Coffee Essential Oil, Coffee Absolute and Coffee CO2 Extract
Coffea arabica
Description
The aromatic oil that is contained within the coffee bean is responsible for its distinctive flavor. Coffee Oil can be produced from green (unroasted) or roasted beans. Oils and extracts produced from roasted coffee beans lead to a truer aromatic "coffee experience." that is closer in aroma to freshly brewed coffee
There are a number of aromatic coffee oils and extracts on the market including those marketed as coffee essential oil. coffee carrier oil, coffee infused oil, coffee absolute and coffee CO2 extract. Not all suppliers are clear or accurate as to the method of production or the type of oil they are selling, so it can be up to the buyer to ask questions.
To date, the coffee oils that I have seen marketed as either essential or carrier oils are produced through cold pressing. To my understanding, cold pressed Coffee Oil is abundant in both volatile compounds and fatty acids, even if it is marketed as an essential oil.
Sometimes, coffee oil is produced by infusing coffee beans into a vegetable oil to produce what is known as an infused oil. Because Coffee oil can be quite aromatic, some suppliers classify or list it among their essential oils. Since there is confusion, I'd recommend paying close attention to the method of extraction and request details of the composition of the oil that they are selling.
Limited documentation is available regarding the constituents contained within the oil, and its use within holistic aromatherapy is uncertain. It naturally may be assumed that it would be a nice morning pick-me-up oil in the diffuser despite its trace or limited amount of caffeine. It may be an oil worth exploring for those attempting to give up caffeine or coffee. Though I'm concerned it actually could be a temptation to those trying to quit drinking coffee, it could potentially help curb the craving for some.
Also available on the market is an incredibly aromatic Coffee CO2 Extract as well as a Coffee Absolute that is produced by solvent extraction.
Coffee CO2 Extract Total contains less than 0.5% caffeine according to Mark Webb within his course materials for his CO2 Extract Course.
Coffee Oil and Coffee CO2 Extract is gaining more widespread use in personal care product formulation.
Coffea arabica, the most flavorful of coffee species, is now endangered. See the Sustainability and Conservation Status section below for more information.
Coffee Absolute and Coffee CO2 Extract Benefits and Uses
- Perfumery and Fragrancing
- Diffusion
Botanical Name
Plant Family
Common Method of Extraction
Cold Pressed, CO2 Extraction or Solvent Extraction
What is an Absolute?
What is a CO2?
Plant Part Typically Used
Color
Dark Brown
Consistency
Medium to Thick
Perfumery Note
Base
Strength of Initial Aroma
Strong
Aromatic Description
Coffee Absolute and Coffee CO2 Extract possess an enticing, rich, strong coffee smell.
Sustainability and Conservation Status
Coffea arabica (Arabica Coffee): Endangered
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/18289789/174149937
Coffea canephora (Robusta Coffee): Stable/Least Concern
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/18290186/18539466
To learn more about the conservation status of essential oil bearing plants and how to use the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, please refer to AromaWeb's Guide to Essential Oils and Sustainability.
Coffee CO2 Extract Constituents:
- 2-furanmethanol
- Methylpyrazine
- 2,6 Dimethylpyrazine
- 5-Methylfurfural
- Furfuryl Acetate
- Caffeine (< 0.5%)
Source: Mark Webb and AromaMedix Pty Ltd., Course Materials: CO2 Extracts v1.3. October, 2017, Dallas, TX. Slide 43.]
For more information about Coffee Absolute,
CO2 and cold pressed coffee oils, read AromaTalk's lighthearted post:
Part of My Morning Aromatherapy Ritual: Coffee!
Coffee CO2 Supercritical Total Extract
In addition to being available as an essential oil, this botanical is available from a small number of reputable sources as a CO2 extract. CO2 extracts offer many advantages. However, they can have differing safety precautions than essential oils because the natural chemistry of CO2 extracts can differ from their essential oil counterparts. Not much safety information is documented from trusted sources for CO2 extracts. Use CO2 extracts with great care and do not assume that every CO2 extract has the same safety precautions as its essential oil counterpart.
General Safety Information
Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. For general dilution information, read AromaWeb's Guide to Diluting Essential Oils. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. Before using this or any essential oil, carefully read AromaWeb's Essential Oil Safety Information page. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.
Shelf Life
Important Information About the Profiles
The essential oil information provided on AromaWeb is intended for basic educational purposes only. The references to safety information, test results, constituents and percentages is generalized information. Essential oils can vary greatly in composition. The data is not necessary complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate. The essential oil photos are intended to represent the typical and approximate color of each essential oil. However, essential oil composition and color can vary based on harvesting, distillation, age of the essential oil and other factors. Profiles for several CO2 Extracts and absolutes are included within the directory, and are denoted as such.
