Decaffeinated coffee is a great alternative for those who love the taste of coffee but cannot consume it due to the caffeine it contains. Decaffeinated coffee can completely replace regular coffee or be included in your day as an additional option. Such a brew can be enjoyed even late in the afternoon without worrying about potential difficulties falling asleep. What characterizes decaffeinated coffee and how do you choose the best beans?
Table of Contents:
Characteristics
Properties
For Whom?
How to Choose the Right Product?
Specialty Quality
Taste
How is Decaffeinated Coffee Made and What Are Its Characteristics?
Decaffeinated coffee, often referred to as "decaf," is made from beans that have undergone decaffeination using various chemical or natural methods. This process occurs at the bean sorting stage, before roasting. At JAVA Coffee, we offer beans that are decaffeinated using the Sugarcane E.A. method. This is a natural process that uses an organic substance - ethyl acetate - and steam. This method is entirely safe, and thanks to the treatment with steam, drying, and polishing, no trace amounts of the substances used in the caffeine removal process remain on the beans. If you want to learn more about the process of making our decaf, contact us! We also encourage you to explore our comprehensive range, which includes various coffee additives – plant-based drinks or Bacanha syrups as well as coffee brewing accessories and more, such as moka pots, drippers, filters, vacuum coffee containers, stylish and high-quality KINTO thermoses, and beautiful teapots. We also offer teas, chai, Cascara concentrate, and healthy shots.
What Properties Does Decaf Have?
It is important to note that decaffeinated coffee still contains trace amounts of caffeine. Decaf must meet European standards for coffees with reduced caffeine content. This means that the caffeine content in the product can range from 0.1% to 0.3% of its original value before the decaffeination process. Thus, it can be consumed by pregnant women and those with hypertension, though individuals highly sensitive to caffeine should still avoid it. How else does decaf differ from regular coffee? In terms of taste or aroma, the differences should not be too significant. However, much depends on the overall quality of the beans. It is also worth noting that decaf does not stimulate or speed up digestion but provides antioxidants and higher amounts of minerals like magnesium and potassium.
For Whom?
Decaf was created for people who are sensitive to caffeine. Caffeine has stimulating, diuretic, and digestive-stimulating effects. Especially due to its stimulating properties, caffeine is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as for those who have trouble falling asleep or suffer from hypertension. Decaf can be a much better choice for such individuals, as well as for those with sensitive stomachs, such as those with acid reflux.
How to Choose the Best Decaffeinated Coffee?
The best decaffeinated coffee should not disappoint even a true coffee lover or connoisseur in terms of taste and aroma. As mentioned, much depends primarily on the quality of the beans. If you are looking for coffee with a complex sensory profile and low caffeine content, choose a product made entirely from specialty quality Arabica beans. Why?
What is Specialty Quality?
The term "specialty" can only be applied to Arabica beans that have received a score of at least 85 out of 100 from professional Q-Graders, based on factors such as physical defects, taste, and aroma. In practice, only beans from organic farms located in high-altitude areas, where coffee cherries are picked by hand, can achieve such a rating. Specialty beans come from small plantations where no chemical pesticides are used. They are harvested only when fully ripe and are then carefully selected and subjected to numerous quality tests before roasting. This ensures that only the perfect beans make it into the specialty coffee package. For someone who simply enjoys savoring the taste of the brew, the most important aspect is that specialty coffee is incredibly complex in flavor and aroma. Its flavor qualities are not masked by bitterness, which is characteristic of lower-quality coffees produced on a large scale. These coffees are often roasted too darkly to hide various defects in the beans, unfortunately obscuring the natural flavors and aromas. Properly roasted specialty beans have exceptionally rich and interesting sensory profiles – floral, sweet, nutty, fruity, or chocolatey.
What Does Our Decaf Taste Like?
Our specialty decaf coffee is 100% Arabica from Colombia (Cauca region), grown at an altitude of 1600-1820 meters above sea level. We roast the beans in two ways: either a darker roast, suitable for espresso machines, or a lighter roast, ideal for brewing through a filter in a dripper, Chemex, or using an Aeropress. In both versions, you can taste notes like pomegranate, strawberry, or jasmine. The brew will be mild, aromatic, and primarily floral-fruity. It is perfect for an afternoon coffee, even for those who generally do not avoid caffeine but want to limit their intake of regular coffee throughout the day. Our decaf is available for purchase as whole beans or pre-ground, including fine, medium, and coarse grinds.
Decaffeinated coffee, whether whole bean or ground, does not have to fall short in taste and aroma compared to classic coffee. Choose specialty decaf to enjoy your favorite beverage whenever you wish!
