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How much caffeine is in decaf coffee?

Mon, 2006-01-16 21:34 — Daniel

In the United States federal regulations require that in order to label coffee as "decaffeinated" that coffee must have had its caffeine level reduced by no less than 97.5 percent.

Example: Panamanian coffee is about 1.36% caffeine by weight normally. This and many other arabica coffees are about 98.64% caffeine free even before anything is done to lower the caffeine content..

When 97% of the caffeine has been removed only .0408 % of the coffee weight is caffeine. About 4/100ths of 1%. At this level it is labeled "decaffeinated.” How roasters label their products is another matter. Suppose two roasters roast Panama coffee that originally came from the same lot, and were decaffeinated together in the same vat. One roaster labels his decaf. "97.5% Caffeine Removed." The other says his is "99+% Caffeine Free." Which roaster is not telling the truth?

The answer is: They are both right. They are both essentially saying the same thing.

Decaf should range somewhere in the 2-4 milligrams of caffeine per cup range.

Currently used solvents for decaffeinating coffee include, H2O (water), CO2 (Carbon Dioxide), Meth. Chloride, Ethyl Acetate. Note: A relatively new method called Swiss Water Decaffeinated uses "flavor-charged" water in the decaffeinating process.

Comments

Thu, 2008-01-10 05:05 — supersmoker (not verified)

So i assume the level of

So i assume the level of caffeine in decaf is low enough not to keep you out of sleep?

Tue, 2007-09-25 05:21 — Alan Jarrett (not verified)

Arabica Caffeine Content

I am very interested in the comment about, "Panamanian coffee is about 1.36% caffeine by weight normally. This and many other arabica coffees are about 98.64% caffeine free "

Perhaps you could go into more detail about an Arabica coffee being almost caffiene free, as this would be news to me? Of all the research and study I've done over the last 5 years, that is the first time I have read anything like that.

I don't know if you are referring specifically to Arabica coffees from Panama, Central America in general, or Arabica coffees in general.

Tue, 2007-09-25 06:48 — Daniel

Re:Arabica Caffeine Content

1.36% caffeine by weight is not almost caffeine free. It's 1.36% by weight. A number of compounds make up coffee. Caffeine is only one. The point tis that 97.5% caffeine removed and 99+% caffeine free are the same thing because caffeint is naturaly only about 1.4% of coffee.

Arabica has less caffeine than robusta by about 50% but that is it. I suppose since US government regulations look at what percentage of caffeine is removed and not how much is left a coffee starting with robusta could have more caffeine left but realistically it's all very small amounts.

Mon, 2007-09-24 17:08 — drug rehab program (not verified)

better with or without coffee ?

I think it's better to just skip coffee if you are planning to live a healthy life because coffee implies cigarettes and so on so what's there to benefit ?

Fri, 2008-04-04 02:44 — Drug rehab (not verified)

Skipping coffee

I think you're absolutely right. It is healthier to skip coffee entirely.

But I still have a cup every morning!

I don't know why.... I do enjoy the taste but I think its more about the kickstart to the day.

Other than my morning coffee I do a healthy amount of exercise and eat a sensible diet so I have energy through the day.

Tue, 2007-09-25 05:33 — Alan Jarrett (not verified)

Cigaretts and coffee

As a smoker of some 13 years, now free for almost 40 years, coffee has not been a factor in tempting me to go back to smoking. The smell of cigarette smoke can nearly make me sick.

I have de-toxed caffiene from my system on 4 occasions, the most recent this past week. I am always amazed at the fact I have no problem going days without coffee. Because it is a habit, going without it certainly changes my daily routine and I find myself thinking about it.

None the less, there is no addicitve craving that leaves me eating like crazy, the way it did when I went "cold turkey" from smoking, or trying to replace the coffee with some other substance to fill the void.

I don't think my experience is odd, but there is little to compare it with.

Thu, 2007-10-11 13:34 — flyingcupcake (not verified)

Yeah, I just quit smoking.

Yeah, I just quit smoking. It makes me eat like crazy too.

Coffee and cigarettes may go hand in hand but not always. A lot of my smoking buddies don't drink coffee. And the only time I had coffee with a cigarette was in the mornings.

Now, quitting coffee...? That I will never do.

Sat, 2008-07-19 17:57 — Anonymous (not verified)

hey congratulations on

hey congratulations on quitting smoking! enjoy the food and remember to exercise now

Mon, 2007-06-18 11:06 — Brenda L. Fillbrandt (not verified)

Decaffeinated Coffee

I have been reading how caffeine is damaging to your skin, would about four 6oz cups a day of decaffinated coffee have the same effect or not enough to worry about? I am just wanting an opinion. Thank you.

Thu, 2007-09-06 09:29 — Chelsea (not verified)

caffiene

I have a heart condition and my doctor has told me to cut back all together on caffeine. For your responce, he has also asked that i not drink decaff coffee for the reason that there still is a percentage of caffeine in decaff coffee. I kinda seem to think that even at that amount and haveing 6 cups, might not be a good thing?

C

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