Let’s face it - decaf gets a bad rap.
Ask around and you’ll probably hear things like “Why bother?” or “It tastes like sad coffee.” But the truth is, decaf has come a long way. Whether you’re cutting back on caffeine, sipping an evening brew, or just curious, decaf might deserve a second look. So...how does coffee lose its buzz but keep its flavour?
Let’s break it down.
First, where does caffeine live?
Caffeine is a natural compound found inside the green (unroasted) coffee bean. To make decaf, the caffeine needs to be removed before roasting - and that’s where it gets interesting.
There’s no such thing as a 100% caffeine-free coffee bean (decaf usually still has about 2–3% of the original caffeine), but it’s close enough for most people to feel the difference.
The 3 Main Decaffeination Methods
There are a few different ways coffee is decaffeinated. Some use water, others use carbon dioxide or gentle solvents. Each method aims to remove caffeine without stripping away flavour. Here’s a quick rundown:
1. Swiss Water Process (Chemical-Free & Popular with Specialty Roasters)
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Uses only water, temperature, and time.
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Green beans are soaked in hot water, allowing caffeine and flavour compounds to dissolve.
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The water is then passed through a carbon filter that traps the caffeine.
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Beans are re-soaked in this now flavour-rich, caffeine-free water
2. CO₂ Process (High-Tech & Clean)
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Green beans are soaked in water, then exposed to high-pressure carbon dioxide.
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CO₂ targets caffeine molecules and pulls them out of the bean.
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Flavour compounds mostly stay intact.
3. Solvent-Based Processes (Methylene Chloride or Ethyl Acetate)
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Beans are steamed, then rinsed with a solvent that bonds with caffeine.
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Solvent is removed through evaporation, then beans are steamed again.
Don’t worry - final beans are thoroughly cleaned, and any remaining solvent levels are extremely low (well below safety limits).
Decaf isn’t a compromise - it’s a choice. And if you’re sipping a decaf from a roaster who cares about quality, chances are you’ll barely notice the difference.
Don't know where to start? We believe our decaf will satisfy your taste buds (it's also done using the 1st method of decaffeination) so go ahead and try it here.
