Post by QueenFoxy on Mar 11, 2019 11:44:19 GMT -6
How Is Coffee Decaffeinated
Coffee "beans" (they aren't really beans) naturally contain caffeine. Although a jolt of caffeine is exactly what many people are looking for when they reach for a cup of joe, the beans can be processed to remove most of the stimulant, creating a drink that can be enjoyed at night without losing sleep. There are several different methods used to rid the beans of their caffeine, all of which is done while they are still green. Decaffeination is often associated with less flavorful coffee because it is a bit tricky to remove only the caffeine and not any of the numerous flavor chemicals, and decaffeinated beans are notoriously difficult to roast properly.
The most common methods of decaffeination involve chemical solvents, usually ethyl acetate or methylene chloride. In the direct method, the coffee beans are steamed and then rinsed repeatedly with the chemical solvent to flush away the caffeine. In the indirect method, the chemical agent never touches the beans but treats the caffeine-laden water in which the beans have been soaked for hours. After the caffeine is removed from the water with the solvent, the bean-flavored solution is reintroduced to the beans, allowing many of the oils and flavors to be reabsorbed. In both processes the solvents are rinsed or evaporated out of the green beans and further vaporize upon roasting, meaning that only the tiniest trace amounts (which are deemed safe for consumption) are ever present in the decaffeinated beans you purchase.
Another method, known as the Swiss Water Process, is based solely on water and carbon filtration. The coffee beans are first immersed in hot water to extract their caffeine and flavorful components. The initial beans are then discarded, and the resulting flavor-rich water (called “green coffee extract”) is passed through a carbon filter that is sized to capture only the large caffeine molecules. The decaffeinated green coffee extract is then used to wash and filter the next batch of beans. Caffeine is thereby filtered from the beans without recourse to chemical agents and without the beans losing many of their flavorful components. This is the primary method used to decaffeinate organic coffee beans.
Finally, the scientifically named supercritical carbon dioxide method uses carbon dioxide (CO2) under high temperatures and pressure to act like both a gas and a liquid. This supercritical CO2 reaches into the crevices of coffee beans like a gas but dissolves caffeine like a liquid. After the beans have been soaked in water (a process that expands cell structures and makes it easier to extract the caffeine molecules), they are exposed to supercritical CO2 for several hours. The caffeinated CO2 liquefies and evaporates, and the beans are then processed. Because this method leaves the carbohydrates and proteins intact, there is less change in taste as a result of decaffeination.
everyone. Have a great day tomorrow! Hope you're having a great time with your company Cat