How Much Caffeine Is In Decaf Latte (Real Facts Explained!) 


How Much Caffeine Is In Decaf Latte

Have you ever asked yourself how much Caffeine is in Decaf Latte? Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.

Despite what you may think, decaf lattes still have caffeine in them. USDA regulations state that decaf levels should not exceed 0.10 percent on a dry basis, which means that even with your decaf latte, you’re still drinking caffeine. 

But how much?

So, how much caffeine is in Decaf Latte? On average, a 12-ounce latte that usually contains 140mg of caffeine would only contain 7mg of caffeine once it has undergone decaffeination. 

This is because, after the decaffeination process, decaf coffee should have had at least 97% of its former caffeine removed. Still, some processes remove more, whereas other processes remove less.

We will go into a little more detail about how exactly this caffeine is removed, the side effects of decaf lattes, and what this means for your average latte.

Read Also: How Much Caffeine Is in Decaf Starbucks Coffee? (Real Numbers!)

Role of Caffeine in Coffee

Of course, everyone loves their daily caffeine latte. It helps us to stay away, be more present, and be more positive. 64 percent of Americans drink coffee every day, and many of us seem to rely on it. 

Still, there are many reasons why people may want to cut out caffeine. Perhaps they have a health condition that is exacerbated by caffeine, or they feel to have become “addicted” to caffeine, or they just want to lower their caffeine intake to increase their overall health.

Whatever the reason, there’s no harm in cutting out caffeine where possible.

How is Caffeine Removed from Coffee?

There are three main processes that can remove caffeine from coffee. Either water, organic solvents, or carbon dioxide are used to draw out the caffeine from the coffee beans.

All of these methods begin by either soaking or steaming the unroasted coffee beans until the pores of the beans are opened or the caffeine has been dissolved.

Solvent-Based Decaffeination

This is one of the most popular methods of removing caffeine from coffee beans and is used by combining methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, and water to create a caffeine-extracting solvent. 

Once the caffeine has been removed and the chemicals have evaporated, they are no longer present in the coffee.

However, these aren’t particularly gentle chemicals. Methylene chloride can be used to strip away paint or grease, whereas ethyl acetate is often found in nail polish removers. As such, many people consider the following two decaffeination processes to be better and healthier.

Swiss Water Decaffeination Process

This is arguably the best way to remove caffeine from coffee beans, due to the fact that it is the only organic method of decaffeination. It works with osmosis, which extracts the caffeine naturally. This method guarantees that 99.9% of the caffeine has been removed from the final product.

Carbon Dioxide Decaffeination Process

This method was only recently introduced to the world of decaffeination, but it has quickly found popularity. It utilizes carbon dioxide, a compound that is naturally found in coffee, to remove the caffeine.

This method leaves the other flavor compounds intact, but it can be quite an expensive method.

Bear in mind that the decaffeination process does affect both the smell and taste of the brew, resulting in a milder flavor and an altered brew color.

Health Warnings of Decaffeinated Coffee

Whilst decaffeinated coffee can be a great option for those looking to cut their caffeine intake, there is still enough to be a cause of concern for people with health issues. 

For example, if you know that you are susceptible to a small amount of caffeine, then even decaffeinated lattes could cause a problem. Especially if you suffer from agitation, anxiety, headaches, irritability, insomnia, nausea, or a heightened heart rate or blood pressure after consuming caffeine.

If you have been advised to cut your caffeine intake due to anxiety disorders, caffeine sensitivity, or kidney disease, then you might want to find an alternative to decaffeinated coffee.

You should also be aware that caffeine can also interact with some medications, and it is advised that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should decrease their caffeine intake. As such, always check with a medical practitioner if you have any qualms. 

As a general rule of thumb, even five cups of decaf coffee could be the same amount as one to two cups of regular, caffeinated coffee.

Read Also: Does Club Soda Have Caffeine (Top Secret!)

Effects of Caffeine Sensitivity

One of the key issues relating to caffeine sensitivity is heartburn. This means that those who suffer from heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may want to stay away from coffee, decaf, or not.

Not just that, but the heartburn that comes as a side effect of caffeine can affect those who suffer from other medical conditions. 

However, if you still want to drink coffee, a decaf dark roast would be your best option, due to the fact that it is both lower in caffeine and is less acidic.

Societal Opinions on Caffeine

In a society where everyone must be busy all the time or working towards a greater goal, caffeine is hailed as a necessity in daily life. Drinking coffee regularly has almost become a personality trait, which suggests to others that people rely on you to be quick, sharp, and ready for anything.

If you prefer to drink decaffeinated coffee over regular coffee, you may find yourself shunned by those who consider it an “old person” drink. As such, making the switch to decaffeinated lattes can be difficult in such a stressed, work-heavy culture.

Still, caffeine culture is starting to face a backlash. More people are becoming aware of the damage that a fuelled-by-caffeine culture can create, and as such, more caffeine-free options are becoming available in cafes and shops around the world.

The Bottom Line

In low doses, caffeine can be a helpful addition to an average diet. It helps us to stay awake and be more alert, can make us more supportive in social situations, and can even reduce the risk of workplace accidents.

However, it may not be great if you suffer from anxiety or other health conditions, and as such, these people might want to consider decaf coffee.


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References

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/caffeine-in-decaf#caffeine-content

Lindsey

Lindsey graduated with an MBA in 2009. Since then, Lindsey has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Lindsey is also the head writer and Co-founder of Rvandplaya.com. Lindsey is based in Morgantown, West Virginia.

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