How is the caffeine removed from coffee beans?
Our decaffeinated coffees are produced by a direct solvent process. The green beans are softened by steam and then flushed with methylene chloride to remove 97% of the caffeine. The methylene chloride is then drawn off, the beans are steamed a second time and then dry heated to evaporate almost all solvents. Methylene Chloride is a solvent used in both the direct and indirect decaffeination methods. The methylene chloride process is thought by some in the coffee industry to maintain coffee flavor better than other processes. Based on extensive research data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that methylene chloride is safe for use in coffee decaffeination. While the FDA regulation allows up to 10 parts per million (ppm) residual methylene chloride, actual coffee industry practice results in levels 100 times lower than this amount.
New England Decaffeinated coffees are the result of a direct solvent process. The green bean is softened by steam and then flushed with methylene chloride to remove 97% of the caffeine. The methylene chloride is drawn off and the beans are steamed a second time and then heated dry to evaporate almost all solvents. Methylene Chloride is a solvent used in both the direct and indirect decaffeination methods. The methylene chloride process is thought by some in the coffee industry to maintain coffee flavor better than other processes. Based on extensive research data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that methylene chloride is safe for use in coffee decaffeination. While the FDA regulation allows up to 10 parts per million (ppm) residual methylene chloride, actual coffee industry practice results in levels 100 times lower than this amount.
