When it comes to decaf coffee, many people worry about chemical residues or flavor loss. However, this method can send caution into the air when people here about the solvent used to extract the caffeine: the Ethyl Acetate (EA) Decaf process, also known as the Sugar Cane Process. Let’s take a closer look at how this fascinating process works to deliver coffee that’s not only caffeine-free but also full of flavor and more importantly how the end product ends up with no traces of the solvent used.
Ethyl Acetate is a naturally occurring compound, often derived from sugar cane molasses fermentation. While its name may sound intimidating, it’s simply a combination of ethanol (alcohol) and acetic acid (the primary acid in vinegar)—both natural and food-safe. Ethyl Acetate is also found in everyday fruits like apples, pears and bananas.
Its role in decaffeination is straightforward: it selectively binds to caffeine, removing it from the coffee beans without altering the beans’ essential flavors. The Sugar Cane Process, as it’s often called, is valued for its natural, sustainable approach and its ability to preserve the coffee’s character. For coffee lovers who are skeptical about decaf, this method provides an excellent alternative. In fact, in the roastery when we're doing tastings, it's not uncommon for Sugar Cane decafs to score higher than normal caffeinated counterparts.
To truly understand the Ethyl Acetate process, it helps to follow the journey of coffee beans through the entire process. This process is meticulous, ensuring the highest quality decaf coffee for you to enjoy.
Every journey begins with preparation. Coffee beans arrive at the decaffeination facility from their respective farms, where they are unloaded and cleaned. Not all coffee sent for decaffeination is specialty-grade—many are commercial-grade beans that benefit from this rigorous cleaning process, but we don't care about them because we only purchase higher Specialty Grade. Dust, foreign objects, or any other impurities are removed at this stage. Clean, high-quality beans are essential for consistent results in the decaffeination process.
Before the caffeine is extracted, the beans undergo a gentle steaming process. This crucial step opens up the beans’ pores, allowing the Ethyl Acetate to penetrate deeply and work more efficiently. It’s a natural way to prepare the coffee for the extraction process without introducing any harsh treatments.
The beans are then transferred to large extraction tanks. Here, the magic begins. Water & Ethyl Acetate are introduced and mixed directly with the green coffee beans. This solution binds to the caffeine molecules, selectively removing them from the beans while leaving other compounds—like oils and flavor molecules—untouched.
This process typically takes about 8 hours, during which the Ethyl Acetate solution is refreshed multiple times to ensure that as much caffeine as possible is removed. This step is carefully monitored to ensure consistency, and the result is coffee that is at the very least, 97% caffeine-free. Most of our arrivals are above 99% caffeine free.
Once the decaffeination is complete, any residual Ethyl Acetate must be removed. This is done through steam stripping, a two-stage process where steam is pumped into the tanks to evaporate any remaining solvent. Ethyl Acetate’s low boiling point (around 77.1°C) makes this step effective and ensures that no traces remain on the beans.
The beans are then dried back to their original moisture levels, usually between 10% and 12%. After drying, the beans are polished. This step, while not strictly necessary, is often requested by customers as it enhances the beans’ appearance.
Every batch of decaf coffee undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets quality standards. Samples are tested for residual caffeine content, using advanced techniques like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The beans are also cupped (tasted) to evaluate flavor and aroma, ensuring that the decaffeination process hasn’t diminished the coffee’s unique character.
Did you know that caffeine itself has value? Rather than discarding it, the extracted caffeine undergoes its own purification process. This involves filtration and crystallization to produce caffeine suitable for use in soft drinks, pharmaceuticals, and other products. The result is a pure, safe caffeine product, ensuring that nothing from the decaffeination process goes to waste.
If you’re still on the fence about decaf coffee, here’s why the Ethyl Acetate process deserves your attention:
Natural Origins: Ethyl Acetate used in this process is derived from natural sources like sugar cane, ensuring it aligns with environmentally friendly and health-conscious practices.
Flavor Preservation: By selectively targeting caffeine, the process retains the coffee’s natural flavors and aromatic compounds, giving you a decaf that’s as enjoyable as its caffeinated counterpart. We find these to have much more sweetness, complexity and acidity than all the other decaffeination methods.
Chemical-Free Assurance: Any residual Ethyl Acetate is thoroughly cleaned and removed. The best part is Ethyl Acetate's evaporation point is around 77.1°C. So even if there was residual EA remaining, when we roast, we get up to temperatures over 210°C meaning it has well and truly completely evaporated.
The Ethyl Acetate decaffeination process offers a unique combination of science, sustainability, and artistry. It’s designed to cater to coffee lovers who want the best of both worlds: the rich taste of coffee and the freedom to enjoy it without caffeine.
Whether you’re cutting back on caffeine for health reasons or simply want to enjoy an evening cup without sacrificing sleep, Sugarcane decaf is an excellent choice. So, why not give it a try and experience the care and innovation that goes into every bean?
We’d love to hear from you! Have you brewed coffee decaffeinated with the Sugar Cane Process? Did it surprise you with its flavor? Share your thoughts in the comments below—your feedback helps us continue to bring you the best coffee experiences possible.
Embrace the world of decaf with confidence, knowing your coffee is crafted with care. From bean to brew, the Ethyl Acetate process ensures a cup of coffee that’s worry-free and full of flavor.
We partnered up with James Hoffmann in bringing tasting kits to the people of the Australian Coffee community. Watch this awesome video where he does a walkthrough of a decaffeination facility and probably does a better job explaining it than me.
Watch it below.
