Do you like the taste of coffee but can’t stand the bitter aftertaste? If so, you are not alone. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to remove cafestol from your coffee and improve its flavor.
Let’s check out how to remove cafestol from coffee:
What is cafestol?
Cafestol is a diterpene compound found in coffee oils. It is responsible for the bitter taste of coffee and can also cause gastrointestinal problems in some people.
Cafestol is most often found in unfiltered coffee, such as French-press or brewed.
Which coffee has the highest amount of cafestol and why?
There are many different types of coffee, and each one has a different amount of cafestol. Cafestol is a natural compound found in coffee that can increase cholesterol levels. The amount of cafestol in coffee depends on how the coffee is prepared and the type of coffee bean used.
Some studies have shown that cafestol in coffee can increase cholesterol levels by up to 10%. However, not all types of coffee have the same amount of cafestol.
For example, filtered coffee has less cafestol than French press coffee.
The type of coffee bean also affects the amount of cafestol in the coffee. Robusta coffee beans have more cafestol than Arabica coffee beans.
Related: Is sugar in coffee bad?
Why is it important to remove it?
High cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, you may want to avoid coffee that is high in cafestol.
Alternatively, you can prepare your coffee using a paper filter, which will remove some of the cafestol.
How to remove cafestol from coffee?
There are a few things you can do to reduce the amount of cafestol in your coffee and make it more flavorful.
1. Use a paper filter
One of the easiest ways to reduce cafestol in coffee is to use a paper filter. Paper filters are designed to remove cafestol (and other compounds) from coffee as it cooks.
This means that using a paper filter will result in a cup of coffee with less cafestol than using another brew method.
2. Use coffee capsules
Another way to reduce cafestol in coffee is to use coffee capsules. Coffee pods are individual servings of coffee that come pre-packaged with a filter. This means that the cafestol has already been filtered out of the coffee before you even start making it.
3. Use a Keurig machine
If you have a Keurig machine, you can also use that to reduce the amount of cafestol in your cup of coffee.
Keurig machines use disposable pods (similar to the ones just mentioned) to brew individual cups of coffee. This means that coffees made with a Keurig will have less cafestol than those made with other methods.
4. Using a French press
The French press can also be used to reduce the amount of cafestol in the coffee. A French press is a coffee brewing device that uses a plunger to separate the grounds from the finished brew.
By using a French press, you can remove up to 95% of the cafestol from your coffee.
5. Buy pre-ground coffee
Pre-ground coffee has already been filtered and therefore has less cafestol than other types of coffee.
However, it’s important to note that pre-ground coffee doesn’t stay fresh as long as other types of coffee, so only buy what you’ll use in a few days.
Does instant coffee have cafestol?
The amount of cafestol present in instant coffee can vary depending on the brand and method of preparation.
However, it is generally accepted that instant coffee contains less cafestol than brewed coffee.
This is because the instant coffee-making process results in a lower concentration of cafestol in the final product.
Therefore, if you are concerned about your cafestol intake, instant coffee may be a better option than brewed coffee.
Final Thoughts: How to remove cafestol from coffee
Now that you know all about Cafestol, you can make an informed decision about how to reduce its presence in your cup of coffee. If you are interested in lowering your cholesterol levels, we recommend using a paper filter or brewing with a Keurig machine.
If you don’t mind caffeinating with a little extra cafestol, then feel free to make it however you prefer.
Sources:
2. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.atv.20.6.1551