Illy Decaffeinated Coffee – taste with essence of metheleyne chloride?

We had friends to dinner Saturday night and, knowing that they drink only decaffeinated espresso, I bought some Illy decaf beans. We only have the high octane stuff normally! But, if I buy decaffeinated, I usually look for the Swiss Water processed symbol. However, having confidence in the integrity of the Illy brand, and seeing the familiar tin on the shelf before me, I chose Illy beans. Back at home, I scoured the tin again for the magic S that symbolizes the safe method of decaffeination. No S. So I wrote to Illy via their website, and here is what they wrote back:

The green beans are soaked in water that expands the bean and opens the pores. The beans are then soaked in Metheleyne Chloride, which bonds with the caffeine molecules. The coffee is then run through steam and water process that evaporates and rinses out the caffeine. The process takes 12 – 18 hours. The coffee is then dried, usually with hot air to prevent mold and fermentation, resulting in 96% to 97% of caffeine being removed from the coffee. The USFDA allows a residual metheleyne chloride on the bean. The metheleyne chloride dissipates at a much lower temperature (approx. 120 degreesF) than the coffee is roasted (approx 428 degreesF).

Other decaffeination methods include ethyl acetate, carbon dioxide and water process. Illy caffe’ does not use the water process because water processed coffees generally produce a less flavorful and flatter bodied cup of coffee. This process uses warm water under pressure to extract caffeine. The water is heated 70-100 degrees C (120 -160 F) and circulated until 94% – 96% of the caffeine is removed. In some cases, the water is put through carbon filtration to remove the caffeine. Since cafffeine is not the only substance in coffee that is soluble, important flavor components are also affected

Yikes! Metheleyne Chloride? It sounded like a dry-cleaning chemical so I looked it up and here is what I learned … According to the USA Environmental Protection website, Occupational Safety & Health Administration www.OSHA.gov

Methylene chloride is predominantly used as a solvent in paint strippers and removers; as a process solvent in the manufacture of drugs, pharmaceuticals, and film coatings; as a metal cleaning and finishing solvent in electronics manufacturing; and as an agent in urethane foam blowing. (1)
Methylene chloride is also used as a propellant in aerosols for products such as paints, automotive products, and insect sprays. (1)

It is used as an extraction solvent for spice oleoresins, hops, and for the removal of caffeine from coffee. However, due to concern over residual solvent, most decaffeinators no longer use methylene chloride.

Methylene chloride is also approved for use as a postharvest fumigant for grains and strawberries and as a degreening agent for citrus fruit. (1)

I won’t be buying or drinking Illy coffee again. For me, this little piece of research has rendered the brand promise of Illy as lacking integrity. Tasty but poisonous is the new promise! I’m returning the coffee to Whole Foods!!

Source: www.OSHA.gov