Gourmet Decaf Coffee - The Tips and Facts YOU Need to Know Before Brewing

It was not always like it is now. A few years ago the choices were limited. But today There are plenty of decaf blends like the various Breakfast blends, After Dinner blends and national and regional blends, like Colombian to choose from.

Decaf coffee has also some medicals benefits. Diabetes, high blood pressure, acid reflux, and additional medical conditions could be the reason.

But you have to wander if the gourmet decaf coffee taste as good as regular coffee?

A lot of taste tests and researches where done on decaf gourmet coffee versus gourmet coffee in general in last years, and the results were essentially conclusive.

Many consumers couldn’t tell the difference in the gourmet coffees that were decaffeinated.

Overall taste of gourmet decaf coffee isn't affected at all. It is more a matter of opinion. Some say the taste is altered and some say it is not. I must say I rarely find difference in taste between regular and decaf gourmet coffee. What about you?

The main difference is of course the removal of most of the caffeine which is done before coffee beans are roasted. According to some studies the difference is also in the process of making or brewing the coffee itself.

 

Removing Caffeine - The Process

The decaffeination process is achieved with different methods. One of the oldest ones is from early 20th century when they soaked coffee beans in Benzene and salt water. But it was later dismissed because of health concerns from the Benzene and because of different taste of the coffee.

European or traditional method accomplished the removal of caffeine by soaking the coffee beans in hot water or steam. Then a solvent of different solutions or chemicals is used to remove the caffeine.

Which solvent? Methylene chloride is used to absorb the caffeine from the coffee bean. Then the beans are washed clean of the chemical.

Carbon Dioxide method is considered safe for the environment and the consumers. The coffee beans are soaked in the carbon dioxide liquid form solution.

Swiss Water Process is the purest form of removing caffeine from coffee beans. Here the water is used instead of chemicals along with activated charcoal. This method also requires several forms of extractions of coffee beans. The only downside with this process is the loss of flavor from the coffee beans as the coffee beans loose some oils.

By last method we soak green coffee beans in coffee and hot water. This method produces best gourmet decaf coffee to consumers. After the coffee beans are soaked, they are placed into natural coffee flavored oils for several hours. This method preserves most of the coffee flavor and oils in beans.

Final words on gourmet decaf coffee

If you want to drink really delicious cup of decaffeinated coffee, you need to get premium quality coffee beans. And you need to choose the proper equipment so you ensure the quality transfer from coffee beans to water. So before buying decaffeinated gourmet coffee be sure to read the section on choosing the best coffee maker that will help you get the taste you strive for.

If you are not into grinding your decaf coffee you can find a very good selection of decaf coffees at Green Mountain Coffee. If you are proud owner of one of the single serve Keurig coffee makers, you can choose from many flavors of decaf K cups also.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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