MC/ Methyl Chloride Decaf

Definition

Methylene Chloride (MC), or KVW (Kaffee Veredelugs Werk), also called the "European Method" of decaf, is a decaffeination process that uses a solvent to decaffeinate coffee. Coffee is soaked in near-boiling water, then washed with methylene chloride (the MC particles bond to the caffeinated molecules of the coffee), and finally the MC solvent is removed and the beans are reintroduced back into the liquid to reabsorb the oil/flavor of the beans. This decaffeination process, while using chemicals, has been deemed safe by the US Food and Drug Administration.