I've always had the view that de-caff coffee is pretty pointless (a bit like alcohol-free beer really!) but there's this guy at work who swears it healthier. I suppose I can see the point that caffiene is not good for the heart or the nervous system if you have too much but what do they add to counteract the caffiene or what process do they use to extract it?
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Answer by BLAH
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Most roasters use their worst beans for decaffeination, and use a chemical solvent to remove the caffeine. During this process, the green beans are immersed in hot water, which raises the temperature of the beans and draws the caffeine to the surface. A chemical solvent is then used to extract the caffeine. The beans are rinsed, dried and sent to the roaster. However...
ReplyDeleteThe CO2 Decaffeination Process:
This method is a major benefit to those who wish to avoid any form of "chemicals" in their food.
The coffee beans are moistened with pure water to release the caffeine and carry it to the surface.
The caffeine is then removed with carbon dioxide, the same natural element that created bubbles in sparkling, carbonated mineral water. This removes only the caffeine without disturbing the flavor and aroma locked inside each arabica bean. At least 97% of the caffeine is removed from the coffee, and no traces of carbon dioxide remain.
The decaffeinated beans are dried and ready to be roasted to preference.
They use ethyl acetate and that stops the caffeine from getting into your system.
ReplyDeleteI used to work in a coffee shop, and everyone pretty much agreed that decaf is unhealthier because it has to undergo more chemical processes to extract the caffeine.
ReplyDeleteAlso, in one of my chemistry lectures we had to learn about solvents and as an example, the lecturer told us how chloroform was used as a solvent to extract the caffeine (much like water dissolving sugar and not dirt, and so you could separate the sugar from the dirt). Of cousre, they wouldn't use chloroform nowadays as chloroform is cancerous but i think the idea of dissolving caffeine to extract it still applies.
anyway to the guy from your work, i think not drinking coffee at all is healthier :)