How is organic coffee decaffeinated?
Most conventionally produced coffees are decaffeinated by using toxic solvents such as methylene chloride (probable human carcinogen, harmful to central nervous system7) or ethyl acetate (harmful to central nervous system, kidneys and liver). Organic coffee, however, must be decaffeinated using a certified organic decaffeination process to maintain the organic integrity of the beans. One of the most popular organic decaffeination processes is the SWISS WATER® process, using only water to remove caffeine. What labels might you see on organic coffee and what do they mean? The USDA organic seal can appear on any coffee product that contains at least 95 percent organic ingredients and that has been certified as organic by a certification agency accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The coffee may also carry a label saying “100 percent organic” or “Organic.” Fair Trade Fair Trade certification focuses on labor and trade standards to provide small-farmer co-operatives a guarantee
