Decaffeinated coffee might seem like the ultimate oxymoron. However, over the years we’ve noticed increasing demand for decaffeinated options from our clients and customers. Recent data from the researcher Kantar Worldpanel supports this curve, stating that demand for decaf coffee has increased by 20% since 2017. If you’re one of those people who are a little more sensitive to the effects of a brew, or if you’re simply conscious of limiting your caffeine intake, then our newly launched Perkee Decaf is the one for you.
Does the decaffeination process harm the coffee beans? I hear you ask.
Not at all. Historically, decaffeinated coffee has suffered from a bad reputation. This is largely due to the fact that harmful decaffeination processes have stripped the beans of their character and taste. Many coffee brands still choose to decaffeinate their beans in this way and use chemical solvents such as methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. At Perkee, we’ve made sure to protect all the beautiful aromatic and flavourful compounds within our sustainably sourced beans by taking the time to develop a totally organic method of caffeine extraction.  This simple process employs two completely natural ingredients: carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O)
Here it is in a nutshell:
STEP 1: liquid CO2
In order to extract caffeine, CO2Â needs to be turned into liquid form. So, we put all the gas molecules into a cylinder and increase the pressure until they get so close together that they transform into a liquid.
STEP 2: prep beans
We prepare our Perkee coffee beans for extraction by steaming them. This opens their pores in the same way as it would our skin.
STEP 3: extract caffeine
The pre-moistened coffee beans are then immersed in liquid CO2 which infiltrates the pores and absorbs the caffeine.
STEP 4: depressurise, separate + repeat
The liquid CO2 is then pumped into an evaporator where the pressure is released and it changes back into gas. At this point, the caffeine is separated from the CO2. As the CO2 can only absorb so much caffeine at a time, it is then recycled to repeat the whole process until at least 99.9% of the beans’ caffeine has been removed.
That’s the secret to making a good decaf. Two completely natural ingredients used in a process that can be repeated for up to four days. So, now you can enjoy your cup of Perkee decaf coffee without missing out on all that rich taste.