Removing the Caffeine

Removing the Caffeine

How is coffee decaffeinated, and is the process safe?

Caffeine is removed from unroasted coffee beans, either by water or solvent. In the water method, the beans are soaked to bring the caffeine to the surface: the caffeine is then filtered out, removing about 97% of it.

In the solvent method, the beans are soaked in chemicals until most of the caffeine has been leached out. The beans are then washed before drying and roasting. Many people are concerned about solvent residues, but there is no legal requirement for manufacturers to state which method has been used.

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