how supercritical fluids give you decaf coffee

3-Second Blueprint (English)

1. Pressurizing and heating CO2 past its critical point creates a supercritical fluid with gas-like diffusivity and liquid-like density.
2. Supercritical CO2 penetrates water-softened green coffee bean cell walls to selectively dissolve caffeine while sparing other compounds.
3. Decaffeination must occur before roasting because heat generates aromatic flavor molecules with solubility properties close to caffeine.