- We tasted decaf coffees from 15 roasters to see which ones had the best flavor and were the most balanced.
Craving Coffee Without the Buzz? Decaf to the Rescue!
For many of us, coffee is a daily ritual -
that invigorating aroma, the warmth in your hands, and the satisfying taste
that jumpstarts our mornings. But what if you love the taste of coffee but want
to skip the caffeine jitters, trouble sleeping, or increased anxiety? Decaf
coffee comes to the rescue!
What is decaf coffee?
Decaf, short for decaffeinated coffee, offers
the perfect solution. It's regular coffee that's undergone a special process to
remove most of its caffeine content. This decaffeination process aims to strike
a perfect balance: eliminating the stimulating effects of caffeine while
preserving the rich flavor and satisfying aroma that coffee lovers crave.
But how exactly does decaf coffee come to be?
Let's delve deeper into the world of decaffeination methods used to create your
favorite cup of calm coffee!
The Decaf Dilemma: Balancing Flavor and
Caffeine-Free Bliss
Having worked at coffee roasting companies,
I've seen firsthand the dedication that goes into creating exceptional decaf
blends. While many coffee drinkers rely on that morning cup for a caffeine kick,
decaf coffee lovers appreciate the pure enjoyment of the coffee experience
itself. However, the decaffeination process, which occurs before roasting, can
significantly impact the final flavor. This presents a unique challenge -
achieving a delicious decaf cup that doesn't compromise on taste.
Unveiling the Decaffeination Process:
There are various methods for decaffeinating
coffee beans. They all share a common first step: steaming or boiling the
green (unroasted) coffee beans to open up their pores and allow for
caffeine extraction. The caffeine is then separated using different techniques:
- Solvents: Some methods employ
solvents like methylene chloride or ethyl acetate to remove caffeine from
the water bath containing the beans.
- Water-Based Processes: Other methods, like the popular Swiss Water Process, utilize
special filters or osmosis to remove caffeine without introducing
chemicals. Specialty roasters often favor decafs processed with ethyl
acetate or Swiss Water methods because they tend to have a minimal impact
on the coffee's original flavor profile.
Our Quest for the Perfect Decaf Cup:
But how does this translate to real-world
taste? To answer that question, we put a variety of decaf coffees to the test.
We sourced 15 decaf options from both specialty roasters and grocery
stores. Our goal? To identify a decaf that excels in flavor, acidity, body,
sweetness, and overall balance.
The Best Decaf Coffee
Counter Culture Coffee Slow Motion Decaf Blend: A Top Contender
Counter Culture Coffee's Slow Motion Decaf Blend emerged as a frontrunner in our decaf taste tests, impressing our panel with its exceptional flavor clarity. This medium roast stood out for its beautiful balance of sweetness, pleasant acidity, and a satisfying full body. Tasting notes of dark chocolate, cherry, and almond offered a delightful flavor profile, making it a truly enjoyable decaf experience.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters' Trapper Creek Decaf: A Fruity Twist on Medium Roast
For those seeking a fruit-forward twist on a medium roast decaf, Stumptown Coffee Roasters' Trapper Creek Decaf Blend might be your perfect match. This well-balanced coffee features a vibrant orange-like acidity that's beautifully complemented by hints of milk chocolate and honey sweetness. The medium body boasts a velvety texture, making for a smooth and enjoyable decaf experience.
Onyx Coffee Lab Decaf Colombia Huila: Deliciously Decaffeinated
Looking for a delicious decaf coffee that
won't compromise on flavor? Look no further than Onyx Coffee Lab's Decaf
Colombia Huila. This delightful decaf impressed us with its vibrant burst of
berries, tangerine, and honey.
Roasted to a lighter level, this coffee
showcases its intricate flavor profile with a smooth, silky body. Despite its
lighter body, it boasts a pleasant sweetness that perfectly balances the
bright, fruity acidity.
While the specific decaf Colombia Huila we
tested may not be currently available, Onyx offers another decaf option that
you might enjoy.
Here's what makes this decaf stand out:
- Bright and Flavorful: Bursting with berries, tangerine, and honey notes.
- Lighter Roast: Highlights the coffee's complexity with a smooth, silky
body.
- Balanced Sweetness: Perfectly complements the bright, fruity acidity.
Looking for a Decaf Alternative? Onyx offers other decaf options to explore
and satisfy your coffee cravings.
Peace Coffee Roasters Morning Glory Blend: Rich and Velvety Dark
Roast
Calling all dark roast lovers! Peace Coffee Roasters' Morning
Glory Blend offers a delightful cup with a bittersweet edge. Packed with flavors
of walnut, milk chocolate, and dark caramel, this coffee is sure to satisfy
your taste buds.
But Morning Glory Blend isn't just about bold flavors. It boasts a
full and velvety body, creating a smooth and luxurious mouthfeel. This richness
perfectly complements the sweetness of the walnut, chocolate, and caramel
notes, making for a truly balanced and satisfying cup.
The Tests
How We Tested the Coffee: Unveiling the Beans' True Potential
To ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation, we
followed industry-standard practices for coffee cupping. Here's a breakdown of
our testing process:
Double-Blind Cupping:
- We employed a double-blind cupping method, the gold
standard in coffee tasting. This means neither the tasters nor the coffee
itself were identified, eliminating any preconceived notions.
- We strictly adhered to the Specialty Coffee Association's
Cupping Protocol, guaranteeing a consistent and professional
evaluation.
- Each coffee was meticulously assessed using the SCA
Cupping Form, where we scored aspects like flavor, acidity, body,
sweetness, and overall balance.
Drip Coffee Maker Test:
- To replicate a typical home brewing experience, we used a Ratio
Six Coffee Maker, a device recognized by the SCA for its ability to
produce exceptional home brews.
- Following the SCA's Gold Cup Ratios and brewing guidelines,
we ensured each coffee was brewed to its full potential.
- Just like the cupping, we meticulously evaluated each coffee
using the SCA Cupping Form, focusing on the same key
characteristics: flavor, acidity, body, sweetness, and balance.
By combining these two testing methods, we
were able to gain a comprehensive understanding of each coffee's unique
qualities, both as a standalone specialty brew and as a potential everyday cup
enjoyed at home.
