green coffee

Green coffee refers to the unroasted seeds of the coffee plant, which is a tropical evergreen shrub. These seeds, commonly called beans, are the source of the popular beverage enjoyed worldwide. Two primary species, Arabica and Robusta, are cultivated for coffee production, with Arabica generally offering a more flavorful brew.12

The process of decaffeination occurs while the beans are still green. Methods include using chemical solvents like ethyl acetate or methylene chloride, or water-based processes such as the Swiss Water Process, which uses carbon filtration. Another method employs supercritical carbon dioxide. These processes aim to remove caffeine while preserving the bean's flavor compounds. Green coffee beans contain chlorogenic acid, a crystalline acid found in various plant parts.34