Decaffeinated Coffee and Processes 

To many of us, there is something about a cup of coffee that feels like a daily ritual. Perhaps it’s a warm way to wake up, or a grounded way to start the day, or maybe even just a reason to share time with someone else.

But what if you want all of those things, but not the caffeine that is seemingly a part of it? Whether for health reasons or just to cut back on those late afternoon jitters, decaf can be a great option for any time of the day. But, how does decaf coffee work? Does it still taste like the real thing? Some may even ask “what is the point?” Let’s take a look at how the coffee decaffeination process works so we can answer all these questions.

What is Decaf Coffee?

Though there are varieties of coffee that have higher or lower caffeine content, there is no such thing as coffee that is grown out of the ground as decaf. Decaf coffee starts its life just as all other coffee does. It’s grown, harvested, and then processed.

The difference comes in the added step before it is shipped away to coffee roasters like us. That added step is the decaffeination process, and it is what makes a decaf coffee what it is. While this step can never truly remove every trace of caffeine, a cup of decaf coffee has 97% less caffeine than a standard cup. 

How Does Decaf Coffee Work?

To put it simply, decaffeination is all about applying a method that selectively extracts the caffeine out but still leaves the rest of what makes coffee flavorful.

Given that caffeine is so tightly bound to coffee's structure (fun fact: it’s actually a natural pest deterrent for the plant), this process is easier said than done. But it can be done well, preserving coffees natural flavor; and brewed well too! You can brew decaf coffee the same way as regular, even as espresso.

The Decaffeination Process

There are a few ways we can achieve our goal of making decaf coffee. Each method can have an impact on the flavor and overall quality of the cup we drink. Here’s how it’s done:

Solvent-based methods

One way we can remove the caffeine from the coffee is by way of a natural or synthetic solvent. The two main types are:

• Direct Solvent Method - Back in the early 1900s, a German man named Ludwig Roselius noticed that when coffee beans got soaked in seawater, they lost caffeine but still tasted good. He took that idea and started steaming beans and rinsing them with a chemical solvent (originally benzene, which we now know is not great for you). Now, they use solvents like ethyl acetate “sugar cane process” or Methylene Chloride to wash the caffeine out. This method only removes the caffeine, and does a pretty thorough job of it; however, methylene chloride in high concentrations is dangerous for human health. Luckily, the residual levels of MC used in the coffee industry are significantly lower than the levels deemed safe by the FDA. Another popular solvent is ethyl acetate, or the “sugar cane method”. Ethyl acetate is a naturally occurring compound from sugarcane molasses fermentation, and is considered safe as well.

• Indirect Solvent Method - Whereas the direct method had the solvent contact the beans directly, the indirect method does not. In this method the beans are soaked in hot water, which will cause the coffee seeds to “open up” and swell, making it easier to extract everything from the beans. This pulls out the caffeine and all of the compounds that give a cup of coffee its taste. A solvent is then put into the resulting water to remove the caffeine. Once that is done, the beans are then reintroduced to the flavor-rich water. This method is more lengthy, but results in a coffee that has some of its original taste. 

Water Process Decaf Coffee (Swiss Water Process®)

For those (us here at Pinup included) that would prefer a chemical-free approach to decaffeination, the Swiss Water Process is a favorite. Here’s how this method works:

• No chemicals here- just water and a charcoal filter.

• The whole process is based on something called “green coffee extract.”

• An initial run of coffee beans is soaked in hot water, which again opens the pores and extracts the caffeine and flavor compounds from the coffee.

• Then, the caffeine filled water is filtered through activated charcoal to remove the caffeine.

• We now have our green coffee extract full of coffee flavor but no caffeine.

• That water is used to soak a new, fresh batch of beans.

• Since the water is already saturated with all that makes coffee taste the way it does none of those compounds get pulled out. But, since the water is lacking caffeine, all the beans' caffeine is extracted.

• And then round and round the green coffee extract water goes. Through the charcoal filter to rid the caffeine and then back to a fresh batch of beans to be “recharged” with caffeine.

• You can almost think of the green coffee extract as a sponge, soaking up the caffeine in every new batch of coffee it touches and then it gets rung out by the carbon filter.

This decaffeination process is by far the favorite amongst specialty coffee roasters, because it maintains the integrity of what the coffee naturally has to offer, with the added bonus of it also being a chemical free approach. 

Triglyceride Process (Using Coffee Oils)

This process is another direct-contact method of extracting the caffeine. It is very similar to the swiss water process, in that a solution (this time the natural oils from old coffee grounds) is used to pull the caffeine from the coffee beans and then the solution is filtered to remove the caffeine it extracted from the coffee. As with many of the other methods, the green coffee is soaked in a hot water and coffee solution which pulls the caffeine to the outer portion of the bean. The beans are then immersed in coffee oils which were gathered from used coffee grounds. The beans are left for several hours in this mixture, exposed to high temperatures. The triglycerides (hence the name) in the coffee oils pull the caffeine out, but not the flavor compounds. The coffee is then separated from the oils and left to dry, finishing the process.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Process

Of the decaffeination processes, this one is the most high-tech (and costly energy-wise). This method involves using highly pressurized carbon dioxide, or liquid CO2 for the patented Carbonic Natural process. The CO2, being under so much pressure, acts as a solvent that dissolves caffeine and leaves the oils and other flavor compounds intact. The CO2 is then scrubbed of its caffeine content and reused.

This method is not quite as commonly seen as the other two methods, mostly because high-tech typically equates to high-dollar, but it is considered to be more efficient and it is also said to produce just as high, if not higher, quality decaf coffee than the swiss water process.

What is the Point of Decaf Coffee?

The joke is always out there, why does it even exist? After all, isn’t coffee all about caffeine? Coffee has much more to it than just the caffeine. For many, the appeal of coffee that doesn’t have caffeine brings joy to their lives. We like to equate it to the world of tea. There are loads and loads of different teas out there from across the world. Some are caffeinated and others are not, and yet folks still love them both in their own right. Here’s some reasons why some may have decaf coffee in their lineup:

• Reduced Anxiety and Jitters - Caffeine affects everyone differently. Some people love the energy boost, while others may just experience that same boost as anxiety and restlessness. 

• Sleep - Sensitivity to caffeine is a real thing. Some can have three triple shots after dinner and sleep like a baby. For others, even one cup in the afternoon can have them up all night staring at the ceiling wondering where it all went wrong. Decaf lets you indulge in an evening brew without the late-night tossing and turning, even if you are sensitive to caffeine.

• Full Drink without the Full Punch - As we said before, there is so much more to coffee than just the caffeine. And, because that is true, many want to drink it because they genuinely enjoy the taste of coffee. Having a decaf in your lineup can mean creating your own personalized blend of half-caf. Blended just the way you like it, you can make a wonderful brew that hits just the right balance of caffeine and calm that's right for you and your life.

Is Decaf Coffee Really Caffeine-free?

Well, the short answer is no… not entirely. Even the best decaffeination process can leave behind trace amounts of caffeine. These trace amounts are small, and I mean really small. Typically somewhere between one or two percent of the caffeine is left. So where your standard cup of coffee may have 95 milligrams of caffeine, a cup of coffee decaf will have somewhere around 2-4 milligrams of caffeine. So, though it’s not completely caffeine-free, it’s close enough to meet what most people would consider as the mark.

Choosing the best decaf coffee

Not all decaf coffees are created equal. If you want to experience the best decaf possible, consider these points:

Keep an eye out for water-processed - Swiss water process or mountain water process decaf coffee beans tend to maintain more of what the coffee naturally has to offer.

Aim for specialty roasters - High-end specialty coffee roasters know how to take a decaffeinated coffee and roast it to highlight its potential just like all of their other coffee offerings. 

Check the roast date - This is a big one. Freshness matters, especially with decaf! This is another reason to aim for specialty coffee roasters, because their batch sizes tend to be smaller which means their coffee tends to be fresher!

Grinding/Brewing Matters - Decaf coffee can shine in just the same way any other coffee can. And it can also be ruined in the same way. All coffee can be delicious when ground and brewed properly.

Final Thoughts: Is decaf coffee worth it?

If you love coffee but don't love caffeine, decaf is a great alternative. If you love coffee but would like to reduce your caffeine intake, decaf is a great addition. While the process of decaffination may alter the coffee a bit, today's processing methods leave decaf tasting better than ever. Whether you would like to be able to share a late night espresso with friends or you’re just trying to cut back for health reasons, decaf can help you keep with the comforting coffee experience.So next time someone asks, “What’s the point of decaf coffee?” - you will now have all the answers. And maybe, just maybe, you'll be able to convert a skeptic into a decaf believer.

Cheers to great coffee - caffeinated or not!