Decaffeinating coffee beans may seem like a horrendous thing to do to such a wonderful and stimulating drink, but a lot of people do try to avoid caffeine for health reasons so decaf does serve its purpose. Since coffee beans naturally have caffeine in them, the only way to have a decaffeinated coffee is to actively remove it from the beans. The processes used for decaffeinating coffee beans are pretty complex, and not really easy to explain to anyone who doesn't have a degree in chemistry. In terms of maintaining the natural flavor of the coffee, and using the fewest chemicals, the Swiss Water process is considered the best way of decaffeinating coffee. Green (unroasted) coffee beans are soaked in pure water until all the caffeine and other chemicals have been dissolved from the beans. The caffeine is filtered out of the water, leaving an extract that contains all the elements of the coffee bean but without the caffeine. Fresh green beans are added to this liquid, and the caffeine naturally dissolves but all the remaining oils and compounds stay in the beans because there is no variation between the beans and the liquid. This method has no harsh chemicals, and just relies on basic chemical principles to pull the caffeine out of the bean. Beans decaffeinated this way will cost more than any other methods. The other more common method uses ethyl acetate to soak the beans and leach out the caffeine. It's not as healthy, but it's faster and cheaper for the manufacturer. Don't be fooled by labels that claim this is a natural method. Technically, ethyl acetate can be produced from natural sources (fruits or vegetables), but that doesn't make it any less of a chemical solvent. In some cases, synthetic ethyl acetate is used but it's still called a "natural method". If you want something truly natural, stick to Swiss Water decaf. There are some other ways of decaffeinating coffee beans, such as the CO2 process method, and the triglyceride method. There are also other kinds of water processing that shouldn't be confused with the above described Swiss Water method. Swiss Water uses only water, but other types of processing use chemicals along with the water. Even after all of this, there is usually still a little bit of caffeine left in the beans since it is chemically impossible to remove every trace. There is about a 97% reduction in the caffeine levels. It's usually not enough to cause any reactions to the body, and you won't notice any of the usual effects of caffeine. But you have any particular health issues where you cannot take any caffeine at all, then you really shouldn't be drinking decaf. It's definitely not caffeine-free. Ironically, all of these processing options may become moot in the future as a naturally-decaffeinated form of the coffee bean has been discovered recently in Ethiopia. They are still studying the genetic flaw that keeps the plants from producing caffeine, but it could mean that unprocessed decaffeinated coffee beans may be on the shelves some day in the future.
Coffee, Coffee, Coffee
Coffee or Tea
Coffee or tea may seem like a simple enough choice, and it's one we've all heard a thousand times. These may be the most popular hot beverages around (though hot chocolate is also a favorite), but how much do you know about them? They are two very different drinks, even though they are often treated like one in the same. Caffeine Content One of the first differences that people consider between coffee or tea is the caffeine content.
Coffee Coupons | Coffee.org Coffee Coupons
Coffee coupons are a good way to save a little money when you are buying coffee, especially if you are a regular coffee drinker who always has coffee on hand at home. Individual coffee companies like Coffee.org often issue their coffee coupons online, so you may have to check out their websites in order to get them. Eight O'Clock coffee usually has a printable coupon on their website, and Caribou Coffee often sends out special offers and coupons to people on their email list.
Finding the Best Coffee Gift
Choosing the right coffee gift may take a little thought and planning, but it can be most appreciated by any coffee-lover. Before you make your choice, you should find out what the person likes to drink and what kind of coffee equipment they already have. You don't want to give them a product that they don't have the right machine to use. A basket of K-cups isn't going to be a great gift if they don't have a Keurig brewer, for example. If you plan on actually buying a coffee machine, then this won't make that much difference. Sampler Packs - Give someone the gift of variety, and a chance to try out a whole range of new products. Get some unusual or hard-to-find coffee (ground or whole bean, if they have a grinder), and let them experiment a little bit. Try our coffee sampler baskets. Gift Baskets - Everyone loves gift baskets. They make attractive gifts and you can get them with all kinds of combinations of delicious products. For coffee drinkers, a basket with several different varieties of coffee is ideal but you can add in a new mug, a bottle of flavoring syrup or even some Italian biscotti to make the perfect mix. For pod brewers, a pre-made gift basket may be hard to find since pods are still pretty new on the coffee scene. With a little creativity, you can make up your own decorative basket that features pods as well as some of the extras mentioned above. Coffee of the Month - Choosing the right coffee gift doesn't have to stop once you've given it. Many coffee bean companies offer a coffee-of-the-month gift, where you can order a monthly delivery to another person for 6 months or a full year. It's a coffee gift that keeps on giving. Depending on the company, the coffees may be completely random or you can choose a package based on a particular kind of coffee or theme. Most offer the choice of whole bean or ground coffee, though the whole bean will stay fresher during shipping than the pre-ground coffee. Coffee-Flavored Treats - You don't actually have to buy coffee when choosing the right coffee gift. There are so many coffee-flavored products on the market that you can get creative and still give a nod to someone's favorite drink. Candies, chocolates and other sweets usually come in coffee or even espresso varieties, or get something that's not edible with coffee-scented candles or bath-products. Coffee-Related T-shirts or mousepads with fun coffee or caffeine slogans will also put a smile on any coffee drinkers face. You can also give interesting coffee mugs, thermal travel mugs, flavoring syrups, or even just a gift card to his or her favorite local coffee house. Machines and Equipment - While these certainly make great coffee gifts, buying a new brewer may be a bit pricey for your average gift. But if your budget allows for it, why not buy someone a new coffee maker? A sleek modern machine with some fancy features will be a welcome gift if someone has been brewing with a 10-year old drip machine. Or maybe a small espresso machine to expand someone's coffee options. Whatever you choose, a true coffee lover will appreciate anything coffee!
