Decaffeination process

Decaffeination is an additional step before roasting and grinding. In general there are several different processes of decaffeination. Some of them use chemical solvents and others use natural ingredients: water or carbon dioxide, a natural constituent of air. We at Nespresso use only those with natural ingredients:
 
- In the water decaffeination process, the raw coffee beans are soaked in water or they are gently steamed to make the bean texture porous. After that by circulating the water or steam through the porous beans, the water removes the caffeine and some other water-soluble solids. The water is then removed from the beans and filtered via active carbon where caffeine is separated from the other valuable coffee solids, which are then returned to the beans. The coffee is then dried after which the decaffeinated beans are ready for roasting.
 
- In the carbon dioxide method, the raw coffee beans are moistened with water or steam and put into a vessel where it is pressurized with liquid carbon dioxide. Circulating through the coffee, the carbon dioxide draws the caffeine and some other water-soluble solids out of the bean. The caffeine is then removed from the beans and filtered via active carbon where caffeine is separated from the other valuable coffee solids which are then returned to the beans. The coffee is then dried after which the decaffeinated coffee is ready for roasting.
 
Both decaffeination methods used by Nespresso are completely safe for coffee drinkers. The processes respect the environment and the coffee bean’s true nature, allowing us to maintain the strength, variety and richness of its aromas.