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Welcome to the chemist solutions series! Chemist tips that make your life easier, better, and healthier! On Chemistry Cachet, we loved to share the science behind things to prove if they work or not!
Today, I am talking about decaf coffee (or tea) because I probably get asked about this the most!
Everyone wants to know, is decaf even good for you?
Is Decaf Even Good For You?
When I learned about the method of decaffeinating in college, I was a little surprised to be honest with you! This was back in the earlier 2000s when all the rage was suddenly about being caffeine free. Not for health reasons, but due to some nutritional articles recently published about how bad caffeine was for you!
So, how exactly is a coffee bean decaffeinated?
Believe it or not, decaf has been around for over one hundred years. In the early 1900s, a German coffee merchant, Ludwig Roselius, invented a way to remove caffeine from coffee with a chemical called benzene. For all you non-chemistry people out there, benzene is a fairly toxic chemical and prolonged exposure is linked with an increase in cancer risks including bone marrow failure! Basically…it is not good for humans at all. Even OSHA checks this for potential safety hazards for workers. You can read a little more about the hazard effects of benzene on their website!
Obviously, this method was not good for you at all. I think it is very interesting to note that Ludwig Roselius had a leg amputated from bone cancer at a young age!
But, he did pave the way for the decaffeinating process.
Modern processes do not involve incredibly toxic chemicals, but they do involve processing the coffee bean from it’s natural state.
There are three main ways coffee beans are decaffeinated now. A coffee bean is soaked until it is soft which allows the caffeine to be pulled out.
Once soaked, the bean is then added to a solvent which will basically “extract” the caffeine out.
The three solvents used are either water, carbon dioxide, or methylene chloride (sometimes ethyl acetate).
Scientific American explains that using methylene chloride or ethyl acetate is a solvent decaffeinating process. This is one of the more well none methods too.
Well, I don’t know about you, but I would rather not have decaf coffee that has been washed in a chemical! Although these chemicals are not considered hazardous, it still is another addition of a processed material to our diet. In today’s world, we have so enough processed foods we ingest daily.
Most organic decaffeinated coffee uses the water method from most brands I have read about. So, if you really want to go with decaf, definitely choose a non-gmo, organic brand. This brand promotes their use of the water method, which is definitely the way to go!
So, how is tea decaffeinated?
Pretty much the exact same way, although most tea brands I have researched used the carbon dioxide method.
Same goes with tea, if you are drinking a black or green tea that typically has caffeine, choose an organic route for the decaf.
Chemist Tips on Drinking Decaffeinated Coffee or Tea
It is important to know that this decaffeinating process doesn’t actually remove ALL the caffeine. Although the amounts are incredibly smaller, traces of caffeine still remain. Even the certified organic brand will still contain small amounts.
Many people cannot have decaf coffee or tea due to health reasons, so in that case, it is best to steer clear from all decaf! Choose herbal tea or any natural caffeine free teas.
So, to answer the question, is decaf even good for you?
If you need to stay away from caffeine, and your doctor says a decaf coffee is fine, then it is okay. I would definitely choose an organic, non-gmo variety for your decaffeinated coffee or tea. If you are doing it to just be healthier, I would stick with the most natural form, which is just the regular coffee bean or tea leaf. When I cut back on caffeine, I drink herbal and fruit teas since they naturally have zero caffeine!
I love my caffeine in the mornings…and occasional I need my afternoon boost too, but I try to limit it to a small amount a day 🙂
Are you a caffeine drinker? Or do you choose decaf?
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
I never realized this! I am def sharing this with my loved ones.
elle
Southern Elle Style
It is so interesting!! Thanks Elle, hope they can find it helpful 🙂
Benzene was used a century ago but not now. Methylene chloride, water and CO2 is now on raw beans. The roasting process should remove any residue since boiling points are well below the roasting temperature. Benzene is used in chemistry labs since it is most efficient but just to teach extraction metHodson.
I actually drink more tea than coffee, but I still love a good light roast! haha. Thanks for the great post!
Thank you!! I think I enjoy both equally..depending on my mood lol
Wow, this is INCREDIBLY interesting! I can’t wait to share this information with my family and friends. I have to drink decaf coffee and tea because caffeine makes me incredibly sick. Now I’ll be sure to look for organic or natural means to get my hot beverage fix.
Thanks Lindsay! I have some family that are the same way with caffeine. I always make sure they get the organic decaf for sure!!! I hope your family and friends enjoy this information 🙂
I’m not a huge coffee drinker, I don’t usually have more than 3-4 cups total a week but I never drink decaf. If I’m drinking coffee it’s for the pick me up, not the taste so decaf won’t do me any good haha! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
Totally agree! It is a definite pick me up for me. I love one good cup of coffee in the morning to get me going 🙂
That is definitely interesting! I rarely ever drink decaf because if I’m drinking coffee or tea it’s for the caffeine usually. Good to know!
Oh me too! My grandmother has been drinking coffee for like 70 years and she just found out she can’t have caffeine anymore! She has been doing decaf coffee…but it was still messing her up. I explained why and she was totally bummed lol
This is so interesting! I had no idea (never thought about it), but it makes perfect sense. I do half caff/half decaf in the morning. I’ll be looking for that water method one. Thanks for this info!
Thanks Jennifer! It really is so interesting to know how they actually do it! I hope you can find some great water method decaf 🙂
Yipes! This is really good to know, I always drink caffeinated coffee but my mom usually gets decaf. I’m definitely going to pass this along to her 😉
Awesome Kate!!! I hope she can find it useful. I am with you thought, caffeine all the way for me 🙂
This is great info because I’ve been reading on how decaf is not good for you, yet if I have caffeine it makes my heart race. So I drink decaf coffee, the few times I do and decaf green tea. I also do herb teas, but I live on green tea. Have to rethink this.
I love green tea too! I drink the caffeine version, but there is also a nice decaf, organic one that I recently bought at the store. Sometimes the grocery will have a good, healthy decaf brand for you!! I am glad you liked the information 🙂
Wow, Alexis, you’ve enlightened me today! I definitely need to be looking for organic decaf then (on the rare occasion I drink it)! My husband will be all into this now – I’ll have to show him the article because he loves Science and learning how things are made. (His favorite show on TV is “How it’s Made”.)
This was such a great Post! Thanks for sharing with us over at Tuesday Talk today! 🙂
Thanks Ruthie!! I love hearing that! I totally love that show too…I am so fascinated by how awesome science is! I hope he enjoys this article! I am so happy you stopped by today.
Great post, Alexis! This is great info… I didn’t know that benzene or methylene chloride could be used as a decaf-ing agent. Yuck. I drink both caf and decaf teas, and venturing a bit into herbal teas… I go for the caf tea on workday mornings, but mix it up in the afternoon and evenings. My dad is a caf coffee drinker, all day.
I know, isn’t that crazy they actually have used those chemicals!! I am so glad we have more knowledge about health now 🙂
Who knew!? I am typically a caffeine coffee and tea girl, but I have been opting for decaf sometimes at night. I will definitely be reading the labels more closely when choosing my next brand. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks Lori! I am the same way you are for my caffeine! It is so helpful to know what to spot on the labels for the healthiest choice 🙂
Whoa, I had no idea that benzene was originally used in the decaffeinating process. That makes me want to chuck, and I’m not a coffee drinker at all (because the taste of coffee really does make me chuck). I drink green tea on occasion, but not decaffeinated, just regular stuff. If I do drink tea, it’s mostly herbal stuff, never regular tea because I also hate the taste.
I’m so glad that no-one I know and am close with who loves coffee drinks decaf, but I’ll definitely be talking about this with hubby and other coffee fiend friends and family. Thanks Alexis!
Isn’t that crazy?? I enjoy herbal tea throughout the day as a good substitute for all day coffee drinking 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!
Totally drink caffeinated coffee. This is really cool though!! I am of the thinking that natural food is good for you. Like some caffeine and sugar are ok in appropriate amounts!!
I totally agree! Everything in moderation! I like a little caffeine each day, but definitely try to keep it to one or two cups 🙂
I do not like the smell, taste or anything about coffee decaf or other wise
I definitely love the smell 🙂 The taste definitely grew on me for many years…now I love that too!
I also limit my caffeine intake but I’ve never even considered decaf. I had forgotten about the process of removing caffeine and appreciate your post.
I am the same. I gotta have my caffeine at least in the mornings for sure 🙂
I had no idea. I tend to drink normal caffeinated coffees and teas – but I am sending this to my MIL whoONLY drinks decaf coffee – and all day and night, too.
Yikes. Always wondered about how this was done. Thank you for the information!
I hope she finds this useful Michele! Thanks for passing it along 🙂 Have a great day!
Hello, I am visiting from Katherine’s Corner. This is a wonderful post. I love my morning coffee. I started to drink Papua New Guinea coffee because it is very low acid. I never got into decaf, it sort of defeats the purpose of drinking coffee. 🙂
Thank you Marla! So happy you came by! I enjoy low acid coffees too, they seem to be easier on my stomach. I love making my own cold brew which is very low in acid. I haven’t tried the Papua New Guinea brand, but I have heard good things about it 🙂
I have always had the attitude of why decaf?! But now I am most certainly sticking with regular!
I absolutely agree! I totally drink coffee for the caffeine…although I do love the taste! It’s crazy how bad decaf can actually be for you!
Great info! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Thanks Sherry!
What an interesting article. I’m an avid coffee drinker. I like to cook with coffee, too. I only drink regular or dark roast coffee – never, ever decaf. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday.
Thanks so much Sherry! I love baking and cooking with coffee too, such a great ingredient 🙂 Have a great day!
alexis, I loved this post so much, I’m featuring tomorrow for Tuesday Talk! AND- my husband bought us some organic coffee! Woo hoo! Thanks again for sharing this, hope to see you again tomorrow!
Thank you Ruthie!! I appreciate that. How awesome! See you at the link up 🙂
I wonder if I can convince the coffee lovers in my family 🙂 thank you for sharing with Pin Worthy Wednesday Alexis
I hope they can find it useful 🙂