Decaf Coffee
WHAT IS DECAFFEINATED COFFEE?
How is it made?
Decaf coffee is just like regular coffee, except the caffeine has been removed. Decaffeinated coffee is not caffeine-free, as each cup contains about 0–7 mg. However, this is much less than the amount found in regular coffee. An average cup of regular coffee contains about 70–140 mg of caffeine, depending on the core type, preparation method, and cup size.
There are many ways to remove caffeine from coffee beans. Most of them include water, organic solvents, or carbon dioxide. Coffee beans are washed in the solvent until the caffeine has been extracted from it, then the
solvent is removed. Caffeine can also be removed using carbon dioxide or a charcoal filter — a method known as the Swiss Water Process.
The beans are decaffeinated before they’re roasted and ground. The nutritional value of decaf coffee should be almost identical to regular coffee, apart from the caffeine content. However, the taste and smell may become a little milder, and the color may change, depending on the method used. This can make decaf more pleasing to those who are sensitive to the bitter taste and smell of regular coffee.
