Decaffeination involves a number of processes. Some of the processes including SWP (Swiss Water Process Process), Carbon-dioxide procedure, etc. fall under the category of non-solvent techniques. However, under the solvent based approach, direct and indirect solvent methods are applicable. Here, in this article, one would know about SWP in detail before purchasing organic fair trade coffee.
Swiss Water Process for Decaffeination:
In 1933, initiation of this process in Switzerland excluded all chemicals. However, in 1980, a Swiss firm known as Coffex S.A. made this process of decaffeination commercially viable for all.
Without using any solvent, experts use just water in this procedure. Following the steps below, firms decaffeinate coffees:
- Firstly, chemical components are removed which includes caffeine by soaking beans in extremely hot water. Then this water is removed from the caffeine using activated charcoal and not any solvent.
- After this, the beans are placed in hot water again for absorbing the leftover flavor constituents from water.
- This procedure is costly than solvent procedures like direct or indirect ones, as one cannot recover the caffeine from charcoal and sell it separately, which is possible for the solvent approach.
Fair trade coffeeundergoes remarkable Swiss water process for refining as well as improves the processitself as time passes for providing a healthier way of decaffeination. This method is exclusively used for decaffeinating organic coffee. Moreover, every coffee which uses this method has a label which shows ‘Swiss Water’.
People generally use solvent-based methods for decaffeinating inorganic coffee products. Unless the decaf cafe involves SWP process, it doesn’t retain the taste which it should offer.
People opting for gourmet organic fair trade coffee always receive the flavor which they seek. Through this process both aroma and taste increases vividly. It is also healthy as there is no chemical usage in the process of decaffeination.