Coffee – the sweet, aromatic beverage that wakes you up and gets you going every day. This is a drink praised by many as the ultimate pick- me- up for the morning after a long night. It is said to have magical effects of calming down the boss during a hectic day and helping employees get through the dreary moments when time seems to stand still.
However, for some people, coffee could be their worst nightmare, literally keeping them up at odd hours of the night. Some people get really nervous and jittery after a cup of Joe while others develop terrible headaches and migraines.
Whether you are energized or totally destroyed by your morning brew, these are the side effects of caffeine on your body. Some people enjoy the buzz while others feel physically sick. Those who experience unpleasant side effects but still love the brew have been advised to try decaf coffee. But what is it?
What is Decaf Coffee?
Decaf coffee is a shorter form of saying decaffeinated coffee, which is coffee that has most of the caffeine removed from the bean before roasting. Caffeine is a stimulant that is naturally found in coffee beans. It is a drug that rouses your heart, central nervous system and your muscles.
The type of coffee and the brewing process used both affect the level of caffeine. Robusta coffee beans contain more caffeine than Arabica beans. The caffeine content also varies depending on how long your coffee brews and the coffee to water ratio you use. A drip coffee cup may contain more caffeine than a shot of espresso while French Press coffee will have the highest caffeine content because of how long the coffee steeps in water. Instant coffee is said to have the lowest amount of caffeine in terms of brewing methods. For a more in-depth conversation of what decaf coffee is, check out our article here!
Decaf Coffee Process
Decaf coffee on the other hand has gone through the process to remove caffeine, although it will still contain 1-2% of caffeine. The Swiss Water method is the most natural way to decaffeinate coffee. How it works is: green coffee beans are soaked in water for hours to extract the caffeine and then they are passed through pre-treated charcoal filters to remove the caffeine. This process is repeated until up to 99% of the caffeine has been removed from the beans. Even though some volatile coffee oils are lost in the process, it is a more favorable method of decaffeination because unlike the other methods, it does not involve any chemicals.
Decaffeinating coffee beans will make the beans lose some aspects, like taste or flavor, but the nutritional value of decaf should be almost identical to regular coffee, except for the caffeine content. Decaf coffee is great for those who want to drink coffee but want to avoid caffeine. It is an amazing alternative for those who go crazy on coffee but still want a hit!
The specific health benefits of drinking decaf coffee can be difficult to determine, but most effects are attributed to the antioxidant content in coffee beans. The studies are still on-going, but so far, there have been some advantages and benefits associated with drinking decaf coffee.
Decaf Ground Coffee