Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug in the world, and yet many people still don’t realize what they are actually ingesting when they turn on their coffee pot.
Decaf is a popular option for people who want to avoid caffeine, but often wonder how much caffeine is still in their decaf coffee.
Decaf coffee is usually made from the same coffee beans as regular coffee, but the process of decaffeination removes caffeine from the coffee beans.
The resulting coffee is called ‘decaf.’ Decaf coffee is a popular choice for people who are sensitive to caffeine and want to reduce or eliminate the effects of caffeine in their diet.
A typical cup of decaf coffee contain 2 mg , because decaffeination process removes almost 97% of caffeine content of regular coffee beans.
How is coffee decaffeinated?
The popular drink is now being decaffeinated by using a chemical called methylene chloride, which is used to make everything from paint to car parts to furniture.
Decaffeinated coffee has spread quickly in the past few years, with some large chains already selling it.
However, while it sounds like a healthier choice, the chemical process is not as efficient or as safe as those who decaf their coffee would assume.
Caffeine can then be extracted from the beans by means of a solvent known as methylene chloride. This is a dangerous process as methylene chloride is poisonous and has been known to cause permanent blindness.
Decaffeination process
Decaffeinate coffee is coffee that has been processed so that the caffeine is removed. The coffee beans are removed and the beans are washed in solvents such as propylene glycol or ethyl acetate.
After the beans are decaffeinated, they may be roasted and re-steeped to remove the caffeine again.
Below will shown different process of decaffeination:
- Swiss water process
The Swiss Water Process is a method of decaffeination by which the final product is then blended with water to extract the coffee oils.
It is a method of making coffee by using hot water to extract the flavor from ground coffee. The process is often considered to be a way of obtaining a more full-bodied flavor than in a drip coffee maker, though a drip coffee maker can be used instead to make a similar coffee.
The general idea of the process is that the water and coffee powder mix together in the same pot, and the resulting mixture is then allowed to drip through the coffee grounds, extracting the flavors of the coffee and some of the liquid.
- Vacuum decaffeination process
This is the easiest way to decaffeinate coffee is to use a coffee-based decaffeination process called the vacuum decaffeination process.
Vacuum is a process to remove the water from the coffee beans (after the beans are roasted), then the beans are processed, and they are dried.
Vacuum decaffeination is a process to remove the water from the roasted beans, then the beans are processed, and they are dried.
When drinking coffee, the coffee is heated, then the water is drawn out from the beans. This process is called vacuum decaffeination.
Is decaf coffee bad for you?
After all the warnings about coffee, it can be easy to assume that decaffeinated coffee is a healthy drink you can drink all day. But it’s not always that simple. Decaffeinated coffee is usually made from the same stuff as regular coffee. Most of the times, that’s beans.
The coffee beans are processed in a little bit different way than regular beans, but they’re still beans that were once part of a plant. Yes it is bad for you, but not as bad as you think. After all, decaf coffee is not quite the same as the regular stuff.
The good news is, if you drink decaf all the time, your body will eventually get used to it and will adjust to its lower caffeine content. The bad news is, if you stop drinking decaf, your heart may not be able to adjust and the coffee will slowly poison your body
However, the use of methylene chloride in the decaffeination process has raised some concern among members of the coffee community as well as some consumers.
Benefits of decaf coffee
Many decaffeinated coffee drinkers have been using decaf coffee for a while now, but only very recently have they started to really understand the benefits that decaf coffee has to offer.
Decaffeinated coffee has less caffeine than regular coffee, which makes it a good option for people who rely on a caffeine rich beverage, such as children and pregnant women, or those who are sensitive to caffeine.
Decaf might not be as bad as you think. There are several reasons why you should consider switching to decaf coffee.
The benefits of decaf coffee may be different from person to person, but there are a number of reported benefits that can be attributed to drinking decaf coffee.
1. It has the same benefits of normal coffee
2. Decaf coffee is a healthier option.
3. Reduces risk of high blood pressure.
4. Reduces risk of heart disease.
5. Prevents diabetes.
6.Natural source of antioxidants
7. Brain Boosting Power
8. Fewer side effects
How much caffeine is too much?
The amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee is a matter of some debate. But how much caffeine can you have before it causes those symptoms? An amount in between? And, perhaps most importantly, does it even matter?
One commonly cited figure states that only 100-280 milligrams (mg) of caffeine is the “right” amount for one to drink per day, and that caffeine beyond this amount can cause the jitters, restlessness, and other symptoms of ‘over-caffeinating’.
Caffeine is a drug that affects the central nervous system, which means it slows down reaction time and causes energy.
Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, energy drinks, and a few other foods. Caffeine is also found in some medications, such as cold and allergy medicines, and is even used as a sleep aid.
