How does Starbucks decaffeinate their coffee? (What decaffeination process does Starbucks use?+ More information)

Are you trying to cut back on caffeine and wonder how does Starbucks decaffeinate their coffee, “or whether it is a healthy choice to go for? This article has your answers.

One of my goals this year was to start eating healthy and lessening my caffeine intake was on my to-do list. If you are like me and you still love coffee and are wondering whether Starbucks’ decaffeinated coffee is a healthy choice then read on. You might also be wondering what process they use and whether it is safe, or one hundred percent caffeine-free. If you are, then this article will answer your questions.

A natural process that Starbucks uses to decaffeinate their coffee is by using ethyl acetate which is an ester found in fruits such as bananas and apples. This chemical is also found in coffee. As a liquid solvent, this natural chemical is passed through a flat surface of wet green coffee beans, and through this process, some of the caffeine is removed. Another chemical that does the same is methylene chloride. This chemical is not completely healthy. Lastly, there is a variety of arabica coffee that is low in caffeine and researchers have proven that through breeding, they can produce more of the same.

What decaffeination process does Starbucks use?

At Starbucks, the process used to decaffeinate coffee is mostly chemical which has been proven harmful to humans and the environment. It uses methylene chloride to decaff its beans. This process does away with up to 97% of the caffeine. Some other coffee brands have been known to use the Swiss water process as well as carbon (iv) oxide extraction, both of which have been shown to be harmless.

Can Starbucks make any coffee decaf?

Yes, any type of coffee beans at Starbucks can be made decaf. Therefore, any latte, espresso, regular coffee, cappuccino, Frappuccino, macchiato, americano, flat white, or mocha can be made decaf. So if you are comfortable with traces of caffeine present and still want to enjoy your coffee the way you love it then you can.

Does Starbucks decaf coffee taste different?

On one occasion, a gourmet traveler found coffee tasters that were blinded and unable to tell the difference between regular and decaf coffee. Some even said the decaff tasted better. This coupled with a 5.0 review on Amazon leaves one with no doubt that indeed it tastes great. While other decaff brands may be mellow in taste and not very strong, Starbucks coffee outshines them by offering coffee that leads in fame and taste.

Though this is so, it is important to mention that the different varieties of decaff processing procedures, and the chemicals involved, may attribute to this. To add to this, different coffee beans also have different tastes and it is these complexities that may be attributed to the differences in taste.

Is Starbucks decaf coffee caffeine-free?

Starbucks only reduces the amount of caffeine in coffee but does not completely remove all of it. Traces of it remain. All decaf coffees have 7 milligrams of caffeine for every 236-milligram cup of coffee. This means that if you aim to completely do away with coffee then you would have to start taking another beverage.

How healthy is Starbucks’ decaffeinated coffee?

This coffee has antioxidants that control the free radicals and prevent oxidative damage which in turn prevent diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, and Type 2 diabetes. It has magnesium which prevents the body from disease, most especially, diabetes.

Are there any health risks when it comes to decaffeinated coffee?

Following are risks that are associated with taking decaffeinated coffee

• It increases levels of LDL cholesterol which can cause heart disease.
• It may increase the chances of getting Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• It can increase heartburn and acidity.
• It can make one have headaches or even cause drowsiness.
• It can lessen the chances of iron absorption which is an important blood component.

What is the healthiest decaff coffee?

At the moment, the Swiss water decaf is the healthiest option in the market. It is chemical-free, retains the coffee flavor when used as a decaf procedure, and also retains most antioxidants. These antioxidants are useful because they help prevent various diseases as mentioned before. The fact that it does not use chemicals makes it environment friendly, therefore making it an all-around choice.

Swiss water decaf was started in Switzerland during the 1930s. It involves four major processes, namely:

Separate

Here raw green beans are passed in scalding hot water to remove the caffeine from the beans.

Filter

The beans are then passed through charcoal and because charcoal is porous, it filters out, caffeine molecules from the solution. After this procedure, the beans have no flavor.

Soak

Another batch of fresh green beans is passed through step two to remove the caffeine. After this, they are soaked together with the batch from steps one and two to infuse the rich taste of coffee, bringing back the flavor.

Dry

They are then dried, then roasted, brewed, and ready for use.

Does Starbucks’ decaffeinated coffee spike your blood sugar levels?

Regular coffee can but decaf coffee lessens the effect so if your blood sugar spikes after taking your morning cup of coffee, you could switch to decaf coffee in the morning. Though it is similar in taste, it will be healthier for you. Even though it still has traces of caffeine, it will still be a better option for you.

Frequently asked questions

Is Starbucks’ decaf coffee carcinogenic?

Yes, it can be considered so mostly because it uses methylene chloride to decaffeinate its coffee. In other words, you could say that yes, this coffee can cause cancer.

It is important to mention however that according to the U.S Food and Drug Administration, this chemical is safe to use so some might argue that this chemical is, in fact, fit for human consumption.

What brands have naturally decaffeinated coffee?

Some of the commonly known brands are:

• 365 Organic Everyday Value Decaf Coffee
• Folgers Decaf Coffee.
• Dazbog Decaf Coffee.

What is worse between caffeine and sugar?

Caffeine is better than sugar. High sugar consumption causes overproduction of glucose which gets stored as fat. When caffeine is taken in moderation, it is good for you.