DECAFEINATED COFFEE
The major pharmacologically active ingredient in coffee is caffeine, chemically known as 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine. Caffeine occurs naturally in some 60 plant species, of which cocoa-beans, tea and coffee are the most well known. Caffeine is added to many popular carbonated drinks, and is a component of a number of pharmacological preparations and over-the-counter medication including analgesics (where caffeine assists the pain relieving effect), diet aids, and cold/flu remedies.

- NESCAFÉ Original Decaff
The effects of caffeine have been the subject of considerable discussion and research, due in no small part to the popularity of coffee, which is acknowledged as being one of the worlds favourite drinks. Thousands of scientific studies have been published on the effects of coffee and caffeine on health, the overall conclusion of which confirms that coffee drinking in moderation (4-5 cups per day) is perfectly safe for the general population and may confer health benefits. However, some individuals may choose to consume decaffeinated coffee, tea, or soft drinks, especially later in the day.

- NESCAFÉ Gold Blend Decaff
DECAFFEINATED COFFEE is coffee which has had almost all of the caffeine removed. Commercial decaffeination processes were started in Germany during the early part of the 20th century. There are different methods of decaffeination, though the end result is more or less the same. All methods safely and selectively remove the caffeine, leaving a maximum of 0.3%.
There are three methods of decaffeination used: Water decaffeination, Solvent decaffeination and Carbon Dioxide decaffeination. All methods are subject to legislation and all achieve good results for both instant and roast & ground coffee.
Water Decaffeination
This method uses water to dissolve the caffeine from green coffee beans prior to roasting. Water is run through coffee beans, creating an extract that is then filtered through activated carbon to remove the caffeine. After this process, the liquid that is left, containing the coffee flavours, without all the caffeine, is then re-introduced to the decaffeinated beans.

Solvent Decaffeination
Solvents which can be used to selectively remove caffeine from green beans include methylene chloride (dichloromethane), and ethyl acetate which is a natural component of fruits, vegetables and many other foodstuffs. The process involves using a solvent to dissolve the caffeine out of pre-wetted green beans. The decaffeinated green coffee beans are then dried, and ready for roasting. The roasting and grinding process further evaporates any minute residues of solvent which might remain in the coffee, and there are strict European limits governing the levels of any solvent residues in the decaffeinated beans. In fact, manufacturers operate well below these limits, ensuring the purity of the final product.
Carbon Dioxide Decaffeination
Caffeine can be dissolved out of pre-wetted green beans by contact with super-critical carbon dioxide. Carbon-dioxide in a gaseous form is a normal constituent of air. This method does not involve the use of additional solvents, and the used carbon dioxide can be passed through active carbon to remove the caffeine, so that it can be recycled. The decaffeinated beans are dried, and ready for roasting.

- NESCAFÉ Gold Blend Half Caff 100g jar
NESTLÉ AND DECAFFEINATED COFFEE
Nestlé UK uses the Water Decaffeination method for all of its decaffeinated coffees.
NESCAFÉ Decaffeinated
When you choose NESCAFÉ Decaff, you don't need to compromise on taste, as NESCAFÉ DEcaff gives you all the great taste and rich aroma you'd expect from NESCAFÉ but without all the caffeine.
NESCAFÉ Decaff comes in 2 variants: NESCAFÉ Original Decaff and NESCAFÉ Gold Blend Decaff, so you can enjoy the same great taste but just without the caffeine.
NESCAFÉ offers you the most choice in instant coffee and with the launch of Half Caff there is even more to choose from. Half Caff is the first mid-caffeinated coffee in the UK and there are two to choose from, Original Half Caff and Gold Blend Half Caff. Both have the same great taste as the caffeinated product with half the caffeine.
Half Caff offers you even more choice to suit your lifestyle and ensure your coffee moment is the same as you've always enjoyed from NESCAFÉ.
SUMMARY
Some people choose to drink decaffeinated coffee. Caffeine is a mild stimulant, and some people who drink coffee do not always want the mild stimulatory effects. Many consumers drink both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, depending on their mood or time of day.
Much of the above information is taken from the British Coffee Association website - www.britishcoffeeassociation.org.
For further information, please contact The British Coffee Association Information Service:
Tel: 01608 644995
E-mail bcainformation@btopenworld.com
View Nestlé Nutrition Information for Beverages