Coffee is the world's most widely consumed beverage, ranking second only to oil as the world's best-selling commodity. Coffee contains caffeine, which acts as a stimulant for the nervous system. When caffeine reaches the brain, it increases focus and alertness and reduces feelings of fatigue. Caffeine is also used in some medications to treat lethargy and headaches. Numerous studies also indicate that caffeine (in sufficient amounts) is actually beneficial to your health.
But what happens to the body when you consume too much caffeine?
Most health organizations recommend that adults consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, which is equivalent to approximately four cups of coffee. The amount consumed varies depending on health status, physical activity, and individual caffeine sensitivity. The most prominent symptoms of excessive caffeine consumption include rapid heartbeat, insomnia, nervousness and anxiety, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Symptoms vary in severity when caffeine is consumed in amounts higher than the maximum limit, or in amounts higher than usual.
Many people try to reduce their caffeine intake to avoid the above symptoms or to avoid its impact on sleep. For this group, decaf or decaffeinated coffee is an ideal choice.
What is decaf?
Decaf is coffee that has been washed to extract at least 98% of its caffeine content.
How is caffeine removed from coffee?
The process begins with unroasted green coffee beans, which are heated and placed in a liquid solution to remove caffeine from them in one of several ways, the most prominent of which are:
Using only water, using a mixture of water and chemical solvents such as (methylene chloride and ethyl acetate), using a mixture of water and (supercritical carbon dioxide).
All of the above methods are considered safe, as after removing caffeine, the coffee is washed, steamed, and roasted at high temperatures, which evaporates any remaining solution used in the decaffeination process.
Where does the previously dissolved caffeine from coffee go?
"Your loss is my gain"
Caffeine extracted from coffee is used by soft drink and energy drink manufacturers, as well as pharmaceutical companies, which primarily rely on caffeine extracted from decaf processes. Cosmetics have also seen a rise in caffeine use in recent years, as it has been proven to have numerous benefits for the skin and hair.
If you are interested in trying a specialty decaffeinated coffee, you can try our signature product, " Mexico Esmeralda ."
Available through our online store: