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Decaf coffeesHelping You Find the Best
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Decaf coffeesHelping You Find the Best
7 Best Decaf Coffees  [Tested and Reviewed]

7 Best Decaf Coffees [Tested and Reviewed]

Decaf coffee is great if you like a cup of coffee before bed or you’re avoiding caffeine during pregnancy. And luckily, many well-loved brands offer decaffeinated versions, such as Folgers and Mount Hagen. However, decaf coffee often has a reputation for having less flavor and richness than the real thing.

We've compared 7 of the bestselling decaf coffees available online and put them to the test to recommend the best ones for you.


We tested each product for the following:

  • Taste (Our Testers)
  • Taste (Coffee Expert)

  • Taste With Milk (Our Testers)

  • Taste With Milk and Sugar (Our Testers)


Which product ended up being the best of the best? Read on to find out. We'll also tell you how to pick the best decaf coffee on your own in our buying guide.

Last updated 02/07/2024
Mieko Koike
Expert
Barista
Mieko Koike

Mieko has participated in and won several awards at numerous barista championships and is now a judge herself. She won the 2006 Japan Barista Championship's Syphon Division and was runner-up for the 2013 Japan Coffee In Good Spirits Championship. While she's not training other aspiring baristas at her seminar Coffee Academy, she also supervises coffee-related books and produces coffee beverages.

Mieko Koike's Profile
…Continue reading
Daisuke Ainoya
Guide
Head of Kitchen and Coffee at mybest
Daisuke Ainoya

For seven years, Daisuke has served specialty coffees as a barista and taught hand-drip latte art seminars. Currently, at mybest, he conducts the verification for all coffee-related products and equipment, including major manufacturers such as Kalita, Hario, and De'longhi, and specialty coffee brands such as Starbucks, UCC, Maruyama Coffee, and Blue Bottle Coffee. He creates content with the motto of "making ordinary coffee more delicious" by utilizing his experience as a barista. In addition, he also operates his own coffee roastery.

Daisuke Ainoya's Profile
…Continue reading

How We Tested the Products

We gathered the 7 bestselling Decaf Coffees and put them through rigorous testing.
  1. Taste (Our Testers)

    1
    Taste (Our Testers)

    The most important point to consider when choosing a decaffeinated coffee is how it tastes with nothing added. Six testers, coffee drinkers themselves, evaluated the flavor of each product to find which were closest to the flavor profile of regular caffeinated coffee. The following four points were considered:Depth of flavorBalance of tasteSensation when drinkingQuality of aroma and flavorThe drip coffee makers used in the testing were the Melitta Aroma Filter Series AF-M1, and the filters we used were Melitta Aromatic FSC Mix. The brewing procedures using beans and grounds were as follows:Coffee beans were medium-ground with a Coffee Mill BM-250N at setting 4 for medium grind, using one ounce of grounds.Two fluid ounces of Kirkland Signature Spring Water (medium-hard) was heated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The first pour of two ounces was left to steep and moisten the grounds for 30 seconds.When the water visibly reduced by one-third, another cup of hot water was added at a 90-degree angle from the center.After steeping, water was added again in three stages, starting with eight ounces, followed by four and then two ounces.The coffee was taste-tested immediately after this process.The brewing procedure for instant coffee was as follows:For one teaspoon of instant coffee, five ounces of water was heated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The coffee was stirred about 10 times and taste-tested while still hot.

  2. Taste (Coffee Expert)

    2
    Taste (Coffee Expert)

    The opinions of professional baristas are crucial when evaluating the taste and quality of coffee. A barista assessed each decaf coffee based on aroma, balance of flavor, and sensation when drinking, according to the six points outlined below. The brewing methods were identical to the processes described in the first test.Points tested: FlavorBodySweetnessBitternessAcidityAftertaste

  3. Taste with Milk (Our Testers)

    3
    Taste with Milk (Our Testers)

    The taste and quality of a decaf coffee with milk added is also important to take into consideration. Our testers used the following four points to evaluate whether the aroma and taste of café au lait made with decaf coffee was comparable to that made with regular coffee.Flavor balance between the milk and coffeeIs the bitterness or acidity too pronounced?Does it taste mild, with the sweetness of the milk apparent?Does it leave any roughness on the tongue or an astringent aftertaste?We prepared the drinks in the following way for testing:Five ounces of whole milk was poured into 10 ounces of coffee, which was prepared using the same procedure as in the first test above.The coffee was thoroughly stirred five times before taste-testing.

  4. Taste with Milk and Sugar (Our Testers)

    4
    Taste with Milk and Sugar (Our Testers)

    Testers then evaluated the coffees after adding both milk and sugar to them. We wanted to find which product had the best balance of flavor between coffee, milk, and sugar to achieve a creamy, mild café au lait. We asked testers to consider the following:Balance of sweetnessDoes it become too sweet?Does the bitterness or acidity overpower the sweetness?We prepared the drinks in the following way for testing:One tablespoon of sugar was added to five ounces of coffee with milk, made in the same way as in the "Taste With Milk Added" test above.Taste-testing was performed after stirring the mixture until the sugar was completely dissolved.

All product tests
were conducted in-house at mybest

Company Facility
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.The mybest team independently conducts its own tests to rank products.
We do not guarantee any of the results or features explained in our buying guide. Please reference each product's official description when making your purchase.

Table of Contents

Is Decaf Coffee Healthy?

You may have heard that decaf coffee is unhealthy, so let's take a closer look and find out.

Decaf Coffee Isn’t Stimulating and Won’t Cause Energy Slumps

Decaf Coffee Isn’t Stimulating and Won’t Cause Energy Slumps

Caffeine is a stimulant that wakes us up by temporarily raising blood sugar levels. Thanks to its very low caffeine content, decaf does not have the stimulating effect that regular coffee does. It’s less likely to cause light-headedness, spikes in blood glucose levels, and the inevitable slump once it wears off. If you find regular coffee too stimulating or a little hard on the stomach, decaf may be a better choice for you.

How Much Caffeine is in Decaf Coffee?

Though certainly very low, decaffeinated coffee is not completely free of caffeine.

Enjoy Multiple Cups at Under 3% Caffeine, Even During Pregnancy

Enjoy Multiple Cups at Under 3% Caffeine, Even During Pregnancy

Decaf coffee contains less than three percent caffeine, so it's much better for drinking during pregnancy. In the U.S., it is recommended to limit your daily caffeine intake to 200 milligrams during pregnancy. Since a one-teaspoon serving of instant coffee contains around 80 milligrams of caffeine, that’s just two cups a day.


Decaf, on the other hand, contains around six to nine milligrams per cup, so you could drink up to 22 cups a day if you wanted to!

How Is Caffeine Removed from Coffee?

There are three main techniques for removing caffeine from coffee: dissolving the caffeine in water, dissolving it in carbon dioxide using the supercritical CO2 method, and extracting it through a chemical process using an organic solvent.

The Water Method is More Common, While the CO2 Method Uses the Latest Technology

The Water Method is More Common, While the CO2 Method Uses the Latest Technology

The water process is the most well-known method of removing caffeine. Coffee beans are soaked in water, then taken out and dried after the caffeine has dissolved. This process is relatively inexpensive, making the end product more affordable, too.


A more recently developed process is the supercritical CO2 method, where the coffee beans are infused with supercritical carbon dioxide. This technique is said to be the easiest way to remove caffeine while still preserving the flavor of the beans.

How Does Decaf Coffee Taste?

Unfortunately, the decaffeination process takes away some of the flavor and subtlety of the original coffee. The aroma is subdued, and the resulting coffee is usually weaker and less satisfying overall.

Caffeine Removal Subdues the Flavor and Richness

Caffeine Removal Subdues the Flavor and Richness

When we asked baristas to compare a series of caffeinated and decaffeinated products, the consensus was that decaf lacked the aroma of regular coffee, had a weaker flavor, and just didn't taste as good. A number of the products we tested, however, managed to maintain some of the taste qualities of regular caffeinated coffee. Don’t miss our selection process and recommendations below to find out which came out on top. 

How to Choose Decaf Coffee - Buying Guide

Here are the points to keep in mind when choosing the best Decaf Coffees.

1

Amazon Fresh's Decaf Colombia Has the Full Flavor of Regular Coffee

Amazon Fresh's Decaf Colombia Has the Full Flavor of Regular Coffee

Amazon Fresh's Decaf Colombia earned our highest score for taste. It was the only product rated as having the same flavor qualities as a regular, full-bodied coffee. Their Decaf Colombia is both aromatic and smooth when served black.


With its pronounced flavor, testers said that the bitterness of the coffee was well-balanced with milk and sugar. Its deep flavor is a stark contrast to the usual assumption that decaf coffee is weak and bland. This Colombian decaf is the perfect choice if you’ve been looking for the taste of regular coffee in a decaf variety.

2

Consider Instant Decaf if You're in a Hurry

Just like regular coffee, you can choose between beans, grounds, and instant decaf varieties.

Instant Coffee Only Takes 10 Seconds to Brew

Instant Coffee Only Takes 10 Seconds to Brew

If you have hot water ready to go, instant coffee only takes around 10 seconds to make. And while brewing with beans and grounds requires multiple steps involving grinders, filters, and machines, all you need is a cup for instant. For those who don't have a coffee maker or don’t have much time in the mornings, instant coffee is a no-brainer. 

However, Instant Decaf Tends to Be Bitter and Weak in Flavor

However, Instant Decaf Tends to Be Bitter and Weak in Flavor

On the downside, instant coffee has an inferior taste profile compared to beans and grounds. Our testers reported the instant decaf as having a grainy mouthfeel and aftertaste.


As for flavor and taste, the instant coffees were also very bitter and lacking in other areas, such as sweetness and acidity. This resulted in a noticeable flavor imbalance. Instant coffee is made by dehydrating brewed coffee until it becomes a powder. This explains its downsides compared to regular coffee, which loses flavor when exposed to air.

Was the Buying Guide helpful?
We do not guarantee any of the results or features explained in our buying guide. Please reference each product's official description when making your purchase.

7 Best Decaf Coffee Ranking

Here are the best Decaf Coffees we found after testing them. We ranked them after weighting each of our testing specs.
Recommended
Price Performance
Sort
Filter
Bitterness
Acidity
Perfect with Milk
Great with Milk and Sugar
Instant Decaf
Products
Image
mybest Score
Click to purchase
Key features
Main Score
Details
Taste (judged by our testers)
Taste (coffee expert)
Taste with milk(our testers)
Taste with milk and sugar(our testers)
Variety
Type (whole bean, ground etc.)
Packaging
Number of cups per package
Decaffeination method
Roast
Taste
Flavor notes
Origin
Certified organic
Bitterness
Acidity
1

Amazon

AmazonFreshDecaf Colombia

Amazon Decaf Colombia 1
4.40

mybest's Top Choice: As Aromatic and Rich as Regular Coffee

4.38
4.65
4.35
4.29

Arabica

Ground

Bag

unknown

unknown

Medium roast

smooth finish

cocoa and brown sugar

Colombia

5

3

2

Seattle's Best Coffee

DecafBHBUSWA4517

Seattle's Best Coffee Decaf 1
4.26

For Fans of Strong, Bitter Blends

4.18
4.29
4.26
4.41

Arabica

Instant

Canister

6cups

unknown

Medium roast

mild taste

Decaf Portside Blend

Latin America

unknown

6

2

3

LifeBoost

Medium Decaf

LifeBoost Medium Decaf 1
3.99

A Unique Flavor that Goes Well with Milk

4.02
3.57
4.23
4.20

Arabica

Whole bean

Bag

unknown

Water process

Medium roast

low acid

almond, maple syrup

unknown

2

2

4

Mount Hagen

Organic-CafeSYNCHKG070625

Mount Hagen Organic-Cafe 1
3.80

Sour and Astringent, Best with Milk and Sweetener

3.55
3.57
3.99
4.58

Arabica

Instant

Canister

60cups

Supercritical CO2method

unknown

mild

nutty

unknown

4

3

5

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

Breakfast Blend5000198873

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Breakfast Blend 1
3.71

Flavorless, Weak, and Unpleasant Even when Sweetened

3.81
3.22
3.93
3.99

Arabica

Ground

Bag

unknown

unknown

Light roast

bold

nutty flavor and a silky

unknown

2

4

6

Costa Rica Tarrazu

Decaf Coffee

Costa Rica Tarrazu Decaf Coffee 1
3.59

Grassy and Weak, Lacking Richness

3.72
3.22
3.66
3.72

unknown

Whole bean

Bag

unknown

Water process

Medium roast

vivacious, smooth, bright

clean body, apples, nuts

Costa Rica

4

3

7

The J.M. Smucker

FolgersClassic Decaf

The J.M. Smucker Classic Decaf 1
3.40

Bitter and Astringent No Matter How It's Served

3.42
3.22
3.48
3.46

unknown

Ground

Canister

240cups

unknown

Medium roast

unknown

whisky

unknown

5

2

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1
Top Choice Decaf Coffees
No.1 in Taste (judged by our testers)
No.1 in Taste (coffee expert)
No.1 in Taste with milk(our testers)

Amazon
AmazonFreshDecaf Colombia

mybest Score
4.40
Taste (judged by our testers)
4.38
Taste (coffee expert)
4.65
Taste with milk(our testers)
4.35
Taste with milk and sugar(our testers)
4.29
View on Amazon
Decaf Colombia 1
Lowest price
$6.55
Low
Lowest price
$6.55
Low
Type (whole bean, ground etc.)Ground

mybest's Top Choice: As Aromatic and Rich as Regular Coffee

What we loved

  • Full-bodied and rich served black
  • Just as delicious with milk and/or sugar
  • Comparable taste to regular coffee

What we didn't love

  • None that we noticed

Amazon Fresh's Decaf Colombia is made with medium-ground Arabica beans. Served black, it has a richness and sweetness similar to chocolate or maple syrup. It’s full-bodied and bitter, its mild sweetness adds balance. All in all, testers found this coffee to be enjoyable in a way you would not normally expect for a decaf coffee.


With milk added, we found the taste was well-balanced between the bitterness of the coffee and the sweetness of the milk. Adding sugar enhanced the richness even further, with one tester mentioning that it tasted just like a caffeinated coffee.


Whether prepared black or as a café au lait, Amazon Fresh's Decaf Colombia has a full-bodied flavor that might make you forget you're drinking decaf. We highly recommend it if you're looking for a decaf coffee comparable in taste to regular coffee.

VarietyArabica
PackagingBag
Number of cups per packageunknown
Decaffeination methodunknown
RoastMedium roast
Tastesmooth finish
Flavor notes cocoa and brown sugar
OriginColombia
Certified organic
Bitterness5
Acidity3
View all
Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

Seattle's Best Coffee
DecafBHBUSWA4517

mybest Score
4.26
Taste (judged by our testers)
4.18
Taste (coffee expert)
4.29
Taste with milk(our testers)
4.26
Taste with milk and sugar(our testers)
4.41
Lowest price
$55.52
High
Type (whole bean, ground etc.)Instant

For Fans of Strong, Bitter Blends

What we loved

  • Good strength with hints of acidity and sweetness
  • Great for fans of bitter blends

What we didn't love

  • Not ideal for black coffee drinkers

Seattle's Best Coffee's Decaf is another ground option made with medium-roasted Arabica beans. As a black coffee, it gave off an aroma reminiscent of honey and dark chocolate, with a smoky accent. It is strong, full-bodied, and rich, despite being decaffeinated, and mainly bitter with hints of acidity and sweetness. This is a good choice for coffee fans who prefer a more bitter blend.


The addition of milk balanced out the strong bitter taste and overall flavor, while sugar gave it a creaminess without being overly thick. If you find this coffee to be too bitter, add milk and sugar for a better depth and aroma.

VarietyArabica
PackagingCanister
Number of cups per package6cups
Decaffeination methodunknown
RoastMedium roast
Tastemild taste
Flavor notesDecaf Portside Blend
OriginLatin America
Certified organicunknown
Bitterness6
Acidity2
View all
No.3

LifeBoost
Medium Decaf

mybest Score
3.99
Taste (judged by our testers)
4.02
Taste (coffee expert)
3.57
Taste with milk(our testers)
4.23
Taste with milk and sugar(our testers)
4.20
Lowest price
$27.95
Mid
Type (whole bean, ground etc.)Whole bean

A Unique Flavor that Goes Well with Milk

What we loved

  • Mellow aroma may suit some palates

What we didn't love

  • Weak flavor lacking in bitterness
  • Astringent taste and aftertaste

This USDA-Certified Organic Medium Decaf by Lifeboost is a whole-bean blend made with medium-roasted Arabica beans. It has a mellow aroma with hints of almonds and maple syrup. The flavor itself is powerfully sweet, with an astringent taste and aftertaste that make it difficult to drink. Overall, the flavor is weak and lacks the bitterness and acidity of regular coffee.


Adding milk weakened the aroma of the coffee, but managed to subdue the astringency and improve its drinkability. Sugar added a moderate creaminess and body, making Lifeboost's coffee a possibility for drinkers who like a lot of milk and sugar.

VarietyArabica
PackagingBag
Number of cups per packageunknown
Decaffeination methodWater process
RoastMedium roast
Tastelow acid
Flavor notesalmond, maple syrup
Originunknown
Certified organic
Bitterness2
Acidity2
View all
No.4
No.1 in Taste with milk and sugar(our testers)

Mount Hagen
Organic-CafeSYNCHKG070625

mybest Score
3.80
Taste (judged by our testers)
3.55
Taste (coffee expert)
3.57
Taste with milk(our testers)
3.99
Taste with milk and sugar(our testers)
4.58
Lowest price
$19.95
Mid
Type (whole bean, ground etc.)Instant

Sour and Astringent, Best with Milk and Sweetener

What we loved

  • Good balance of bitterness and acidity
  • Rich and enjoyable as a sweetened, milky coffee

What we didn't love

  • Acidity becomes unpleasant as it cools
  • Not suitable for black coffee drinkers

Mount Hagen's Organic-Cafe is an instant decaf made with Arabica beans, which are decaffeinated using both water and carbon dioxide methods. The initial aroma has a sweetness reminiscent of burnt sugar. Immediately after brewing, the flavor came across as weak and harshly astringent, although there was a good balance between bitterness and acidity.


After it had cooled down a little, the acidity became unpleasantly pronounced, so we recommend brewing only enough to drink while it's still hot. However, the bitterness was more prominent when we added milk and the astringency disappeared completely, resulting in a mild and full-bodied brew. Taste testers enjoyed it as a café au lait, commenting that sugar gave it an added richness. This instant coffee is good for sweet variations of milk-based coffees.

VarietyArabica
PackagingCanister
Number of cups per package60cups
Decaffeination methodSupercritical CO2method
Roastunknown
Tastemild
Flavor notesnutty
Originunknown
Certified organic
Bitterness4
Acidity3
View all
No.5

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Breakfast Blend5000198873

mybest Score
3.71
Taste (judged by our testers)
3.81
Taste (coffee expert)
3.22
Taste with milk(our testers)
3.93
Taste with milk and sugar(our testers)
3.99
Lowest price
$9.19
Low Mid
Type (whole bean, ground etc.)Ground

Flavorless, Weak, and Unpleasant Even when Sweetened

What we loved

  • Sweet initial aroma

What we didn't love

  • Acidic taste dominates overall
  • Lacking in richness and bitterness

Made with lightly roasted Arabica beans, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters' Breakfast Blend is a ground decaf coffee. Initial impressions about the aroma were that it had a vanilla sweetness and an almost grassy smell, like hay. But the dominant taste was acidic, lacking in richness or bitterness. This coffee seems to fit the stereotype that decaf coffee is flavorless and difficult to drink.


Milk added some creaminess, of course, but testers noted that there was still a bitter aftertaste. Adding sugar didn't help. Testers felt this product wasn't suitable for anyone looking for a decaf that tastes similar to regular coffee.

VarietyArabica
PackagingBag
Number of cups per packageunknown
Decaffeination methodunknown
RoastLight roast
Tastebold
Flavor notesnutty flavor and a silky
Originunknown
Certified organic
Bitterness2
Acidity4
View all
No.6

Costa Rica Tarrazu
Decaf Coffee

mybest Score
3.59
Taste (judged by our testers)
3.72
Taste (coffee expert)
3.22
Taste with milk(our testers)
3.66
Taste with milk and sugar(our testers)
3.72
Lowest price
$24.99
Mid
Type (whole bean, ground etc.)Whole bean

Grassy and Weak, Lacking Richness

What we loved

  • Medium-bodied flavor

What we didn't love

  • Overall weak taste with no body
  • Difficult to drink, even with milk and sugar

Costa Rica Tarrazu's Decaf Coffee comes as whole, medium-roast beans that have been decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process. This coffee has a grassy aroma, similar to hay or grain. It is medium-bodied with a primarily bitter flavor. Unfortunately, the overall taste was weak, with a heady sweetness that made it difficult to drink.


Adding milk made the coffee less bitter, but didn't add to the body. Taste testers thought that even with milk and sugar, it lacked the richness of a café au lait. The sugar also didn't offset the bitter taste.

Varietyunknown
PackagingBag
Number of cups per packageunknown
Decaffeination methodWater process
RoastMedium roast
Tastevivacious, smooth, bright
Flavor notesclean body, apples, nuts
OriginCosta Rica
Certified organic
Bitterness4
Acidity3
View all
No.7

The J.M. Smucker
FolgersClassic Decaf

mybest Score
3.40
Taste (judged by our testers)
3.42
Taste (coffee expert)
3.22
Taste with milk(our testers)
3.48
Taste with milk and sugar(our testers)
3.46
Lowest price
$26.53
Mid
Type (whole bean, ground etc.)Ground

Bitter and Astringent No Matter How It's Served

What we loved

  • Large container size

What we didn't love

  • Offputting aroma
  • Adding sugar pronounced its astringency

Folgers' Classic Decaf is made with 99.7 percent decaffeinated grounds. It comes in a large 30.5-ounce container, enough to brew approximately 240 cups of coffee. Initial impressions of the aroma were that it had a whiskey-like smell of grain. The strength of this aroma upon opening the container was off-putting.


Though full-bodied, the flavor was oily and very bitter, with little sweetness or acidity. Even when testers added milk, the intense bitterness was overpowering. Both this and its astringency were strong enough to make the drink unenjoyable. Sugar gave the coffee a rougher texture, and the astringency was still pronounced. If you're looking for an aromatic, rich coffee, this may be a product to avoid.

Varietyunknown
PackagingCanister
Number of cups per package240cups
Decaffeination methodunknown
RoastMedium roast
Tasteunknown
Flavor noteswhisky
Originunknown
Certified organic
Bitterness5
Acidity2
View all

How We Tested the Decaf Coffees

Decaf Coffees Evaluation

We analyzed seven of the best-selling decaffeinated coffee varieties from Amazon, Walmart, Target, and similar stores and have determined our recommendations based on our testing process. When choosing the best decaffeinated coffee, we examined how similar each product tasted to caffeinated coffee and how it tasted when sweetened. We evaluated each product under the same conditions, immediately after opening the package.


We looked at the following points:


  • Taste, according to our testers

  • Taste, according to a coffee expert

  • Taste with milk added, according to our testers

  • Taste with milk and sugar added, according to our testers

Products we tested

  1. AmazonAmazonFreshDecaf Colombia
  2. Costa Rica TarrazuDecaf Coffee
  3. Green Mountain Coffee RoastersBreakfast Blend5000198873
  4. LifeBoostMedium Decaf
  5. Mount HagenOrganic-CafeSYNCHKG070625
  6. Seattle's Best CoffeeDecafBHBUSWA4517
  7. The J.M. SmuckerFolgersClassic Decaf
1

Taste (Our Testers)

Taste (Our Testers)

The most important point to consider when choosing a decaffeinated coffee is how it tastes with nothing added. Six testers, coffee drinkers themselves, evaluated the flavor of each product to find which were closest to the flavor profile of regular caffeinated coffee.


The following four points were considered:

  • Depth of flavor

  • Balance of taste

  • Sensation when drinking

  • Quality of aroma and flavor


The drip coffee makers used in the testing were the Melitta Aroma Filter Series AF-M1, and the filters we used were Melitta Aromatic FSC Mix. The brewing procedures using beans and grounds were as follows:

  • Coffee beans were medium-ground with a Coffee Mill BM-250N at setting 4 for medium grind, using one ounce of grounds.

  • Two fluid ounces of Kirkland Signature Spring Water (medium-hard) was heated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The first pour of two ounces was left to steep and moisten the grounds for 30 seconds.

  • When the water visibly reduced by one-third, another cup of hot water was added at a 90-degree angle from the center.

  • After steeping, water was added again in three stages, starting with eight ounces, followed by four and then two ounces.

The coffee was taste-tested immediately after this process.


The brewing procedure for instant coffee was as follows:

  • For one teaspoon of instant coffee, five ounces of water was heated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The coffee was stirred about 10 times and taste-tested while still hot.

2

Taste (Coffee Expert)

Taste (Coffee Expert)

The opinions of professional baristas are crucial when evaluating the taste and quality of coffee. A barista assessed each decaf coffee based on aroma, balance of flavor, and sensation when drinking, according to the six points outlined below. The brewing methods were identical to the processes described in the first test.


Points tested:


  • Flavor

  • Body

  • Sweetness

  • Bitterness

  • Acidity

  • Aftertaste

3

Taste with Milk (Our Testers)

Taste with Milk (Our Testers)

The taste and quality of a decaf coffee with milk added is also important to take into consideration. Our testers used the following four points to evaluate whether the aroma and taste of café au lait made with decaf coffee was comparable to that made with regular coffee.


  • Flavor balance between the milk and coffee

  • Is the bitterness or acidity too pronounced?

  • Does it taste mild, with the sweetness of the milk apparent?

  • Does it leave any roughness on the tongue or an astringent aftertaste?


We prepared the drinks in the following way for testing:

  • Five ounces of whole milk was poured into 10 ounces of coffee, which was prepared using the same procedure as in the first test above.

  • The coffee was thoroughly stirred five times before taste-testing.

4

Taste with Milk and Sugar (Our Testers)

Taste with Milk and Sugar (Our Testers)

Testers then evaluated the coffees after adding both milk and sugar to them. We wanted to find which product had the best balance of flavor between coffee, milk, and sugar to achieve a creamy, mild café au lait. We asked testers to consider the following:


  • Balance of sweetness

  • Does it become too sweet?

  • Does the bitterness or acidity overpower the sweetness?


We prepared the drinks in the following way for testing:

  • One tablespoon of sugar was added to five ounces of coffee with milk, made in the same way as in the "Taste With Milk Added" test above.

  • Taste-testing was performed after stirring the mixture until the sugar was completely dissolved.

Top 5 Decaf Coffees

No. 1: AmazonAmazonFreshDecaf Colombia

No. 2: Seattle's Best CoffeeDecafBHBUSWA4517

No. 3: LifeBoostMedium Decaf

No. 4: Mount HagenOrganic-CafeSYNCHKG070625

No. 5: Green Mountain Coffee RoastersBreakfast Blend5000198873

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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