Decaf coffee beans explained
You love great quality speciality coffee, in fact, you can’t get enough of it, right? If you feel the same way we do about coffee but are looking to restrict your intake a little, why not consider some decaf coffee beans?
There’s a bit of a perception that decaf coffee just isn’t as good as the real deal, and yes, for the most part we tend to agree – but there are exceptions, and we have been working hard to make sure we have one of those exceptions to offer.
Decaf coffee is a popular alternative to regular caffeinated coffee for those who want to enjoy the flavour and aroma of coffee without the caffeine. But how is decaf coffee made, and why is it a great option for those looking to cut back on caffeine? In this article, we’ll explore the process by which decaf coffee is made and discuss the various benefits of decaf coffee. If you fancy it, you can get an overview of all things specialty coffee elsewhere in our blog along with some guidance on coffee brewing at home.
The process of making decaf coffee involves removing the caffeine from regular coffee beans. There are several methods that can be used to do this, including the following:
Firstly, lets cover Sugar Cane Decaf Coffee:
Sugar cane decaf coffee is a type of decaffeinated coffee that is made using a natural decaffeination process that utilizes sugar cane extract. This process is also known as the “natural” or “Swiss water” process.
Sugarcane decaffeination utilizes a naturally occurring by product from local sugar production to decaffeinate coffee.
Decaffeinated coffee is pretty similar to regular coffee beans but with most of the caffeine removed, yes – most! Decaf coffee still contains a very small amount of caffeine as this can’t be removed completely, but it holds about 3-5% off the caffeine in an equivalent caffeinated cup of coffee.
For example, a regular cup of coffee has around 95 milligrams of caffeine whilst a cup of decaffeinated coffee has around 2-4 milligrams of caffeine in I according to the ncausa.
We find that our decaf bean is loved by those looking to keep caffeine intake to a minimum for whatever reason, or by coffee lovers who just don’t want to be bouncing off the walls after several cups of fully caffeinated coffee each day! Give our sugar cane decaf beans ‘daydream decaf’ a go and let us know what you think – we think you might struggle to tell the difference against some speciality coffee blends!
The sugar cane extract is derived from the juice of the sugar cane plant and is a natural, renewable resource. It is considered a more environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to chemical solvents, such as methylene chloride or ethyl acetate, which are often used in the decaffeination process.
Sugar cane decaf coffee is considered a high-quality, specialty coffee and is often more expensive than other types of decaf coffee for these reasons. It is known for its clean, smooth flavour and is a popular choice for those who are looking for a natural, chemical-free decaf option.
In conclusion, sugar cane decaf coffee is a type of decaffeinated coffee that is made using a natural decaffeination process that utilizes sugar cane extract. This process, for the suitability and taste benefits, is what we at Figment Coffee use when producing our wonderful daydream decaf coffee beans.
At Figment Coffee, we have endeavoured to perfectly roast a delicious decaf coffee which can stack up to the taste profile that you would expect from Figment specialty coffee and we are pretty confident in the result. 250g bags of our decaf can be purchased on our online coffee shop linked here.
Other decaffeination processes include:
Water process
The water process involves soaking the coffee beans in hot water to extract the caffeine and other flavour compounds. The water is then filtered through activated charcoal to remove the caffeine, and the flavoured water is returned to the beans to restore their flavour. This process is often considered the most natural and gentle method for decaffeination.
Solvent process
The solvent process involves using chemical solvents, such as methylene chloride or ethyl acetate, to extract the caffeine from the coffee beans. The solvents dissolve the caffeine but leave the flavour compounds intact. The beans are then rinsed to remove the solvents. This method is generally faster and more efficient than the water process, but it may leave trace amounts of solvents on the beans.
Carbon dioxide process
The carbon dioxide process involves using supercritical carbon dioxide, which exists in a state between liquid and gas, to extract the caffeine from the coffee beans. The caffeine is then separated from the carbon dioxide, which is returned to its original state and can be re-used. This method is considered environmentally friendly and leaves no trace residues on the beans.
Decaf coffee can be a great alternative to regular caffeinated coffee. For one, it allows coffee drinkers to enjoy both the process of making and the flavour and aroma of a delicious cup of coffee without the stimulant effects of caffeine. This can be particularly beneficial for those who are sensitive to caffeine, have trouble sleeping, or want to cut back on caffeine for other health reasons.
In addition, it is also a good option for those who want to enjoy coffee at any time of day without worrying about the stimulating effects of caffeine… a better option that cutting off intake after 12pm! This can be especially helpful for those who are sensitive to caffeine and experience jitters or other unpleasant side effects from regular coffee.
It’s also a good choice for those who want to enjoy the potential health benefits of coffee without the added caffeine. Coffee is considered by some as a rich source of antioxidants and, although we are certainly not experts, a little research shows it has been linked by some to a number of health benefits.
It’s worth noting, however, that decaf coffee is not completely caffeine-free. While the decaffeination process removes most of the caffeine, there may still be trace amounts remaining in the beans. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), decaf coffee must contain less than 0.10% caffeine by weight to be labelled as decaf.
Decaf coffee may not have the same kick as regular coffee, but it’s still a delicious and enjoyable beverage for us coffee lovers who want to cut back on caffeine. Whether you’re looking to reduce your caffeine intake for health reasons, want to get the joy of a cup of coffee without the overload or simply want to switch things up, decaf coffee is a great option. So, the next time you’re at a coffee shop, ideally Figment in Aberdeen, Scotland , don’t be afraid to give our daydream decaf a try! Who knows, you may just discover a new favourite coffee and let’s be honest, any ideas to help consume more coffee, are good ideas by us!
