Decaffeinated coffees

Caffeine is a substance that can be found in numerous plants. As a natural plant protection against predators such as insects, caffeine is found primarily in coffee, tea, guarana, mate, kola nut and cocoa. Extracted from the plants, caffeine is a white, rather bitter-tasting crystalline powder. In the food and pharmaceutical industries, caffeine is often used in drinks and medicines to make use of the stimulating effect of caffeine. Chemically speaking, caffeine belongs to the methylxanthines.

Industrial decaffeination was invented over 100 years ago by Ludwig Roselius. The Bremen merchant wanted to reduce the caffeine content for health reasons and at the same time retain the full flavor of the popular bean. The company he founded, Kaffee HAG, was long considered the epitome of decaffeinated coffee. Since then, the decaffeination processes have been continuously developed. The basic principle is extremely simple and essentially consists of the following three steps: moistening the coffee beans, extracting the caffeine, drying the coffee beans. Basically, all decaffeination processes always decaffeinate the green coffee. The challenge with decaffeination is to extract the caffeine from the unroasted coffee beans without losing the aromas and oils of the espresso bean.

First, the unroasted coffee bean is moistened in a water bath or with steam. This makes the cell walls more permeable. Next, a processing aid is added that dissolves and binds only the caffeine. This extraction agent is then removed again - and with it the caffeine. Depending on the process, the caffeine can be separated from the solvent and reused separately. This extraction process is repeated until the caffeine content is reduced to a maximum of 0.1 percent. This is the maximum value prescribed in the EU for decaffeinated coffee. Finally, the coffee beans are dried again and processed as usual. For a decaffeinated espresso, this means that the beans are roasted particularly dark and aromatic in around 20 minutes.

Depending on the extraction agent used, there are various methods of decaffeination. The processing aids ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, carbon dioxide (CO2) and water-based extraction are permitted. The method using CO2 is particularly popular. For a decaffeinated espresso, CO2 is placed in a so-called supercritical state. At a temperature of over 32.15 °C and a physical pressure of 76 bar, CO2 develops the density of a liquid, but is still gaseous. In this form, CO2 can very quickly and selectively dissolve the caffeine from the bean. All other ingredients are retained, and the caffeine extracted from the bean can be reused. Decaffeinated organic espresso may only have been decaffeinated using the water or CO2 method to ensure organic quality.

There are numerous processes used to remove caffeine from espresso beans. By decaffeinating the espresso beans, the effect of the caffeine when drinking decaffeinated espresso is reduced to an absolute minimum. Caffeine-free drinks are often advertised, but is "caffeine-free" coffee really completely free of caffeine? In short: No. Even though many people use the term decaffeinated espresso as caffeine-free espresso, this is not entirely correct, because even decaffeinated coffee is not completely free of caffeine. According to EU food law, decaffeinated espresso must contain a residual caffeine content of 0.1% in order to be officially considered decaffeinated espresso. This means that decaffeinated coffee is not caffeine-free, but contains a very small amount of residual caffeine.

Are you looking for decaffeinated coffee beans for fully automatic coffee machines? Understandable, because many coffee fans experience rather undesirable effects after enjoying a fresh cup of coffee. In addition to stomach problems, inner restlessness and difficulty falling asleep, many consumers experience rather undesirable effects after a cup of espresso with caffeine. This is because they often do not tolerate the caffeine in the espresso beans well. Anyone who has these symptoms after a cup of espresso should buy decaffeinated espresso. Decaffeinating the espresso beans removes the caffeine from the beans. This means that the stimulating effect of the caffeine in a decaffeinated espresso is almost completely absent. Sleepless nights and inner restlessness are therefore no longer an issue.

Another advantage of an espresso with little caffeine is that you can enjoy your coffee even later in the evening without having to worry about a sleepless night. Whether you want to enjoy a pure espresso, in a dessert after dinner or even to prepare a delicious coffee cocktail, decaffeinated espresso is perfect.

Like regular espresso, decaffeinated espresso offers a wonderful range of flavor nuances for the coffee gourmet. The roasting and the specific bean blend in particular provide the individual flavor notes. The variety of flavors ranges from a round and soft mildness to a bitter, strong spiciness. Arabica beans ensure a gentle, balanced taste. A proportion of Robusta beans brings additional spice and a dense crema to the espresso. Connoisseurs can taste numerous flavors, ranging from nutty to fruity and floral to sweet and chocolaty.

Of course, the finer details of preparation also play an important role in decaffeinated espresso. Extra-finely ground coffee, the optimal amount and the ideal temperature as well as the perfect pressure during preparation make espresso enjoyment perfect. But it is not only decaffeinated espresso, which is freshly prepared from beans, that provides the inimitable coffee shot. Decaffeinated espresso, ground, in capsules or pads, also offers the wonderful aroma of real espresso decaffeinato.

In today's times, people are increasingly paying attention to less caffeine in their everyday lives. Coffee has long since expanded its existence as an exclusive breakfast drink. An espresso gives coffee lovers moments of enjoyment all day long. Whether after lunch, in between meals in the office or after an excellent meal in the evening - espresso always provides the proverbial icing on the cake. Anyone who wants to reduce or limit their caffeine consumption as part of a conscious diet should opt for decaffeinated espresso. Without the caffeine, espresso is a treat for the palate even late at night.

Due to the various advantages of decaffeinated espresso, the range of delicious espressos with minimal caffeine content is increasing as demand increases. Classic coffee brands such as Illy offer decaffeinated espresso, but a decaffeinated Lavazza espresso also has a place in our range. Or roasters such as Mocambo, Manaresi or Kimbo offer an espresso decaffeinato. Whether for the filter coffee maker, the espresso maker or the fully automatic machine, as ground espresso or whole bean, the decaffeinato coffee beans are available in a wide variety. Browse through our range and take the chance to buy decaffeinated coffee!