What is “water process” decaf?
Most decaf is made using chemicals. They will call this a “natural” process even though the chemicals used are substances like methylene chloride (Dichloromethane/DCM) or ethyl acetate (antifreeze!), because it is true that these chemicals are found sometimes in fruits and vegetables. However, they are actually created in factories. Sensitivities to these chemicals cause many of the reactions that some people have when they drink “decaf”, which they mistakenly assume to be due to residual caffeine. True water process decaffeination makes use of an interesting principle – the flavor elements in coffee will saturate surrounding water before the caffeine will. Thus, beans are soaked in “coffee water” and not much flavor is lost, but the caffeine leaches out. This process is certainly more natural and preserves more flavor.
