Are You a Decaf Coffee Person?
Before deciding if decaf is for you, it is important to know what makes decaffeinated coffee different than your average cup of joe.
In order to understand decaf coffee, we must look at the science behind brewing it. Once coffee is brewed, there is a certain concentration of caffeine in that coffee. It is not possible to take an already brewed cup of coffee and remove the caffeine, so the beans have to be decaffeinated beforehand.
The “Decaffeination Process” uses a solvent or activated carbon to take caffeine out of the beans. There are four primary ways that coffee companies make decaf coffee beans. In the first two methods, solvents are used to dissolve and remove caffeine. The Indirect-Solvent Process introduces the solvent indirectly to the beans, whereas the Direct-Solvent Process directly introduces the solvent chemical to the beans. The other two methods used are called the Swiss Water Process and the Carbon Dioxide Process. The Swiss Water Process relies heavily on solubility and osmosis to decaffeinate coffee beans, not using solvents in the process. The C02 Process relies on the pressure of liquid C02 to dissolve and draw caffeine from the coffee beans. Each of the four methods always decaffeinate the coffee beans in its unroasted green state.
Waka Coffee's decaffeinated instant coffee is made using the sugar cane EA (ethyl acetate) process, which is a solvent used to extract/dissolve the caffeine in the bean. This decaffeination process is considered “Natural” due to the use of natural origin EA and spring water – these are the only two products that the coffee is in contact with throughout the process.
The EA method is obtained by esterification between natural acetic acid and natural ethyl alcohol derived from sugar cane in Colombia. The carbohydrates from sugar cane are fermented into natural ethyl alcohol and natural acetic acid which is extracted and purified from vinegar obtained by aerobic fermentation of natural ethyl alcohol.
Woah.. super science-y, right? Well, making decaf coffee isn't easy!
Why caffeine is not for everyone
Caffeine is a big part of why many of us love coffee, but in high amounts it can cause problems. The FDA says that for healthy adults, 400 milligrams a day, or about two to three 12-ounce cups of coffee, is an amount not generally associated with negative effects. Going well past that can come with some unfortunate side effects.
Consuming too much caffeine can cause a number of unwanted effects. Mayo Clinic lists possible side effects including headache, trouble sleeping, feeling nervous or cranky, urinating often, fast heartbeat, muscle tremors and stomach upset. If you have questions about caffeine and a health condition, talk to your doctor.
Caffeine can also affect people differently at different ages. If you have questions about caffeine for kids or teens, your pediatrician is the best person to ask.
Caffeine is a stimulant, and some people find even a small amount leaves them feeling jittery or restless. Caffeine’s effect is different for every person.
It is important for all coffee consumers to be aware of the effects that caffeine has on their body and mind, and drink accordingly. If you are one of those people who reacts negatively to caffeine but still love the taste of coffee, decaf is definitely for you!
Decaf is trending!
Not only is decaffeinated coffee a great fit for those who are sensitive to caffeine, but it is also becoming a trendier drink! More and more coffee lovers are aware of and accepting of the decaf option. Not only is it being seen as a valid option, but it is now a highly desirable option for coffee.
It is incredibly versatile too as you can sub decaf coffee in any coffee drink. One of the hard parts about going decaf is making it at home. As you could tell from above, transforming your own coffee beans into a decaf version is nearly impossible without serious equipment and knowledge of the sciences—therefor, those who want to drink decaf at home have to buy decaf coffee beans or instant coffee powder.
If you are itching to try a great cup of decaf coffee, try Waka Coffee’s new decaffeinated instant coffee option. It is a delicious product that will make going decaf very easy for all interested. Just like the caffeinated version, all that is required to brew an amazing cup of decaf coffee is water and a cup! We at Waka Coffee recommend that every coffee enthusiast try decaf coffee to form your own opinions of whether or not caffeine will reign supreme. Either way, as long as you are drinking coffee, you can’t go wrong!
Try Waka Coffee's instant decaf coffee. Get it here.
This article is for general information only and isn't medical or nutritional advice. If you have questions about caffeine, your diet or a health condition, talk to your doctor.
