Decaf coffee is an accessory to the destruction of the ozone layer?

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Decaffeinated coffee (decaf coffee) is a lifesaver for some people, but not for Earth. It's hard to say? Let's get to know what decaf coffee is.

As the name implies, decaffeinated coffee is coffee with low caffeine. The EU standard is that roasted coffee beans contain no more than 0.1% caffeine, while instant coffee is limited to no more than 0.3%. Some people drink decaffeinated coffee because they want to avoid migraines, hyperactivity, sleeplessness, or having children who are not suitable for caffeine. It doesn't seem to be a problem, but how is decaf made?

To reduce caffeine, you usually have to go through a processing process, such as direct / indirect contact, Swiss water washing and carbon dioxide high pressure extraction. Direct / indirect contact methods often involve dichloromethane (dichloromethane) to dissolve caffeine, and this solvent is one of the reasons why the ozone layer is difficult to repair.

According to a recent article in the science journal New Scientist, dichloromethane may delay the repair of the ozone layer by more than 30 years, Extra Crispy reported.

Dichloromethane was not regulated in the past because it was thought to be short-lived and difficult to affect the stratosphere high above. But the new study finds that the chlorine may have a big impact on the environment by 2050, making the hole in the ozone layer difficult to repair.

Coffee information website Sprudge even stressed that although dichloromethane is an industrial solvent and is often used in industries such as medicine and plastics, some manufacturers also use it to reduce caffeine in coffee or tea. It's scary, isn't it?

What if I really want decaf coffee? Coffee beans treated by Swiss washing are a relatively good choice. In this way, the coffee beans are simply soaked in warm water to dissolve caffeine, and then filtered with activated carbon. Although some flavor will be lost, at least no chemical solvent is used, which is much milder for the environment or the human body.