Swiss Water Process

A jolt of caffeine is sometimes all we need to wake us from the grogginess of sleep, but there is a time and place for caffeine. According to the Food and Drug Administration, an average adult can safely consume up to 400 milligrams of coffee per day. Because an eight-ounce cup of coffee contains approximately 75 milligrams of caffeine, you should consume no more than two to four cups per day. Whether you need a pick-me-up in the late afternoon or you are monitoring your caffeine consumption, decaffeination may be your solution. There are several ways to decaffeinate coffee, but one was introduced by Coffex in 1979 and changed the decaf market forever. Keep reading to learn how coffee is decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process by growers and coffeehouses around the globe.

In the past, water decaffeination methods were considered detrimental to the final flavor and aroma. With advances in technology and ongoing research, decaffeination processes have improved to supersaturate green coffee beans without losing their original essences. Some manufacturers claim small-batch decaffeination, in which they remove caffeine in a gentle, chemical-free way. Around the world, this popular non-solvent method is also known as the Swiss Water Process. In this process, manufacturers use water to remove caffeine within a vessel. Combining water with coffee extract that has already been decaffeinated to an extent, green coffee beans are circulated within the extraction battery for a predetermined amount of time before being rinsed and dried for roasting.

Although the Swiss Water Process may be costlier compared to solvent processes of decaffeinated, it results in coffee that is approximately 99.9% caffeine-free. Decaffeinated coffee is an excellent alternative to caffeinated beverages, especially during the late afternoon or early evening. You can still enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee without staying awake late into the night. If you have any questions about the Swiss Water Process, please contact a member of the CoffeeCow team for additional information.