Decaffeinating coffee is one of the most popular methods for reducing the caffeine content of coffee. Unfortunately, not all decaffeinated coffees are created equal, some are good and some are bad. If you want to reap all the benefits of decaffeinated coffee without any of the downsides, keep reading!

good decaf coffee

The Process of Decaffeination

To understand how to select good decaf over bad decaf coffee beans it’s important to know a bit about the process of decaffeination. A decaffeination process is a special form of processing that removes caffeine from coffee beans.

The process can take one hour or up to three days, depending on the desired caffeine content. Coffee beans are soaked in water to dissolve the caffeine and then filtered by either using activated charcoal (the most common) or diatomaceous earth (less common).

Decaffeinated coffee is essentially regular coffee with most of its caffeine removed, only 3% remains. As such, it usually has an equivalent flavor profile to regular coffee, but with less of the characteristic flavor of roasted coffee beans.

However, it doesn’t have to be this way! There are some methods where coffee beans are soaked in hot water for 12-24 hours before being filtered out and dried to remove any remaining moisture. This way, all of the caffeine can be extracted without compromising on taste, resulting in a decaffeinated coffee with lower amounts of caffeine content.

Methods of Decaffeination

There are a few methods of decaffeination:

Traditional Decaffeination Process

This process involves soaking coffee grounds for 12-24 hours in pressurized water at boiling temperature to remove all residual caffeine, then drying them to get rid of any remaining moisture. The boiling temperature use, unfortunately, compromises the flavor and aroma of the coffee beans so it’s not the best method to preserve those unique characteristics.

Swiss Water Process

The Swiss Water Process is a process that was created in the 1980s. This process is also known as the water extraction or milling process. It helps to remove most of the caffeine from coffee beans but leaves some of the flavors behind.

This method of coffee processing has become more popular in recent years because it has the ability to preserve most of the flavor and aroma of the coffee bean. However, it’s very expensive and so not many coffee producers use it.

Direct-Solvent Process

The direct-solvent process is a new method for decaffeination. This process involves soaking coffee beans in a solution of methylene chloride. Methylene chloride is a type of chemical solvent that dissolves the caffeine from the beans. The process is much less time-consuming than other methods, but it does have some drawbacks.

It is not as cost-effective as the conventional wet process. One kilogram of dry coffee beans can yield about 2 kilograms of decaffeinated coffee beans using this method, but through the wet process it can yield up to 3 kilograms. The dry method also creates a risk for contamination due to an open system, which means that there are no barriers between chemicals and food products.

Carbon Dioxide Process

The process of decaffeination with Carbon Dioxide Process was first developed in 1903 by Ludwig Roselius, a German coffee merchant. Decaffeination is a process that boils the beans and uses CO2 to extract caffeine from their coffee beans. It is often used to remove caffeine from drinks and foods, such as tea and chocolates. The only drawback this method has is the way it affects the flavor of the coffee since it makes it taste watery or bitter.

Liquid Dicarboxylic Acid

Liquid Dicarboxylic Acid is a method that uses a certain relatively low atmospheric pressure and temperature to remove caffeine from raw coffee beans. This is possibly the most favorable process for making decaf coffee alongside the Swiss Water Process because they both manage to maintain the original flavor and aroma of the final product.

However, the Liquid Dicarboxylic Acid is much more cost-effective and has a smaller carbon footprint than the Swiss Water Process so it's definitely a better option, which is why it’s the one we use here in Japanese Coffee Co.

decaf coffee bean

So how can you avoid bad decaf coffee?

When you are drinking decaf coffee, it is important to keep in mind that the decaffeination process can affect the flavor. Different methods of removing caffeine can also make a difference in terms of taste.

The decaffeination process will remove around 97% of the caffeine from the beans and some methods are used only to remove the caffeine without taking into account not to affect the flavor and aroma. Fortunately, there are some ways to ensure you get the best cup of decaf coffee:

Buy speciality grade decaf coffee beans
Ask your barista or roaster which method was used for decaffeination
Avoid buying pre-ground decaf coffee as it won’t be as fresh
If you are buying online, check if the seller is giving information about the decaffeination process

FAQ About decaf coffee

What is the caffeine content in decaf coffee?

An average cup of decaf coffee has around 2-6mg of caffeine. This is a much lower amount than regular coffee, which contains around 80-180mg of caffeine per cup.

Can I drink as much decaf coffee as I want?

No, you should still moderate your intake of decaf coffee. While it is lower in caffeine than regular coffee, it still contains some caffeine. Too much caffeine can be harmful to your health.

Who can drink decaf coffee?

People of all ages can enjoy the benefits of decaf coffee. Anyone who is sensitive to caffeine should consider switching to decaf coffee as it does not contain any caffeine.

Decaf coffee is also a good choice for pregnant women and people with acid reflux or GERD. It may even have health benefits that regular coffee doesn't have, such as reducing cholesterol levels and boosting brain function!

Is Decaf Coffee Less Flavorful than Regular Coffee?

No, decaf coffee is just as flavorful as regular coffee. The only difference is that decaf coffee beans undergo a different process for the caffeine to be removed, which causes the beans to have a milder flavor than regular coffee. Some people even prefer this milder taste!

What is the Best Time of Day to Drink Decaf Coffee?

You can drink decaf coffee anytime, day or night! However, I would recommend sticking to earlier in the day since studies have shown that caffeine consumption later in the day could lead to sleeping problems.

Is Deaf Coffee Less Caffeinated than Regular Coffee?

Yes, decaf coffee has less caffeine content than regular coffee. Decaf coffee is made by using special processes to extract the caffeine from the beans. Comparing them side by side, decaf coffee holds about 97% less caffeine than regular coffee, so if you are looking for a low-caffeine coffee option, decaf is the way to go!

What is the Best Way to Brew Decaf Coffee?

That's totally up to you! There are a number of ways to prepare decaf coffee, including using a French press, an automatic drip machine, a pour-over cone, or even just brewing it as espresso or iced coffee. No matter how you make it, decaf coffee can always taste delicious, so go ahead and experiment!

Is there no coffee plant that naturally has no caffeine?

All these procedures are well and good, but wouldn't a coffee plant that inherently contains no caffeine be the easiest solution? Around 10% of the coffee traded worldwide is decaffeinated.

And yes, decaffeinated coffee does appear to grow naturally too, but it is rarely found. Brazilian researchers discovered a naturally caffeine-free coffee plant in Ethiopia as early as 17 years ago. So far it has not been profitable enough for trading.

So an attempt is being made through genetic engineering to cross this coffee plant with other commercially used “Arabica” varieties so that it can be grown on plantations.

Who is decaffeinated coffee for?

Decaffeinated coffee is particularly suitable for those who suffer from caffeine intolerance. This is not as rare as you might think. Many people do not even know that they suffer from an allergy or intolerance: tremors, sweating, racing heart or an irritated stomach can be signs of an intolerance to caffeine.

Incidentally, one reacts similarly if too much caffeine has been consumed. Doctors say that 400mg of caffeine per day is the maximum for an adult, but ultimately it depends on things like body weight and your own sensitivity whether you can tolerate caffeine well - or rather decaffeinated coffee. You also need to know that caffeine is also found in other foods such as tea, cola and cocoa.

Decaffeinated coffee is also suitable for people with a tendency to high blood pressure. So everyone who likes to drink coffee a lot and often likes the taste, but has to pay attention to this vital value. If you belong to this group, then read through our article on the effects of coffee on the heart and blood pressure - it tells you what to watch out for.

How does Liquid Dicarboxylic Acid work?

The process starts with steaming your coffee beans. This opens up pores on the surface of the beans and makes it easier for Liquid Dicarboxylic Acid to penetrate through without damaging or altering the flavor of your coffee.

Does decaf coffee have health benefits?

There are many health benefits of drinking decaffeinated coffee instead of regular one. It contains about 5-10% less caffeine than its counterpart which means that you can drink it in larger quantities and still get the same effect as if you were drinking caffeinated coffee.

Studies have also shown that drinking decaffeinated coffee is linked to a decreased risk of breast cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other illnesses.

How to Choose Tasty Decaffeinated Coffee?

You should always check the type of process used for removing caffeine, which can vary from an instant process, through to a chemical process that may not be as healthy.

In addition, always look for specialty-grade decaf coffee beans. These beans are usually more expensive, but they are worth it. Finally, avoid buying pre-ground decaf coffee, as whole bean coffee is always fresher.

Final Thoughts

My conclusion is that going with what you know is the best decision. For example, if you're not sure which type of coffee to pick, just go with what your favorite coffee is. The above tips will surely help you buy great quality decaf coffee and the rest is up to you!

Go ahead and try a few options, experiment, and surely you will find something that suits your taste. The important thing is that if you choose good decaf coffee you don’t have to compromise flavor and aroma!

This post was first published in 2022 but it was updated in 2023 just for you.

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How to Select Good Decaf Coffee from Bad Decaf Coffee? - Coffee Quiz

The Process of Decaffeination