Decaf Coffee: How It's Made and Does It Taste Good?

Decaf has come a long way. Older methods gave it a bad reputation, but today's best decaf can taste nearly as good as regular coffee — if you know what to look for.

How caffeine is removed

All decaffeination happens to green (unroasted) beans and relies on water to draw caffeine out. The methods differ in what carries the caffeine away:

• Swiss Water Process: chemical-free, uses only water and filters. Popular in specialty coffee for preserving flavor.
• CO2 process: uses pressurized carbon dioxide; gentle on flavor.
• Solvent-based: uses food-safe solvents that are washed away; common and inexpensive.

Does decaf taste good?

Good decaf tastes like good coffee. The key factors are the same as with regular: quality beans, a clean decaffeination method like Swiss Water, and — most importantly — fresh roasting. Stale decaf is what people remember disliking.

Is it truly caffeine-free?

Not entirely. Decaf still contains a small amount of caffeine, typically a few milligrams per cup — far less than regular coffee, but not zero.

Enjoy coffee any time of day

Fresh, well-made decaf lets you enjoy a cup in the evening. Explore our freshly roasted coffees.