Jun 07 2010
Decaf Coffee
Caffeine is a stimulant that is found in coffee, for many people it is the reason they started drinking coffee in the first place. However, if caffeine causes the heart to race to much or causes insomnia, it might be time to consider decaf coffee. Technology and gourmet coffee beans have made it possible to get a flavor-filled cup of coffee without the caffeine.
Today coffee plantations make decaffeinated coffee using premium beans as well as gourmet-flavored coffees that are decaffeinated. This is in direct response to the number of people switching to decaffeinated coffee for health and other reasons. By using these top shelf coffee beans to make decaf coffees; consumers can continue to enjoy their favorite flavors and beans without the added caffeine.
Decaf coffee also allows consumers to have their favorite coffee drinks in a decaf version. Cappuccinos, lattes, iced coffee drinks and after dinner cordials can all be enjoyed by people who can’t tolerate caffeine now that coffee plantations and roasters have responded to the need for more decaf coffee varieties.
Different coffee companies and coffee plantations use different methods to remove the caffeine from their coffee beans. Some use a simple water extraction method while others use a variety of chemical solvents. The main goal, no matter what method is used, is to remove the caffeine without altering the flavor or aroma of the coffee.
The water process method is the preferred method since it does not use chemicals. However, the resulting coffee is higher than decaf coffees produced using solvents. This is because the process takes more time and costs more to implement. In order to prevent loss of flavor with the water method, the very best beans must be used, which of course adds to the cost.
Finding the best decaf coffees that are full of flavor should not be left to the local grocer. While it is possible to find decaf coffee beans on the grocery shelves, the freshness cannot be guaranteed. Purchasing gourmet decaffeinated coffee beans should be done through the local coffee shop or an online coffee roaster. This helps to insure that the coffee is as fresh as possible.
Another factor to consider when purchasing decaf coffee beans is the type of bean. The Arabica bean is naturally lower in caffeine than the Robusta bean, which means it takes less processing to remove the caffeine. This in turn means that less flavor is loss during the decaffeination process.
There are excellent gourmet coffee beans that can be purchased in the decaf versions. Some examples are Kona coffee from Hawaii, Volcanica coffee from Jamaica and Coffee and the Costa Rican Blend in decaf version. A higher price will be paid for these exquisite decaf coffees but if the end result is a pleasurable cup of coffee without the jitters and racing heart it might be worth the added cost.
Gourmet coffee shops, online coffee roasters and even the local grocer all have decaffeinated options available for people who want to avoid caffeine. Today’s decaf coffees are just as flavorful as their caffeinated counterparts without all the side effects, so its bottoms up without heart rate up.
-Sharon Chapman