Coffee, one of the most highly consumed beverages in the world, is widely loved for its unique flavor and refreshing effects. However, for people who need to limit their caffeine intake, traditional caffeinated coffee may cause a series of health problems.
To solve this problem, scientists have utilized the adsorption power of activated charcoal to remove caffeine from coffee.
In this article, we will take you to understand the application principle and advantages of activated carbon for coffee decaffeination.
What is caffeine?
Caffeine is a well-known natural alkaloid widely found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa beans and the seeds of certain plants. It is a central nervous system stimulant that temporarily increases a person’s alertness and concentration for a short period of time and reduces fatigue. It may also produce extreme side effects, including irritability, headaches, and increased heart rate.
Decaffeination methods
The main methods of decaffeination include solvent extraction, supercritical carbon dioxide and activated carbon adsorption.
Solvent extraction method: Chemical solvents are used to dissolve and extract caffeine. Although highly efficient, the use of chemical solvents may adversely affect the flavor of the coffee and pose potential health risks.
Supercritical carbon dioxide method: Safer and environmentally friendly. However, the high cost of equipment and complicated operation limit its popularization and application.
Activated carbon adsorption: can maintain the original flavor and aroma of coffee, reduce environmental impact and lower costs.
Activated carbon in decaffeination
Activated carbon plays a key role in the decaffeination process, utilizing the micropores on its surface to adsorb caffeine molecules directly from the coffee beans. This adsorption is reversible, meaning that the activated carbon can regain its adsorption capacity through appropriate regeneration methods. Not only does activated carbon have a high adsorption capacity, it also has excellent stability, enabling it to efficiently remove caffeine without altering other flavor components of the coffee.
Selection of Activated Carbon
The high porosity and surface area of the coal particles allow them to effectively adsorb caffeine from the coffee beans while maintaining the original flavor and nutrients of the coffee beans. In addition, the stability of the coal particles reduces potential damage to the coffee beans during the decaffeination process.
| Description | coal base granular activated carbon |
| Mesh Size | 12*40 mesh |
| Iodine (mg/g) Minimum | 800-950 |
| Hardness (%) Minimum | 95 |
Advantages of activated carbon decaffeination offered by qizhong:
- High chemical stability
- High operability
- High adsorption capacity
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By using high quality activated carbon, decaffeination is not only efficient and environmentally friendly, but also ensures the quality and safety of coffee products.
If you are looking for a reliable supplier of activated carbon, why not contact us? We offer a wide range of high quality activated carbon products to meet your various needs.
