Normal coffee vs decaf
I have a De Longhi Espresso machine that takes ground coffee. When I use normal coffee (for example with Illy Classico), the coffee is foamy and generally very good.
When I do exactly the same thing with decaffeinated coffee (for example Illy Dek), the coffee comes out watery and actually quite bad, with the filter getting almost blocked and steam coming out of the side. With decaf, the coffee seems to block the water, making the flow very slow. I tried to vary the quantity and compactness of coffee in the handle to no avail. I also tried to descale the machine, but the decaf remains watery and undrinkable.
Is there anything I'm missing? Why is decaf behaving so differently?
Best Answer
The decaf process alters the grind and other properties in the coffee.
You should first try a more coarse grind.
And don't use a bladed cutting grinder, to much clogging dust, use the grinders with two spaced ceramic disks for better results. Fine tune your grind size.
Pictures about "Normal coffee vs decaf"
Quick Answer about "Normal coffee vs decaf"
Decaffeination removes about 97% or more of the caffeine in coffee beans. A typical cup of decaf coffee has about 2 mg of caffeine, compared to a typical cup of regular coffee, which has about 95 mg of caffeine.Is decaf coffee healthier than regular coffee?
For some people, the caffeine can cause problems. For these individuals, decaf is an excellent way to enjoy coffee without the side effects of too much caffeine. Decaf has most of the same health benefits as regular coffee, but none of the side effects.Why is decaffeinated coffee better for you?
The antioxidants present in decaf coffee help to neutralise free radicals. This reduces oxidative damage and can prevent diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, as well as heart disease and cancer. Decaf coffee also contains magnesium, which acts as a shield against diabetes.Ask Dr. Nandi: Is decaf coffee harmful to health?
More answers regarding normal coffee vs decaf
Answer 2
Decaf coffee has very little or no oils after roast - in order to get a semblance of cream during extraction the grind must be finer than you would have in caffeinated coffee. Also check if the coffee is old, as the age is also a determining factor.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Mikhail Nilov, Monstera, Laura James, Uriel Mont