Decaf coffee process

(Bob) #1

I just discovered that my decaf coffee can be decaffeinated one of two ways as per the reply posted below.

Kathy (Peet’s Coffee and Tea)
Nov 28, 6:41 AM PST

Dear Robert,

Thank you very much for your email and for your interest in our coffees.
Peet’s sells five decaf coffees, four of them processed using the direct contact (methylene chloride) method and one (Decaf Mocca Java) processed using the water process. Peet’s favors the direct contact method because it produces a more flavorful cup of coffee.

With the direct method, the green beans are sent through a rinse of methylene chloride, which pulls out the caffeine. Unlike the water process, this method removes only the caffeine, leaving important flavor compounds intact. Only minute traces of the chemical remain, and these traces are subsequently eliminated by drying and the extreme high temperatures of roasting. The caffeine content after the decaffeination process is anywhere between 3-4% of caffeine left.

Any opinions as to whether I should stick with coffees using the water process or not be concerned with the chemical process?

(OM) #2

I switched to organic coffee decaffeinated with water based process when I found out about the two methods. There are plenty of chemicals in our food that I don’t know about, so I am trying to reduce them where I can…

(Mike) #3

I have used Swiss water process decaf for over 15 years and it has always been plenty flavorful.

(sandra) #4

Same

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #5

Peet’s has a reputation for knowing what they are doing. If they feel the methylene chloride process is safe, then it probably is, but . . . :worried: It is a good sign that not all the caffeine is removed by that process, since it tends to indicate that all the chemical has reacted with caffeine and there’s none left to bother you.

What it boils down to is, what are you more comfortable with? No one will blame you for picking either safety over flavor or flavor over safety. For what it’s worth, I’ve used mostly water-process over the years, and I don’t think the flavor hit is all that large, especially if the beans are high-quality to begin with, as they most likely are if you’re buying them from Peet’s.

(Bob) #6

Thanks Paul. I have always bought Starbucks but they have only 1 decaf coffee using the Swiss water process. I was thinking of trying Peet’s after hearing good things about their coffees. It looks like whichever supplier I choose I am limited to just one choice of Swiss water decaf. Thanks for ur input.