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Login Here Signup Here Signup using FacebookHey everyone - I used to drink coffee in moderation a few years back and after switching to raw foods I have had a craving for its taste once again. I have read about substitutes such as Yerba Mate but am still curious if there is another solution. I know a few coffee shops have started selling Swiss-water pressed coffees. Reportedly, this process extracts all the caffeine from the bean and still leaves the rich aroma and taste. I tried it before the raw food diet and must say it was much better on my system and still tasted like caffeinated coffee. What do you guys think? Is there still benefits to drinking coffee (the taste, some of the nutrients) with the caffeine exorcised?
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Well.... I see this post is a bit old but hopefully I can still help you. I am a coffee expert. Literally. All organic grown coffee goes through this Swill Water process and it substitutes the old chemical/gas extraction method. It is all going to come down to whether or not your o.k with drinking coffee. Period. Coffee is not raw and decaf is even further from being raw due to removal of it's natural contents. I am a raw foody BUT I drink coffee because it is my job and HAS been my job for the past 7 or so years. I was a coffee roaster and it was MY JOB to professionally taste cofee so it is not something I am ever willing to give it. It is my personal choice and I will NEVER let another raw foody make me feel less of a person for consuming it. I drink it black and dont put crap in it so I feel I am alright. I also enjoy the actual culture around coffee so I am not giving it up! I am in the process of opening up my own coffee house right now so I REALLY couldnt stop drinking it!
I say......let yourself enjoy a cup. Dont drink a pot a day and you'll be fine!
Cheers!
Coffee (even decaf) is really acidic, which some folks may have trouble with. I don't think I could handle it. But if you feel OK drinking it, then I don't see why you shouldn't.
Hey eskimowayne, I think the choice is (obviously) yours. When I first went from vegan to raw vegan about 3 yrs ago I also missed the taste of coffee. Esp. blended iced coffee drinks in the summer. The local coop here carries a brand of coffee called Mount Hagen. Its organic, freeze dried and the decaff is apparently made through a non-chemical extraction process. I used to mix a tbsp of it with a little bit of hot water and then cool it and throw it in the vitamix with a thai cocounut (flesh and water), raw cocoa, a bit of agave and ice. It was absolutely, ridiculously delicious! And I didn't feel like I was totally ruining my raw diet, just adding a bit of non-raw flavoring. I've since pretty much cut out coffee. Personally, I just don't really like the way it feels and I don't want it anymore.
If you enjoy it, as Shuanna says- just don't drink a pot a day. I personally quit drinking it for several months (at the advice of a holistiac practioner I went to). I have to say, not living on the stuff makes me feel better. But, having some makes me feel okay too. When I have coffee, I get the good stuff (from a local coffee house that roasts it) and I don't do the decaf either.
Oh I'd love your job ilivetodream- I worship coffee lol. I could never ever give it up- I only drink black decaff- about 2 cups a day. I would switch to herbal teas but I hate any kind of tea- it makes me heave. I don't like that barleycup or dandelion stuff either.
The best idea is to avoid caffeine and other stimulants all together. They are very detrimental to adrenal gland health and can cause many problems long term or if abused.
The best idea is to avoid caffeine and other stimulants all together. They are very detrimental to adrenal gland health and can cause many problems long term or if abused.