Coffee drinkers who adore the taste of coffee but don’t want the effects of caffeine turn to decaf coffee as the perfect alternative. With trends showing a rise in decaf coffee products, consumers must remain conscious of the quality of the decaf coffee they consume. National nonprofit Clean Label Project has recently elevated its efforts to spread awareness of the lurking chemicals within many decaf coffees. Clean Label Project urges decaf coffee drinkers to learn about the Swiss Water decaf coffee method, an alternative, water-based process for decaffeinating coffee without using chemicals.
We gathered expert insight from Jackie Bowen, Executive Director of Clean Label Project, to learn more about what makes the Swiss Water decaf coffee method a superior decaffeination method over traditional chemical-based methods.
Traditional coffee decaffeination methods utilize a “direct solvent,” such as methylene chloride, to remove around 97% of the caffeine from coffee. This process involves placing coffee beans in a heated solvent and separating the solvent to remove caffeine. It’s possible your favorite decaf coffee brand uses this method, but they’re not required to list it on the label.
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Alternatively, the Swiss Water decaf method effectively removes caffeine from your coffee without using chemicals. This process uses time and temperature to remove caffeine, starting by placing coffee beans in heated water. From here, caffeine is removed from coffee beans and separated out from the water, with the process continuing until the desired amount of caffeine is removed from the beans.
Before diving into the ins and outs of the swiss water decaf method, Jackie first touched on understanding how the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates decaffeinated coffee for coffee manufacturers. “The FDA sets clear limits on the amount of caffeine allowed and maximum levels of residual chemical solvents that can remain in the product.” Through the Clean Label Project’s rigorous testing, most brands have been found to comply with these regulatory thresholds. However, Jacyln warns that these “regulations haven’t been revised or updated in nearly 40 years — a troubling gap given advancements in science and health awareness”.
“Just last year, a coalition including the Environmental Defense Fund, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Center for Environmental Health, Environmental Working Group (EWG), and environmental health consultant Lisa Lefferts petitioned the FDA to ban four carcinogenic chemicals currently approved for use in food. Among these chemicals is methylene chloride, a solvent also used as the active ingredient in paint stripper, which the Environmental Protection Agency recently banned for consumer use. Despite this, methylene chloride is still permitted in the decaffeination process for coffee—a shocking contradiction that underscores the urgent need for regulatory reform.”
Earlier this year, Dr. Maria Doa, senior director of chemical policy for the Environmental Defense Fund, said in a CNN article: In addition to being carcinogenic, methylene chloride can cause other health harms, such as liver toxicity and at higher exposure neurological effects, and in some cases death.” Despite this rising awareness, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits decaf coffee to contain up to 10 parts per million (ppm) of methylene chloride.
The overwhelming variety of decaf options on store shelves can confuse some consumers about how to pick the healthiest decaf coffee. With taste and price top-of-mind for most consumers, critical components such as “sustainability, certified organic status, and chemical-free decaffeination processes” are ignored. Jackie recommends that shoppers committed to a clean-eating lifestyle avoid decaf coffees that use chemical solvents in decaffeination. She also highlighted that making choices like this “empowers consumers to align their coffee habits with their values, without compromising on quality.”
Jackie and the rest of the Clean Label Project team strive to “empower consumers to make informed decisions whenever they shop. Take decaf coffee, for example—an everyday staple that often conceals an overlooked truth: the decaffeination process is rarely disclosed. Many methods involve harsh chemical solvents, which can leave behind residues. By exposing these hidden realities of modern food production and highlighting safer, more transparent alternatives, we aim to drive awareness and inspire positive change in how food and beverages are produced and consumed.”
“Without transparency around the decaffeination process, these consumers may unknowingly be exposed to unintended chemicals—albeit within compliant levels. This lack of clarity can make it difficult for them to make informed choices that align with their health goals.” Since the FDA does not currently require brands to disclose their decaffeinated process on the label, shopping for decaf coffee today is harder than it should be.
How to use Clean Label Project data
Though shopping for decaf coffee can be tricky, the data collected by the Clean Label Project is available for all health-conscious shoppers to check out. Luckily, theClean Label Project has tested several of the most popular decaf coffee brands to see whether methylene chloride is present in the brew. “Consumers visiting our Clean Label Project online can educate themselves and make an informed decision about their favorite decaf brands,” she adds. Before shopping for coffee, check the Clean Label Project’s data to help you choose a high-quality decaf coffee brand.
Klatch Coffee’s Red Envelope Celebration Trio Gift Set celebrates the culture of the Lunar New Year
Southern California coffee roaster Klatch Coffee has launched a limited-time-only gift set designed to celebrate the culture around the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. This limited-time coffee trio launched today and will be available for purchase until February 14, 2025, in celebration of this year's Lunar New Year, which starts on January 29th. Packaged in a handsome box with traditional red and gold colors, the Red Envelope Celebration Trio Gift Set is themed for the "red envelope" tradition of gifting. Inside this coffee trio, you'll find a sampling of three exclusive Klatch Coffee roasts, each packaged in 113-gram bags:
Eureka: Be one of the first to try our new soon-to-be-released Eureka blend, and indulge in smooth milk chocolatey vibes, caramelized sugar, and creamy vanilla.
Mocha Java: Made from various beans from the Java, Indonesia region, this blend boasts flavor notes of brandy-toned chocolate, nutty almonds, and hints of blueberry top notes.
Organic Sumatra: Experience the delightful notes of baker's chocolate, graham cracker, and a cedar finish in every cup of this coffee from Sumatra, Indonesia.
How much caffeine is in coffee? A guide to your daily coffee intake
Learn how to become more aware of your caffeine habits
The question and thought: "How much caffeine in coffee?" is one I like to avoid thinking about whenever possible. If you're anything like me, you already know you drink too much coffee and, thus, are probably consuming too much caffeine. Unfortunately, however, ignoring the question doesn't change the harsh reality. Most of us don't know how much caffeine we consume daily.
If you've committed to a health journey to lower your caffeine intake, you'll need to know how much caffeine is in your cup of coffee. In this guide, we'll break down how much caffeine is in coffee and how you can easily keep track of your caffeine intake to support your health and wellness goals.
How much caffeine in coffee?
Boyd’s Coffee revitalizes 125-year-old brand to offer coffee direct to consumers
You can now buy Boyd's Coffee for yourself
Boyd's Coffee has been a leading coffee brand in B2B markets for nearly 125 years. Founded in 1900, Boyd’s Coffee is passionate about sourcing the finest coffee beans, ensuring each cup delivers unforgettable flavor and consistency. Today, the brand announced an exciting shift in priorities with the launch of direct-to-consumer coffee sales. Consumers can purchase the brand's quality coffee to increase customer engagement and expand outreach. Entering the market with a "fuel not fashion" tagline, this brand is perfect for those who want to enjoy an exceptional cup of coffee without distraction and a "no-nonsense" experience.
Boyd's Coffee portfolio includes a diverse range of classic light, medium, and dark roast coffee blends, flavored coffees, and single-origin offerings. Products for in-home use now include compostable single-pod coffees and ground bean retail bags made from high-quality Arabica coffee. Bagged coffees are available in 12-ounce bags that include distinctive blends like Breaktime, a rich medium roast with chocolate tones, or French No.6, a dark roast with notes of dark chocolate and toasted walnut notes.
"We are excited to honor our heritage while embracing a digital age filled with modern coffee lovers," said Farmer Brothers Vice President of Coffee, Matthew Swenson. "The Boyd’s Coffee brand will offer a nostalgic connection to our origins in Portland, Oregon, and a 100 percent Arabica coffee made for our ambitious customers looking for a no-nonsense coffee experience.” Boyd’s Coffee invites achievers to share in the journey of refreshing the coffee landscape while creating unforgettable moments enjoying exceptional coffee — one perfect cup at a time.
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