Lavazza Decaffeinato 250 g, ground coffee

A blend of decaffeinated coffee for preparing authentic Italian espresso, made from the finest coffee varieties from around the world.

Decaffeinated coffee is coffee from which caffeine has been removed, or its concentration reduced by about 97%. It is recommended as a substitute for regular coffee, together with chicory or other caffeine-free coffee substitutes, for people with heart conditions or hypertension. It accounts for about 10% of global coffee consumption. It is available as both classic ground coffee and instant coffee. One cup (240 ml) of decaffeinated coffee contains approximately 2–12 mg of caffeine, while a cup of regular coffee contains around 100 mg or more. The decaffeinated coffee process was patented by Ludwig Roselius in 1905.

European process is the most common method of decaffeination. Green coffee beans are soaked in water and then rinsed with methylene chloride, which absorbs the caffeine. Finally, the coffee is washed again in water and dried. This process preserves the aroma and taste, with only slight hints of chemical flavor in the aftertaste.

Swiss water process avoids chemicals but results in coffee that is less aromatic and less flavorful. The beans are fully soaked in hot water and steam, then the extract is filtered through activated carbon filters. After caffeine is removed from the extract, the beans are re-soaked to reabsorb their aroma and taste. After drying, the coffee beans are roasted. The drawback of this method is that it also removes essential oils and aromatics, so the coffee has less fragrance and taste. Arabica beans are better suited for this process than Robusta.