"Decaf is bland." Many people think so. But good decaf starts just like any specialty coffee: with a good bean. That leaves plenty of room for flavor, even without caffeine.
What is decaf?
Decaf is coffee that has had most of its caffeine removed. This is done with the green bean, before roasting. It's not completely caffeine-free: a very small amount of caffeine remains.
How is the caffeine removed?
There are several methods. Two common ones are:
- Using water: the caffeine is removed from the bean using water, without chemicals.
- Using sugarcane: a substance made from sugarcane (ethyl acetate) is used to remove the caffeine.
The bag or product description often tells you which method was used.
Three decafs we recommend
| Coffee | Origin | Flavor |
|---|---|---|
| Mensur Decaf | Ethiopia, washed | Peach, Earl Grey, and creamy milk chocolate |
| Decaf Syoum Family | Ethiopia, natural | Sugarcane, orange, and creamy |
| Goodnight decaf | Colombia | Orange, caramel, and almond cream |
How to choose a decaf that's right for you
- Like bright and fruity flavors? Choose a decaf with tasting notes such as peach or orange.
- Like sweet and smooth flavors? Look for caramel, chocolate, or almond.
- Read the tasting notes on the bag to find out what to expect.
Ready to taste?
- Browse all decaf coffee beans.
- Learn more about flavors: read our flavor wheel.
- Can't decide between light and dark? Read all about roast levels.
