THE DIRT
If you generally opt for decaf coffee you should be careful when choosing which brand you choose as not all decaf is created equal and some of it can be just nasty!
Decaffeination
- There are a few different methods of decaffeination, including processes that involve potentially toxic chemical solvents like methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, and highly pressurized carbon dioxide
- Methylene chloride is considered a ‘potential occupational carcinogen’, and is also used for paint stripping, metal cleaning and degreasing
- Even though ethyl acetate is a naturally occurring substance, the synthetic version is most commonly used in the decaffeination process. It is also a volatile organic compound (VOC) found in nail polish, thinners for paint lacquers and used for dry cleaning
Swiss water method
- If you still want to enjoy the taste of coffee without the caffeine and potentially harmful chemicals, then it’s worth making sure your coffee is organic and decaffeinated with the swiss water method (SWP = swiss water process)
- This method is completely chemical free, and uses hot water, osmosis and a green coffee bean extract (containing essential oils) to remove caffeine from coffee beans
- It also removes 94 – 96% of caffeine and retains more flavour than the chemical solvent methods of decaffeination
Low caffeine coffee beans
- Another alternative to chemically decaffeinated coffee is naturally low caffeine coffee beans
- Daterra Coffee has recently released Opus 1 Exotic, which is the first naturally grown 100% Arabica coffee with less than 1% caffeine
- It has also been developed through 12 years of natural breeding and cultivation (not genetically modified) and is Rainforest Alliance certified
G SPOT Choose one of our favourite coffees (see below) and then settle in for a good read on our blog, this month there is everything from FREE eco- fashion magazines, ethical cafes, organic t-shirts for kiddies and more.
COME CLEAN
So if you are choosing decaf; choose CERTIFIED ORGANIC, SWISS WATER FILTERED and FAIR TRADE and you have found yourself a guilt free cuppa!
We have done the taste testing (yes it is a hard life!) and here are our top picks, all available nationally:
Toby’s Estate Cascadia Blend Decaffeinated (SWP) Fairtrade Organic Rainforest Alliance Organic, Fairtrade, Bird Friendly and Rainforest Alliance. A blend of Central, South American and Indonesian coffees. This coffee has great body and sweet, clean vanilla notes.
Perthites can enjoy Toby's Estate coffee at the Leaf and Bean Emporium, 178A Scarborough Beach Rd, Mt Hawthorn, phone 94436373 or just pop in for an ethical cuppa and something yummy! Read more on our BLOG.
Alison Muir of Epicurean Enterprises is the distributor of Toby’s Estate in WA, and can be contacted on 0411 128 837.
Sacred Grounds have a deliciously caramel tasting certified organic decaf blend which also uses the swiss water method and is made from 100% Arabica beans.
Five Senses uses have a wonderfully smooth fair trade coffee made from certified organic coffee beans and the swiss water method. They are awaiting organic certification for their processing.
Biobean offer a fair trade, certified organic, SWP version of the wonderful Cafe Femenino bean from Peru. This coffee is a full-bodied roast from Peru, where the beans are grown and harvested only by women.
Rubra offer the Brazil Opus 1 Natural Decaf, which is certified organic and rainforest alliance certified. This coffee is grown to be naturally lower in caffeine, so it does not require decafination.
Want more info about coffee? Pick up CleanFood 6, available in newsagents now. This issue has a story on organic coffee and also features two of Gina’s articles on sustainable seafood and the risks of conventional hair care treatments. www.cleanfood.com.au
Looking for more information on all things eco-friendly, organic and non-toxic?Visit the CleanLife Directory
References
Catchpole, H. 2006. Caffeine. http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/stories/2006/04/27/1829125.htm (accessed September 15, 2008).
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. 2006. Ethyl acetate fact sheet. http://www.npi.gov.au/database/substance-info/profiles/38.html (accessed September 15, 2008).
Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance, Inc. 2008. White Paper on Methylene Chloride. http://www.hsia.org/white_papers/dcm%20wp.htm (accessed September 15, 2008).
Jacobs, R. n.d. Caffeine and The Bean. http://www.ineedcoffee.com/99/decaf/ (accessed September 14, 2008).
Occupational Safety & Health Administration. 2007. Safety and Health Topics - Methylene Chloride. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/methylenechloride/index.html (accessed September 15, 2008).
Rubra. 2008. Here Now at Rubra the world's first and only coffee naturally grown with only 1% caffeine. http://www.rubra.com.au/news (accessed September 14, 2008).
Swiss Water n.d. Decaf education video.
http://www.swisswater.com/decaf/process (accessed September 24th, 2008).
Toby’s Estate. n.d. Decaffeinated Coffee. http://www.tobysestate.com.au/cat/index.cgi/shopfront/view_by_category?category_id=1480 (accessed September 14, 2008).
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