Best Decaf Coffee Beans That Still Taste Great
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The best decaf coffee beans, mostly Swiss Water Process, with how decaf is made and how to brew it well.
The best decaf coffee beans for most people are Kicking Horse Decaf: certified organic, Fairtrade whole beans decaffeinated with the chemical free Swiss Water Process and dark roasted for roasted hazelnut and chocolate notes with a long finish. If you prefer a smoother medium dark roast, Cafe Don Pablo Subtle Earth Organic Decaf is a Swiss Water decaf that is 99.9 percent caffeine free, and San Francisco Bay Decaf Gourmet Blend is the best value medium roast in a 2 pound bag.
Good decaf no longer has to taste flat. Modern decaffeination methods keep much of the bean's flavor, and buying whole beans keeps that flavor fresh until you grind. Below we compare six decaf coffees, then explain how decaf is made, how much caffeine decaf has, which roast to choose, how to brew decaf well, storage tips and answers to common questions. Every pick sells new on Amazon.
Best Decaf Coffee Beans: Our Top Picks
Our top pick is Kicking Horse Decaf, followed by Cafe Don Pablo Subtle Earth Organic Decaf and San Francisco Bay Decaf Gourmet Blend. We compared decaffeination method, roast level, origin, the flavor notes each roaster lists, certifications, bag size and how widely each coffee is bought and kept.
Kicking Horse Decaf Swiss Water Process: Best Overall Decaf Coffee Beans
Kicking Horse Decaf is the best decaf coffee for people who want rich, full flavor without caffeine. It is decaffeinated with the Swiss Water Process, which uses water rather than chemical solvents, and it is certified organic, Fairtrade and Kosher.
Kicking Horse lists tasting notes of roasted hazelnuts and a chocolaty, balanced body with a long lasting finish, and an aroma of deep chocolate with nutty complexity. The dark roast is roasted in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and works well in drip, French press and espresso.
- Swiss Water Process decaf, no chemical solvents
- Certified organic, Fairtrade and Kosher
- Dark roast with hazelnut and chocolate notes
The limitation is the 10 ounce bag, which costs more per ounce than large bags. Skip it if you prefer a medium roast. Expect to pay around $15.
Cafe Don Pablo Subtle Earth Organic Decaf: Best Low Acid Decaf
Cafe Don Pablo Subtle Earth Organic Decaf is the best decaf for a smooth, low acid cup. It is Swiss Water Process decaffeinated and 99.9 percent caffeine free, according to the roaster, and USDA organic certified.
The single origin Honduran Arabica is roasted medium dark, and the roaster describes it as rich and chocolatey with profound depth of flavor, a velvety body and low acidity. The 2 pound bag suits daily decaf drinkers.
- Swiss Water decaf, 99.9 percent caffeine free
- USDA organic single origin Honduras Arabica
- Medium dark roast, low acidity, 2 pound bag
The limitation is a higher price than conventional decaf. Skip it if you only drink decaf occasionally. Expect to pay around $42.
San Francisco Bay Decaf Gourmet Blend: Best Value Decaf Coffee Beans
San Francisco Bay Decaf Gourmet Blend is the best value decaf in a large bag. It is 100 percent Arabica from Central and South America, roasted medium for a lively, well rounded and smooth coffee, according to the roaster.
San Francisco Bay decaffeinates all of its decaf coffees with the Swiss Water Process, and the beans are certified Kosher.
- Swiss Water Process, 100 percent Arabica
- Medium roast, lively and smooth
- 2 pound bag
The limitation is that a 2 pound bag may go stale before an occasional decaf drinker finishes it. Skip it if you brew decaf only a few times a week. Expect to pay around $31.
Mayorga Organic Decaf Cubano Roast: Best Dark Roast Decaf
Mayorga Decaf Cubano is the best dark roast decaf for people who love a bold Cuban style cup. It is organic Swiss Water decaffeinated, 100 percent Arabica specialty grade coffee from Peru, Honduras and Nicaragua, slow roasted in small batches.
- Organic Swiss Water decaf
- Cuban style dark roast, specialty grade Arabica
- 2 pound bag
The limitation is the strong, dark profile. Skip it if you prefer a mild decaf. Expect to pay around $36.
Amazon Fresh Decaf Colombia Whole Bean: Best Budget Decaf
Amazon Fresh Decaf Colombia is the best budget decaf coffee bean. It is a balanced, full bodied medium roast with a smooth finish, made from 100 percent Colombian Arabica and roasted and packed in the USA.
- Decaf 100 percent Colombian Arabica
- Balanced medium roast
- Low price per bag
The limitation is that the listing does not name the decaffeination method. Skip it if you want Swiss Water decaf specifically. Expect to pay around $8.
illy Decaf Ground Espresso Classico: Best Decaf for Espresso
illy Decaf Classico is the best decaf for espresso if you do not grind at home. It is pre-ground for espresso from fine Arabica, and illy describes a mild, balanced taste with notes of caramel, toasted bread and chocolate.
- Pre-ground for espresso
- 100 percent Arabica, medium roast
- Notes of caramel, toasted bread and chocolate
The limitation is that it is ground, not whole bean, so it loses freshness faster once opened. Skip it if you have an espresso grinder. Expect to pay around $16.
How Is Decaf Coffee Made?
Decaf coffee is made by removing caffeine from green, unroasted beans before roasting, using water, carbon dioxide or a solvent. The beans are then roasted like regular coffee.
Swiss Water Process
The Swiss Water Process soaks beans in water and uses carbon filters to remove caffeine, with no chemical solvents. Most of our picks use it.
CO2 Process
Pressurized carbon dioxide removes caffeine while leaving most flavor compounds. It is common for large commercial decaf.
Solvent Methods
Methylene chloride or ethyl acetate bind to caffeine and are then removed. Ethyl acetate is sometimes called "sugarcane" or "natural" decaf. Residue levels are regulated, but some buyers prefer chemical free methods.
How Much Caffeine Is in Decaf Coffee?
Decaf coffee usually has about 2 to 15 milligrams of caffeine per 8 ounce cup, compared with about 80 to 100 milligrams in regular coffee. In the US, decaf must have at least 97 percent of its caffeine removed. Swiss Water decafs like Cafe Don Pablo state 99.9 percent caffeine free.
If you are very sensitive to caffeine, look for Swiss Water decaf and limit yourself to a cup or two, since small amounts add up.
What Roast Is Best for Decaf?
Medium to dark roasts are best for most decaf because they bring out chocolate, caramel and nutty flavors and mask the slightly muted character decaf beans can have. Decaf beans start darker in color and roast faster, so roasters often take them a little darker.
Light roast decaf exists, but it is harder to find and can taste thin. If you are switching from regular coffee, choose a decaf at the same roast level you already enjoy.
How to Brew Better Decaf
Brew decaf exactly like regular coffee: fresh beans, a fresh grind and the right ratio. Decaf beans are slightly more porous and can extract faster, so if your decaf tastes bitter, grind a little coarser; if it tastes weak, use a bit more coffee.
A ratio of about 1 to 16 suits drip and pour over, and 1 to 15 suits French press. Grinding just before brewing matters even more for decaf, since its aroma fades quickly. See our guide to the best coffee grinder, or browse brewers with grinders in our list of the best coffee maker with grinder models.
Can You Make Decaf Espresso?
Yes. Decaf espresso works best with a medium dark to dark decaf, ground fresh and fine. Decaf can flow faster than regular beans, so you may need to grind finer. Pre-ground decaf for espresso, like illy Decaf Classico, works well in pressurized baskets. Our guide to the best coffee beans for espresso covers dialing in shots.
How to Store Decaf Coffee Beans
Store decaf beans in an opaque, airtight container at room temperature, away from light, heat and moisture, and use them within about 2 to 4 weeks of opening. Decaf can stale slightly faster than regular coffee. Split large bags and keep the rest sealed. Our guide to the best coffee canister compares airtight options. Browse more coffees in our coffee beans section.
What to Look for on a Decaf Coffee Bag
Look for the decaffeination method, a roast date, the origin and the roast level. A bag that names the Swiss Water Process or CO2 process tells you how the caffeine was removed; bags that say nothing usually use a solvent method.
A roast date matters as much for decaf as for regular coffee, since decaf aroma fades quickly. Origin hints at flavor: Central and South American decafs taste nutty and chocolatey, while Ethiopian decafs can keep some fruitiness. Certifications such as USDA organic and Fairtrade describe how the coffee was grown and traded. Finally, choose whole beans whenever you can grind at home, and buy a bag size you can finish within a few weeks.
Can You Make Cold Brew With Decaf?
Yes, decaf makes excellent cold brew, and it is a good way to enjoy iced coffee in the evening. Use a medium dark or dark decaf, grind it extra coarse and steep it for 16 to 24 hours in the refrigerator at about 1 part coffee to 5 parts water for concentrate. Dark Swiss Water decafs like Kicking Horse or Mayorga produce a smooth, chocolatey cold brew. Our guide to the best coffee beans for cold brew explains ratios in more detail.
Half Caf: A Middle Ground
Half caf is a blend of regular and decaf coffee that cuts caffeine roughly in half. You can make your own by mixing equal parts of your favorite regular beans and a decaf at a similar roast. It is a simple way to reduce caffeine gradually without giving up flavor.
How We Chose
We chose these decaf coffees by comparing decaffeination method, roast level, origin, the flavor notes each roaster lists, certifications, bag size and how widely each coffee is bought and kept. This guide is based on research of product listings and owner feedback rather than in-person trials, and every coffee sells new on Amazon.
FAQs About Decaf Coffee Beans
What is the best tasting decaf coffee?
Swiss Water decaf in a medium dark to dark roast usually tastes richest. Kicking Horse Decaf and Cafe Don Pablo Subtle Earth Decaf are both chocolatey and full bodied. Buy whole beans and grind fresh.
Is Swiss Water decaf better?
Swiss Water decaf uses no chemical solvents, which many buyers prefer. It also keeps good flavor. Taste depends more on the beans and roast than the method.
Does decaf coffee have any caffeine?
Yes, a small amount, usually 2 to 15 milligrams per 8 ounce cup. Swiss Water decaf is typically 99.9 percent caffeine free.
Is decaf coffee bad for you?
Decaf is generally considered safe for most adults. If you have health concerns, ask your doctor. Chemical free methods like Swiss Water appeal to people who want to avoid solvents.
Can I use decaf beans in any coffee maker?
Yes. Decaf beans brew in drip machines, French presses, pour over and espresso machines just like regular coffee. Adjust the grind slightly if needed.
Why does some decaf taste flat?
Stale beans, older decaf methods and pre-ground coffee are the usual causes. Fresh, whole bean Swiss Water decaf ground right before brewing tastes much better.
Final Verdict
The best decaf coffee beans for most people are Kicking Horse Decaf, an organic Swiss Water decaf with a rich, chocolatey dark roast. Choose Cafe Don Pablo Subtle Earth Decaf for low acid organic decaf, San Francisco Bay Decaf for value, Mayorga Decaf for bold Cuban style coffee, Amazon Fresh Decaf Colombia for a low price and illy Decaf Classico for pre-ground espresso.
