Is there any caffeine-free specialty coffee?

Many people can't imagine starting their morning without a cup of coffee. It's a brew that wakes us up and motivates us to get going, all thanks to the caffeine found in specialty coffee. Today, we'd like to focus on caffeine itself and its effects, while also answering the question: do decaf coffees exist?

What is caffeine?

Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance that stimulates the body. It can be found in specialty coffee, as well as in tea, guarana, and cacao beans. It's used in many products, such as energy drinks. Caffeine can have health benefits, supporting brain function and even lowering the risk of certain diseases. Despite its health benefits, some people choose to avoid or cannot consume caffeine for various reasons. That's where decaf coffee comes in.

What exactly is decaffeinated specialty coffee?

Today, the market offers two types of decaf coffees: one made from grains, which naturally do not contain stimulating substances, and the other, decaffeinated specialty coffee, which undergoes a decaffeination process to remove the caffeine.

The first decaf coffees were made as early as 1906, with Ludwig Roselius being the first producer of decaf coffee. He accidentally discovered that soaking coffee beans in salty seawater caused them to lose their stimulating properties.

Can decaffeinated specialty coffee still contain caffeine?

It's important to note that decaf coffee is not completely caffeine-free. A coffee can be labeled decaf if its caffeine content does not exceed 0.3% of the dry coffee mass. So, how much caffeine is in a cup of coffee? A cup of specialty decaf coffee typically contains 2-3 milligrams of caffeine.

What is the decaffeination process?

The first decaffeination process, developed by the aforementioned Ludwig Roselius, used brine and benzene. Unfortunately, benzene turned out to be carcinogenic, which led to the development of alternative methods for removing caffeine from specialty coffee beans. Today, there are three main decaffeination methods:

• using Sugarcane E.A.,
• using water and green coffee extract,
• using carbon dioxide.

The decaf coffee from Java Coffee roastery undergoes the Sugarcane E.A. process, a natural decaffeination method.

How does the decaffeination process work?

The decaffeination process at Java Coffee is relatively simple. First, the beans are selected for treatment. The specialty coffee is then steamed to start the decaf process. The steam helps to open the pores in the beans, allowing the caffeine to be released. The coffee beans are then placed in water with E.A., where the caffeine naturally binds to substances in the water. After some time, the beans are steamed again, this time to remove any remaining E.A. After that, the beans are dried, polished, and ready for export.

Specialty decaf coffee is a great alternative for those who cannot drink regular coffee but still love the taste. Decaf coffee allows you to enjoy a full-flavored, aromatic brew without the side effects.