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03/16/2005: "How are coffee beans decaffeinated?"

The green (unroasted) coffee beans are placed into a rotating drum and softened by steam and water. They are then repeatedly rinsed with a decaffeinating agent, which removes the caffeine from the beans. Typically 97% or more of the caffeine contained in the green coffee is removed. The caffeine-laden solution is drained away and the beans are steamed a second time to evaporate the remaining decaffeinating agent. Finally, the beans are dried to remove excess moisture from the decaffeinated coffee.