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One of the vital elements and most important compounds of our natural environment
is carbon dioxide. It is in the air we breathe, it is the gas that makes mineral water effervescent, and by assimilation
enables plants to grow. It is also a highly selective solvent for caffeine. In this patented process, the natural
carbon dioxide is used under subcritical conditions i.e. in a liquid state at (relative to the supercritical process)
low temperature and pressure. These particularly gentle process parameters, together with the exceptional caffeine selectivity
of CO2, guarantee a high retention rate of coffee components responsible for aroma and taste. The process can be
described in detail as follows:
The raw, unroasted coffee is moistened with water and put into a vessel where it
is contacted with pressurized liquid carbon dioxide. By circulation through the coffee, the carbon dioxide draws
the caffeine out of the bean. In an evaporator the caffeine precipitates from the CO2 which after evaporation and
recondensation is pumped again into the coffee containing vessel for a new cycle. When the required residual caffeine
level is reached, the CO2 circulation is cut short and the coffee is discharged into a drier where it is gently
dried to about the original moisture content. After that the coffee is ready for roasting.
The specific characteristics of the Natural Liquid Carbon Dioxide Coffee Decaffeination
Process are:
- The compounds responsible for the flavor and taste development in the roasted coffee
are practically left intact (especially fine, high-grade coffees benefit by this fact)
- Absolutely no health risk involved since the coffee is contacted only with 100%
safe substances; the chemically inert (and completely evaporating) carbon dioxide and pure water
- The extraction solvent is all natural - an important aspect that represents a strong
selling point ("Naturally Decaffeinated")
- Certification as "organic" and "Kosher" by appropriate organizations/authorities
- A broad appeal that allows the roaster to offer a high quality, 99.9% caffeine
free decaf that may satisfy even the most discriminating taste.
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