Caffeine in coffee and coffee beans

Coffee beans naturally contain the stimulant caffeine. Consuming small amounts, such as one to two cups, can give you a boost and help with concentration. Because it's a stimulant, it's not advisable to consume too much caffeine, as it can cause adverse effects such as headaches, insomnia, and even anxiety.

What constitutes "too much" caffeine varies from person to person. Some people can be very sensitive to caffeine and its side effects, making decaf coffee an excellent alternative. You still enjoy the robust flavors that coffee can offer, but without the side effects.

The Difference Between Decaffeinated and Decaf

You often see the terms "caffeine-free" and "decaffeinated" used interchangeably. We're guilty of this in this blog post as well.

However, these two terms aren't exactly the same. "Decaffeinated" means there's no caffeine in the coffee at all, but unfortunately, this isn't possible.

Decaffeinated coffee still contains about 3mg of caffeine. Fortunately, this is much less than the 60-90mg normally found in a cup of coffee, but the term shouldn't be taken literally.

Decaf, on the other hand, is more accurate because this term refers to the process of decaffeination. This process removes as much caffeine as possible from the coffee beans. Because, as we mentioned, it's not possible to achieve 0% caffeine in your coffee.

The methods to decaffeinate coffee

Decaffeination of coffee is always done before the coffee beans are roasted. In all cases, an extraction agent is used that binds the caffeine and removes it from the coffee. There are several methods for making decaffeinated coffee, with the following three being the most popular:

The critical carbon dioxide method

The coffee beans are decaffeinated by immersing them in water. This causes the beans to swell. The caffeine is then released and can be dissolved in carbon dioxide (CO2) under high pressure and low temperature. The carbon dioxide evaporates again during the drying process. This minimizes the caffeine content and eliminates any CO2 residue.

The DCM method

The name of this method comes from the extraction solvent used, dichloromethane. This is an organic compound used as a solvent and is specifically formulated for the food industry. To decaffeinate the coffee beans, the green coffee beans are moistened with water and then soaked in the extraction solvent for half an hour. This process is repeated several times until the caffeine is dissolved. After this, the coffee beans are steamed for a long period to ensure that all DCM is removed. Finally, the beans are dried with warm air and then cooled again with cold air.

Swiss Water method

In the 1930s, the "Swiss Water®" method was developed in Switzerland. This innovative technology, called Swiss Water®, uses a completely natural process to remove caffeine from coffee beans. No chemicals are used. Only pure water is used to achieve this decaffeination, preserving the coffee's unique flavors and aromas. This process is not only safe and effective, but also ensures you can enjoy a flavorful and satisfying cup of decaffeinated coffee. Read here in detail how Kaldi decaffeinates using the Swiss Water method .

Does decaf coffee taste different?

There will be subtle differences between decaf and decaf coffee. Decaf coffee sometimes has a milder flavor and aroma compared to caffeinated coffee. The presence of caffeine can give the coffee a bitter taste.

Just like with regular coffee beans, there are also significant differences between decaf coffees. There are plenty of decaf coffees on the market that, like regular coffee, have a robust flavor and subtle undertones.

We therefore definitely recommend experimenting with different decaf coffees and brands, so you'll quickly see that sometimes you don't even notice the difference with a normal cup of coffee.

Decaffeinated coffee at Kaldi

Want to learn more about decaf coffee at Kaldi? Visit a Kaldi near you ! Our baristas are happy to help you choose a good decaf coffee and answer any questions you may have. Craving a delicious cup of decaf now? Browse our decaf coffee selection online !