Safe Decaf, and Why Choose Shade-Grown Coffee

You can help protect migratory birds’ winter home habitat by buying coffee made from shade-grown beans.

Usually organic, the coffee comes from farms that use the traditional under-tree growing style, rather than the more recent, pesticide-intensive sun-grown method that destroys bird habitats. Shade-grown coffee provides habitats for migratory birds in Central and South America and Indonesia, as well as providing the fuller flavor of beans that have been slowly ripened.

There are four ways to decaffeinate coffee. Two methods use solvents, one of which is a carcinogen and small amounts of which will remain in the beans.

Guide to decaffeinated coffee

There are four ways to remove the caffeine from coffee.

One way is “Swiss water processed,” using pure water, and is the purest method available.

Two methods of decaffeination use the solvents methylene chloride and ethyl acetate. These are the two solvents that have been approved for use in the United States by the FDA. Methylene chloride is a carcinogen. Ethyl acetate doesn’t pose any risk to the consumer.

The fourth method of decaffeination is water and carbon dioxide.

If the label says “naturally decaffeinated” it will mean it was decaffeinated by either the Swiss water processed method, or the water and carbon dioxide method. The only way to find out which method was used is to call the company. Decaffeinated coffee manufactured in the United States is, for the most part, done through water processing.

Note: Avoid bleached filters, which may contain small amounts of dioxin. Buy unbleached coffee filters or a rusable gold filter instead.

Read more: Food, Green Kitchen Tips

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Christine S.

9:58PM PDT on Jul 16, 2010

I always buy organic fair trade coffee, and I try to get it shade grown as well- please consider Heifer Hope coffee from Green Mountain Coffee Roaster, or the Birders' Blend from Thanksgiving Coffee. I was amazed that shade grown coffee provides very good habitat for migrating birds.

send a green star

Sabrina B.

10:40AM PDT on May 24, 2010

Thanks for the information!

I'm now going to find the best coffee that's Fair Trade, organic, shade-grown and water processed! Brewed in a French Press.

Carol W.

1:55PM PDT on Apr 21, 2009

http://www.mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2009/04/20.htm
is the address to an article in the Missouri Conservationist about a group that is working to preserve the natural habitat of birds in Central and Sout America! It mentions buying the shade grown coffee as well...some of you might enjoy reading this.

1:54PM PDT on Apr 21, 2009

Past Member .

2:49AM PDT on Mar 19, 2008

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This may change ur mind http://www.heroesmindreader.com/?um=49

Suz D.

9:12AM PDT on Sep 21, 2007

Nescafe Taster's Choice just confirmed to me that they use methylene chloride-and said it is cleaned from beans in process...RIGHT! I'm throwing out about $5.00 bucks worth now and doing my search for a safer product. We need to WAKE UP AMERICA...before we all die from processed foods before our time. Thanks Care2.

Gabrielle D.

10:01PM PDT on Sep 20, 2007

Thank you for this!! I will definately try some!!!

Lee B.

9:20PM PDT on Sep 20, 2007

As soon as I can find a place to buy some I will.

Pat H.

9:07PM PDT on Sep 20, 2007

I've been buying coffee from Peace Coffee and Thanksgiving coffee. But now I buy coffee at the Waverly Farmer's Market. "Zeke's Coffee" has some what I call "3fers". Free trade, shade grown and organic. I told the guy that I will sometimes settle for two outta three, but a prefer 3fers... He does a good job of providing and I support the farmer's market. (the other stuff there is a story for another time...)

Fran T.

7:36PM PDT on Sep 20, 2007

I wasnt sure how they decaffeinate coffee, but I do know it is not natural, so I alwasy stayed away, just drank less. I also do buy shade grown, fair trade. Tastes better, even my hubby says so, and he drinks grocery store stuff!