The 12 Best Decaf Coffee of 2021

Most people have drunk coffee at least once in their lives. However, many people avoid drinking too much coffee because it has caffeine in it.

You may want to avoid caffeine because of a medical reason, and you have been prohibited from consuming caffeine. Or, you simply don’t want to get addicted to coffee that contains caffeine.

The chemical process to remove caffeine from coffee is quite complex and has taken over 100 years to perfect. In fact, as much as 97% of caffeine levels are removed in order to produce decaf coffee. 

But one of the best things about decaf coffee is that despite having so much of its caffeine removed, it still tastes quite as good as a regular coffee.

So, if you’re looking for the best decaf coffee for the money, we have you covered!

Below, we have hand-picked a few popular decaf coffee beans and give you our impressions. Let’s see which one you need to buy and which one to avoid.

12 Best Decaf Coffee Beans – Review

• Origin: Central and South America
• Roast: Dark

What makes the Kicking Horse a superior decaf coffee, when compared to others, is that it is the classical Swiss water process to decaffeinate its organic coffee beans.

The coffee beans from this company come from Central and South America, and they are dark roasted so as to further remove any remaining caffeine. Additionally, many of its users say that this decaf coffee tastes delicious and has small fruity undertones.

If you like your decaf coffee to be aromatic and you drink multiple cups every day, then this coffee by Kicking Horse is one of the best organic decaf coffee brands for the money.

Notes

The manufacturer recommends that you French Press this coffee as far as possible so as to limit its exposure to air. Excessive exposure to air can render this organic decaf coffee bitter in taste

2. Eight O'Clock Decaf Coffee, Medium Roast, Whole Bean – Kosher Approved and Low Acidity Levels

• Origin: USA
• Roast: Medium

Eight O'Clock is a popular decaf coffee that can be drunk by anybody in any community as it is kosher approved. Additionally, since this is a medium roast decaf coffee, it has a lot of its aromas preserved.

This decaf coffee is packed and roasted in the USA to ensure a quality decaf coffee beverage.

Moreover, it uses 100% Arabica which means that this coffee is very smooth in taste. If you hate a stale or bitter taste in your coffee, then you will have absolutely no problem with the Eight O'Clock coffee.

Another noteworthy point of this decaf coffee is that it is quite dry with no oil on the beans. If you normally prepare your coffee and require only dry coffee beans, then this product is one of the best whole bean decaf coffee for your need.

Notes

We recommend you use this decaf coffee only if you like to make simple coffee brews like Americano. This is a very dry whole bean coffee that lacks the oil for more complex tastes or elaborate coffee brews

• Origin: Colombia
• Roast: Medium

Cafe Don Pablo is a popular brand that is known for their quality coffee. What immediately makes this Don Pablo decaf coffee an instant favorite is the fact that it uses only fresh Arabica coffee beans to deliver an ultra-smooth taste.

If you don’t like Robusta coffee, chances are you will fall in love with the ultra-smooth taste of this Don Pablo decaf coffee. Also, the whole beans have been cultivated in the plains of Colombia that are owned by the family business. Therefore, you will be supporting small and medium-sized coffee enterprises with this purchase.

Also, since this is a purely organic coffee, there are no GMO, and the use of pesticide is extremely limited if used at all. But what makes this top-rated decaf coffee special is that it is roasted and packed on demand for maximum freshness.

There are far too many coffee roasters who roast and pack their coffee in advance and need to store them. This increases the chance of the coffee to become stale. You won’t have this problem with this Cafe Don Pablo decaf coffee.

• Origin: Colombia
• Roast: Dark

The Kirkland Signature is regarded by many people as one of the best ground decaf coffee brands on the market. Indeed, this decaf coffee is finely ground so you will not have to use a coffee grinder with it. If you like to prepare instant coffee brews like Americano, then this is an excellent decaf coffee to get.

Moreover, you get a big box that weighs 48 oz with this purchase which makes it quite value for money.

If you’re the type of person to brew multiple cups of coffee every day, or you have a lot of members in your family, then this decaf coffee is a true winner.

It is also factory sealed in such a way that it will conserve all its flavor and prevents the decaf coffee from getting stale. This is a coffee that you can store for a relatively long period, no problem.

The only caveat we can note with this coffee is that it is finely ground so you don't have a lot of preparation methods. Also, it is a little bit more bitter because it is dark roasted.

Notes

This decaf coffee is one of the best for those who are busy and like to make simple coffee brews like Americano. It is so easy to use, and you will not need a grinder, so it saves time

• Origin: USA
• Roast: Medium

What Tim Hortons is reputed for is its ultra-smooth taste. Indeed, since this is a 100% Arabica decaf coffee, that this will be very refined and smooth. If you don’t like a bitter tasting coffee, then this is an excellent choice for you.

Furthermore, to ensure that you get the highest quality decaf coffee for the money, this product is roasted and packed in the USA so it will be fresher when compared to other decaf coffee.

The medium roast ensures that all its flavors and fruity notes are perfectly conserved and not roasted beyond recognition. If you like flavored coffee, then this product is an excellent choice.

• Origin: USA
• Roast: Medium

Even if the Jo Coffee has one of the most premium-looking and best packaging we have seen, this is not what makes it one of the best-decaffeinated coffee beans on the market.

Where its true value lies are in its excellent and strong taste. Indeed, most decaf coffee are rather bland when it comes to taste because the caffeine has been removed by up to 97%.

However, although caffeine is absent in the Jo Coffee as well, it still tastes strong. If you like your coffee to be extra strong but cannot take caffeine for whatever reason, then you will absolutely love Jo Coffee.

Notes

It is best to French Press this coffee as this will limit its exposure to air and prevent it from getting stale or bitter

• Origin: Ethiopia
• Roast: Dark

Peet's is one of the most popular coffee brands on the market. Their decaf coffee products are also excellent because this company is able to make a coffee that has its caffeine removed but still tastes like real coffee.

Since the coffee beans in this decaf coffee are made in Ethiopia, you are assured to get the best, freshest, and highest quality coffee beans in any decaf coffee pack. If you like your decaf coffee to be fully organic, then this is an excellent choice.

Also, when an excellent feature of this decaf coffee is that it is fully flavored and aromatic. It will taste excellent even if you do not mix a lot of sugar with it.

But what makes this product one of the best dark roast decaf coffee is that due to its multiple flavors with a chocolate undertone, it will taste just as good as a real coffee with caffeine. Awesome!

Notes

Pay careful attention to the “Best Buy” date because a few customers have been getting a stale product

• Origin: Colombia
• Roast: Medium

Koffee Kult is a well-known whole bean decaf coffee from Colombia. This product uses only fully organic coffee beans that are free from pesticides and no GMO. Moreover, you get a full coffee taste with this product despite it having around 97% of its caffeine content removed.

This product also uses 100% Arabica whole beans so you will be getting an ultra-smooth taste. Due to the low acidity level of this whole bean decaf coffee, it will also not taste bitter. It’s also quite forgiving in terms of taste especially for beginners who may skip a step or 2 when brewing a coffee.

The only caveat we note with the Koffee Kult is its fairly high price. Indeed, you get only 16 oz of decaf coffee with this purchase, and it is also one of the most expensive you will find in this decaf coffee review. But other than that, this product is simply perfect in terms of taste!

Notes

The Koffee Kult has a rather strong Cinnamon taste but still remains quite smooth because of its 100% Arabica whole coffee bean content.

• Origin: USA
• Roast: Medium

Stone Street is literally a reference in decaf coffee in the USA. Indeed, this American company based in New York will roast and pack whole decaf coffee beans as soon as possible order. This will ensure that you get the freshest and highest quality decaf coffee beans on the market.

Additionally, the roasting is quite unique as it is roasted in small batches so as to further ensure on the freshness of their coffee. One distinctive feature of the Stone Street decaf coffee is its fruity and flavors taste that will somewhat remind you of the real organic coffee with caffeine.

However, make no mistake as this decaf coffee has its caffeine content removed by as much as 97%. The only caveats we note with this product is its relatively high price and the paper bag is fragile. 

But, to be fair. This is an artisanal decaf coffee product, so it comes at a price.

Notes

Since the packaging is made from paper, you must store it in a dry place, or else it will absorb humility and ruin the taste of your coffee.

• Origin: USA
• Roast: Medium

If there is one department where the Seattle’s decaf coffee is unbeatable, then it is definitely in the price department. Indeed, when it comes to price only then the Seattle’s is the best decaf coffee in this entire review. There is simply no product that is cheaper than it.

However, its low price is very easy to explain. This decaf coffee is a blend that mixes different grades of 100% Arabica coffee beans in one bag. In short, you sacrifice quality for quantity with this purchase. However, not everything is bad as it still tastes quite decent.

One of the best things about this coffee blend is that it is very easy to prepare. In fact, there are preparation instructions right on the packaging to get you started.

Notes

Since this is a decaf coffee blend, it is best served as black coffee or as an Americana. Keep it simple.

• Origin: Colombia
• Roast: Medium

One of the unique advantages of this Fresh Roasted decaf coffee is that it is freshly roasted and packed upon order. This means that you always get the freshest and best-tasting decaf coffee because it has no time to go stale because of limited air exposure.

Furthermore, even if this decaf coffee is a little bit more expensive when compared to the rest of the competition, you get no less than 2 lbs of decaf coffee with this purchase.

Remember, this is a Colombian coffee, so you are guaranteed to get a high-quality coffee with this purchase. It is medium roast so as to preserve all its flavors, and if you like a strong coffee, then you will absolutely love this product because it is quite strong as well.

All in all, this product may not be the best decaf coffee in terms of price or packaging, but for everything else, it goes above and beyond. It tastes excellent with honey and walnut undertones that make it a very smooth and pleasant decaf coffee to have in the morning.

• Origin: Colombia
• Roast: Medium

With this purchase, you get no less than 80 K-Cups in one package which means that it is very easy to use and provides you with more control over your consumption levels.

Also, If you like your coffee smooth, then this decaf coffee from AmazonFresh will definitely fit the bill. Since this decaf coffee is made from 100% Arabica coffee beans, it is extremely smooth. 

Moreover, it has a medium roast that will allow it to preserve most, if not all of its original flavors.

The origin of the coffee beans use in this decaf coffee is from Columbia. However, it is a roasted and packed here in the USA to ensure freshness to American coffee drinkers.

Also, the packaging of this decaf coffee is very interesting as it is sealed in an airtight k-cup to prevent it from getting stale. You get no less than 80 servings where this purchase and it is fully compatible with a Keurig brewing machine if you have one.

If you like freshness above everything in your decaf coffee than this product from AmazonFresh may well be the best-tasting decaf coffee for your need.

Best, if you already have a Keurig brewing machine then you absolutely need to get this decaf coffee! The only problem we have with this decaf coffee is its price, which is very expensive when compared to others.

Health Benefits of Decaf Coffee

Simply put, decaf coffee is coffee that has its caffeine removed by as much as 97%.

If you are a person who is averse to caffeine or has been prohibited from consuming caffeine by a medical practitioner then choosing decaf coffee is a safe way of enjoying coffee without the inconvenience of caffeine.

But how safe is it and are there any health benefits associated with decaf coffee? Here are what scientific studies say about the health benefits of decaf coffee:

1. Promotes Liver Functions

There are many studies that have been conducted on the effects of normal coffee on the liver. However, there are very few studies done on how decaf coffee affects the liver.

Nevertheless, an important study conducted by the US government in 2014 shows that decaf coffee reduces liver enzyme levels that promote a healthier liver.

2. Reduces the Risk of Premature Deaths

According to NCBI, decaf coffee also seems to be responsible for the reduction of premature deaths. It does so by diminishing the risk of having a stroke or various other heart diseases that normally goes premature deaths in adults.

3. Prevents Type 2 Diabetes

Many studies show that drinking multiple cups of decaf coffee every day can reduce type 2 diabetes by up to 7%.

4. Prevents Aging and Age-Related Diseases

Decaf coffee has also been linked with reducing the risk of age-related diseases like neurodegenerative diseases. This study shows that decaf coffee also protects neurons in the brain which prevents diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

5. Eliminates Heartburn and Acid Reflux

Both heartburn and acid reflux are common problems that regular coffee drinkers face every day.

Not only does decaf coffee prevent you from getting heartburn and acid reflux but it may also protect your stomach from developing acid reflux and heartburn in general.

6. Reduces Rectal Cancer

Studies show that drinking multiple cups of decaf coffee every day can reduce your risk of getting rectal cancer by up to 48%. Pretty impressive!

How to Buy the Best Decaf Coffee Beans

1. Methods to Decaffeinate Coffee Bean

There are several ways to decaffeinate coffee. The Swiss method is perhaps the most common one that has been perfected in 1980 in Switzerland.

However, there are still other methods to decaffeinate coffee beans that have been used for centuries. Here are a few of the most common ones:

2. Swiss Water Process

The Swiss Water Process (SWP) was first used in 1933 in Switzerland. However, it is only until 1980 that Coffex S.A perfected and commercialized the Swiss Water Process method to decaffeinate coffee beans.

The way SWP works is that coffee beans are boiled in a filter system that consists of charcoal so as to dissolve the caffeine and flavor in water.

The charcoal filter size is calibrated in such a way so that it filters only the caffeine in the coffee bean.

So, when the caffeine moves through this filter, caffeine-rich water is collected on one side, and a flavor-rich liquid is collected on the other.

What is left is a barren coffee bean that does not have any flavor or caffeine. This coffee bean is discarded, and only the flavor-rich liquid is kept.

Then, another batch of coffee bean is boiled in the flavor-rich liquid via the same charcoal filter. Since the liquid is saturated with coffee flavor, only the caffeine moves through the charcoal filter and not the flavor.

Bottom line, we are left with a flavor-rich coffee bean that does not contain caffeine. At least, around 97% of the caffeine is removed from the coffee been using the SWP method.

3. Carbon Dioxide

The carbon monoxide method is the newest method to decaffeinate coffee beans. It was invented by Kurt Zosel from the Max Pratt Institute.

Basically, a very high-pressure liquid carbon dioxide is pumped over a water-soaked coffee bean. This carbon dioxide acts as the solvent that attacks the caffeine in the coffee bean only and leaves the flavor behind.

Once the liquid carbon dioxide has extracted caffeine from a bulk of coffee bean, it is directed in a chamber where the pressure is released, and the liquid carbon dioxide returns to gaseous form.

Finally, the collected caffeine-rich water is discarded, and the gaseous carbon dioxide is repressured to liquid form for re-use.

The main disadvantage of the carbon dioxide method to decaffeinate coffee beans is that it is very expensive. Therefore, CO2 decaf coffee is only used by big coffee companies who can afford the cost.

4. Direct-Solvent

The direct solvent method is the oldest decaffeinated method used. Technically, any decaf coffee that does not tell you specifically which method has been used to remove caffeine from the coffee beans will be using the direct solvent method.

In this method, the coffee beans of steamed for 30 minutes such that their pores open.

Then, a solvent like methylene chloride or ethyl acetate is used on the steamed coffee beans for up to 10 hours in order to remove the caffeine from the beans.

When this is done, the caffeine-rich solvent is discarded, and the remaining decaffeinated coffee bean is steamed one more time so as to remove any remaining solvent.

5. Indirect-Solvent

This method is similar to the direct-solvent method with one exception. The treated decaf coffee beans are soaked one more time in the extracted solvent so as the oils and coffee flavors can penetrate the treated coffee beans again.

The indirect solvent method that uses methylene chloride as a solvent is very popular in Europe, and it is commonly referred to as “The European Method” to decaffeinate coffee.

6. Origin

The origin of the coffee plays an important role in its taste. Each country produces a coffee that has a typical taste.

Knowing the origin of the decaf coffee will also tell you if you are purchasing a high-quality and reputable coffee because shoddy and counterfeit coffee tends to not show the origins of the country.

7. Brands

There are several brands of decaf coffee. In fact, when it comes to decaf coffee, there isn’t really a best-tasting decaf coffee brand because it all boils down to personal taste.

Furthermore, you may be tempted to go with a no-name brand when purchasing a decaf coffee because they are significantly cheaper than a branded product.

However, keep in mind that a decaf coffee from a reputable brand like Cafe Don Pablo or Koa Coffee will almost always be superior both in taste as well as for your health than a no-name product. Even if they cost a little bit more.

Conclusion

If you don’t like caffeine in your coffee but still want the real deal, then decaf coffee is the way to go.

Modern advances in science and technology have made it possible to remove caffeine from coffee in such a way that it does not ruin the taste of the decaf coffee.

Decaf coffee is safer to drink, especially for those who tend to drink multiple cups of coffee every day. Additionally, you will also never get addicted to decaf coffee because there is no caffeine in it that can create an addiction.

Finally, if you have read our decaf coffee review above and still not decided on a coffee product yet, then don’t worry. Read the review again to make your choice!

Sources

1. Decaf Coffee: Good or Bad? - Healthline
2. Is Decaf Coffee Harmful to Health - Medical News Today