Decaf has a bad reputation. For a long time it was something flat and muted that you drank because you had to, and plenty of people still write it off.
We think it deserves better, and ours is a decaf we drink at home.
Why decaf got a bad name
For years decaf was the leftover on the roaster's list: lower-grade coffee, roasted without much care, sold as a last resort. Bad decaf was bad coffee first. Take the caffeine out of a poor lot and you still have a poor lot.
So, is decaf any good?
Yes, when four things line up. Good green coffee to start with, because a decaf can only be as good as the raw product. A decaffeination process that protects flavour. A roast that develops the coffee fully instead of treating it as second-class. And freshness, because decaf goes stale like any other coffee.
Our decaf: Colombia Condor
Our decaf is a washed Colombian coffee from Tolima, grown by the Bayter family of El Vergel Estate.
Expect chocolate, caramel and warm spices in a cup that's sweet, creamy and full of flavour. It's roasted fresh in Melbourne and developed fully so the sweetness comes through. It fooled our own cupping table: nobody picked it as decaf.
How is decaf made?
Caffeine is removed from the green, unroasted beans before roasting. There are a few common methods.
Water process (Swiss Water is the best known) uses water and filtration to pull the caffeine out. The ethyl acetate, or EA, process uses ethyl acetate, a compound derived from sugarcane and found naturally in many fruits, to remove caffeine while keeping much of the coffee's flavour. It's often called the sugarcane process. Other solvent methods are widely used for commodity coffee.
Ours is EA washed, decaffeinated before it reaches us.
Does decaf have zero caffeine?
Not quite. Most of the caffeine is removed, but a small amount remains. If you're highly sensitive to caffeine or have been advised to avoid it, check with your doctor.
Who is decaf for?
Anyone who wants a proper coffee after dinner without lying awake. People who are sensitive to caffeine or cutting back. Anyone who wants a second or third cup without the jitters. And coffee lovers who care about sleep, which includes us.
How to brew decaf well
Treat it like any other specialty coffee.
Espresso. Our recipe is 18g in, 36g out, a 1:2 ratio, in around 25 to 30 seconds. Then adjust the grind to taste. Our espresso guide covers dialling in.
Filter and pour-over. Our pour-over method works well: 15g of coffee, 225g of water at 88 to 90°C, coarse grind, a 50g bloom for 45 seconds, then pour slowly up to 225g. It should finish between 2:15 and 2:30.
With milk. A flat white or latte is where this decaf is at its best, with whatever milk you normally use.
Keep it fresh. Check the roast date, store the beans in an airtight container away from light and heat, and use within a few weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Is decaf coffee any good?
It can be excellent. Ours fooled our own cupping table.
Why does decaf sometimes taste bad?
Usually because it was lower-grade coffee to begin with, roasted without care and sold stale.
What is your decaf?
Colombia Condor, a washed Colombian coffee from Tolima, grown by the Bayter family of El Vergel Estate and roasted fresh in Melbourne.
What does it taste like?
Chocolate, caramel and warm spices. Sweet, creamy and full of flavour.
How is it decaffeinated?
With the ethyl acetate (EA) process, often called the sugarcane process. Ethyl acetate is derived from sugarcane and also occurs naturally in many fruits. The coffee is decaffeinated before we roast it.
What's the best espresso recipe for your decaf?
18g in, 36g out, a 1:2 ratio. Adjust the grind to taste from there.
Does decaf taste different to regular coffee?
Slightly, in some cases, but a well-made decaf comes very close. The aim is a cup you'd happily drink in the morning too.
Does decaf have any caffeine?
A small amount. Most is removed, but it isn't zero. If you need to avoid caffeine completely, speak to your doctor.
Can I use decaf for espresso and milk coffees?
Yes, both. Use the same recipe as any other espresso and adjust to taste.
Is decaf bad for you?
Decaf is generally considered fine for most people. If you have a medical reason to avoid caffeine or other health concerns, check with your doctor.
Can I get decaf on subscription?
Yes. Choose your grind and your frequency and we'll deliver it fresh on your schedule.
How fresh will it be?
We roast every week and ship fresh, so check the roast date on the bag when it lands.
Give decaf a second chance
If you've written decaf off, try this one.