius developed a method using benzene and seawater that he later patented. This method was used for years until it was discovered that benzene is a known carcinogen, leading to its phase-out across the food and beverage industry.
Then manufacturers switched to ethyl acetate and methylene chloride (not to be confused with methyl chloride).
Many call ethyl acetate the 'natural decaf method' because it can be derived from sugarcane and other agricultural products. However, it’s not quite as effective at removing caffeine as water alone can be, and ethyl acetate is used in things like nail polish remover, so some consumers don’t find it appealing.
Swiss Water Method
The Swiss Water Process is very much like the natural water process, except it’s a proprietary method involving soaking green coffee and discarding the first batch of beans. The resulting solution is run through activated carbon filtration to remove the caffeine, at which point it’s called green coffee extract, which is then used to decaffeinate a new batch of beans.
Using the green coffee extract is believed to help coffees retain their natural flavors, and up to 10 batches can be done with the same solution before a new batch is made.
The major drawback is that it’s not very sustainable since it wastes a batch of beans for every 10 batches of decaf.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Process
The carbon dioxide process also doesn’t use synthetic chemicals, instead relying on CO₂ under extremely high pressure. Again, green beans are soaked in water first before being placed in an extraction vessel infused with liquid CO₂ at 1,000 pounds of pressure per square inch. When complete, the CO₂ is turned back into a gas to naturally separate the caffeine, and then the CO₂ is used again.
The biggest downside of this method is the very expensive specialty equipment it requires.
Does Decaf Coffee Taste Different?
Not ours! Because we begin with the same exceptional coffees we source through long-term partnerships with farmer cooperatives, our certified organic, Fair Trade shade-grown decaf coffees reflect the same care and attention as every other coffee we roast.
We only use the natural water method, which is gentler on the beans and preserves their unique origin characteristics. We then carefully roast them to create delicious brews that you wouldn’t even know were decaf unless someone told you!
However, not all decaf is created equal. Some people feel that chemical solvents strip some of the original flavors, resulting in a flatter, duller flavor profile. And because solvent-based decaffeination can mask inferior flavors, some manufacturers use lower-quality beans. Lastly, not all producers take into account the additional care needed when roasting decaf beans.
What About Half-Caf Coffee?
Half-caf coffees are popular with coffee lovers looking for something more in between. These are blends made by mixing decaffeinated and regular beans at a 1:1 ratio.
Our certified organic, Fair Trade South American Half-Caf is a medium-dark blend of classic caffeinated Colombian from Cooperativa del Sur del Cauca (CoSurCa) and our best-selling Peruvian French Roast Decaf from Pangoa Cooperative. It hits the sweet spot, with plenty of flavor but half the caffeine, so you can enjoy even more.
But what if you want a different blend? No problem! You can blend your own at home. Or, to avoid having to stockpile coffee for blending, our customers can also create their very own custom blends. You can use virtually any combination and percentage of decaffeinated beans you want, so feel free to get creative!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Decaf Coffee Completely Caffeine Free?
Technically, decaf coffees aren't 100% caffeine-free, as small traces still remain. However, depending on the decaffeination method used (solvents, water, or CO₂), they are generally between 97% and 99.9% caffeine-free.
Which Decaf Process Is the Most Natural?
The most natural decaf method is the Natural Water Process, which only uses water and activated carbon to remove the caffeine, which is water-soluble. Ethyl acetate is sometimes advertised as a natural method, but it still uses a chemical solvent, even if it’s naturally derived.
All the Flavor, Less of the Buzz
Decaf coffee has come a long way since the days of benzene and seawater at the turn of the last century.
Now, decaffeinated coffees can be made naturally, simply using hot water and activated carbon; no chemical solvents are needed. And the result? Coffee that still retains the unique characteristics of its origins, so you get a delicious cup with all the flavor and aroma but less of the buzz, so you can enjoy it day or night.
If you’re ready to explore tasty decaf with the flavor of regular coffee, check out our collection of certified organic, Fair Trade shade-grown decaf coffees.
