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Decaf Coffee Guide
How to Make a Decaf Coffee That Actually Tastes Like Coffee
Oct
I drink coffee every day, but there is just one rule set by my body…and that’s unfortunately no coffee after 4pm. If I have coffee too late in the afternoon, I already know what is coming. I’ll be lying in bed that night, completely awake, wondering why I thought that 5pm coffee was a good idea. But there is actually a positive side to it. When I can’t sleep, I often end up sitting up in bed with my laptop, and that’s when I get some of my best ideas. Sometimes it’s a blog post, sometimes a newsletter idea, and sometimes a completely new product idea that I suddenly have to write down. But as much as I love those late-night bursts of inspiration, I would still really like to enjoy an afternoon coffee without paying for it at bedtime. That’s why I have always been on the search for a good decaf alternative.
Can Decaf Coffee Taste Good…
Personally, I don’t know about you as everyone’s taste preference is different, I really don’t like that strange chemical or overly processed taste that most decaf coffees have. I want my decaf to still taste like proper coffee. Rich, aromatic, full of flavour and enjoyable to drink, just without the caffeine. Now, I know decaf will never taste exactly the same as regular coffee. The process of removing caffeine does change the coffee to some degree. I want a decaf that gets as close as possible to the coffee I actually enjoy drinking. Something that still gives me that satisfying coffee experience. So, if you’ve ever wondered how to make a decaf coffee that actually tastes good, this blog is for you. There are a few things worth knowing when it comes to making decaf coffee. Starting with how the caffeine is removed in the first place.
Decaffeinating Coffee Naturally
So how is coffee decaffeinated naturally? Well, when we talk about naturally or solvent-free decaffeination, it doesn’t mean that the caffeine simply disappears from the coffee bean. The caffeine still needs to be removed, but there are processes that use water and filtration rather than traditional chemical solvents. The decaffeination process happens while the coffee beans are still green, before they are roasted. Below are two methods used to decaffeinate coffee naturally.
1. Swiss Water Decaffeination Process
The Swiss Water Process is one of the best-known solvent-free methods of decaffeination. It’s when the green coffee beans are exposed to water, which helps draw out caffeine and other soluble compounds. Through a controlled process, the caffeine is removed through filtration while many of the coffee’s flavour compounds are retained. The result is coffee that can retain much of the character you would expect from a good coffee bean, without the caffeine level of regular coffee.
This is the process used for our Nutty Lover Decaf.
2. Natural Washed Decaf
Another approach uses a washing process to remove caffeine from the coffee while aiming to preserve as much of the bean’s natural character as possible.
3. Growing Coffee That Naturally Contains Less Caffeine
There is another fascinating approach to creating low-caffeine coffee. Instead of removing caffeine from the coffee bean after it has been grown, the plant itself produces coffee fruits that naturally contain less caffeine.
There are already coffee varieties that naturally contain significantly less caffeine than conventional Arabica. The challenge is availability. These varieties are still relatively rare, produce lower yields and can be more difficult to grow, which makes them considerably more expensive than conventional coffee.
So, while naturally low-caffeine coffee is already available, it remains a small and specialised part of the coffee market. In some cases, these naturally low-caffeine coffees can also be further processed using one of the two decaffeination methods described above. Our Organic Thai Decaf uses this approach, combining naturally lower-caffeine coffee with a gentle decaffeination process to achieve a coffee that is naturally low in caffeine while still preserving its character and flavour.
The Important Thing To Remember
Is that decaf doesn’t mean completely caffeine-free. Decaffeinated coffee still contains a small amount of caffeine. The goal is to remove most of it while keeping the flavour and character of the coffee. And for me, that is the important part. I don’t expect decaf to taste exactly like regular coffee. I just want it to taste like good coffee.
Choosing the Right Roast for Decaf
The roast level can make a big difference to how your decaf tastes. The decaffeination process changes the structure of the green coffee bean slightly, so decaf can behave differently during roasting and brewing compared with regular coffee.
Medium Roast
Medium roast decaf can highlight more of the coffee’s natural character. You may notice more distinct flavour notes, sweetness and acidity, depending on the origin and coffee itself. This can be a good choice if you normally enjoy lighter or more flavour-driven coffees.
Medium-Dark Roast
Medium-dark is a great middle ground. It gives you more body and richness while still allowing some of the coffee’s natural character to come through. If you’re used to drinking a regular medium or medium-dark coffee, this is probably where I would start.
Dark Roast
Dark roast decaf gives you a bolder, more traditional coffee profile. Think deeper roasted flavours, chocolate, nuts and a fuller body. If you normally enjoy a strong morning coffee, a darker decaf may feel more familiar.
A Few Tips for Making Better Decaf Coffee
1. Grind Fresh
If you have a grinder, use it. Freshly ground coffee will almost always give you a more aromatic and enjoyable cup than coffee that has been sitting around after grinding. Decaf is no exception. Grind your beans just before brewing whenever possible.
2. Don’t Over-Extract
One thing to watch with decaf is bitterness. If your coffee tastes harsh, dry or bitter, try making the grind slightly coarser or reducing the brewing time. You don’t necessarily need to use less coffee. Small adjustments can make a surprisingly big difference.
3. Use Good Water
Coffee is mostly water, so the quality of your water matters. Filtered water can help bring out the coffee’s natural flavours and avoid unwanted flavours from the water itself. Especially with decaf, you want to give the coffee a chance to show what it can do.
4. Store Your Beans Properly
Keep your coffee in an airtight container and away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight. And don’t grind the entire bag at once. Keep the beans whole and grind only what you need.
How To Make A Decaf Coffee At Home
The good news is that you don’t need a special brewing method just because you’re drinking decaf. Whether you love a slow pour-over in the morning, a French press on the weekend, a strong moka pot coffee or a quick espresso, you can make a really good cup with decaf.
The key is to start with fresh roasted decaf coffee and then adjust the grind, ratio and brewing time to suit your method. Here is a simple starting point for each brewing method:
Brewing Method | Coffee | Water | Grind | Approx. Brew Time | What to Expect |
Pour-over | 18g | 300ml | Medium-fine | 2.5–3 min | Clean, balanced and aromatic |
French Press | 20g | 300ml | Coarse | 4 min | Full-bodied and smooth |
Moka Pot | 18–20g | Fill to below valve | Medium-fine | 4–5 min | Rich, bold and intense |
AeroPress | 15–17g | 200–240ml | Medium-fine | 1.5–2 min | Smooth, clean and quick |
Espresso Machine | 18g | ~36g espresso | Fine | 25–30 sec | Concentrated and rich |
Why Does My Decaf Taste Bitter or Watery?
So you bought a good decaf, brewed it at home and somehow ended up with a cup that tastes either bitter, watery or just… not very exciting. Don’t give up on your decaf just yet. There are a few simple things that can affect the final cup. And you usually don’t need to change everything at once. Make one small adjustment and see what happens.
The Possible Problem | What to Try | |
Bitter or harsh | The coffee may be over-extracted | Try a slightly coarser grind or reduce the brewing time |
Watery or weak | Your coffee may be under-extracted or the ratio is too low | Use a little more coffee or grind slightly finer |
Sour or sharp | Your coffee may be under-extracted | Try a slightly finer grind or increase the brewing time |
Dry or astringent | The coffee may have been over-extracted | Adjust to a coarser grind or reduce the brew time |
Flat or dull | It could be that the coffee may not be fresh | Use freshly roasted beans and grind just before brewing |
Papery | Coffee filter may not have been rinsed | Rinse your paper filter with hot water before brewing |
Too strong | Coffee-to-water ratio may be too high | Add a little more water or use slightly less coffee |
Too weak | Coffee-to-water ratio may be too low | Use a little more coffee or reduce the amount of water |
This is something I always recommend when adjusting your coffee. If your cup tastes bitter, don’t suddenly change the coffee, water, grind size and brewing time all at once. Start with one small adjustment.
If you are wondering how to make a decaf coffee that actually tastes like coffee, start with the beans. Look at how the coffee was decaffeinated, choose a roast that suits your taste and then pay attention to your grind, water and coffee-to-water ratio. The goal isn’t to follow a recipe perfectly. The goal is to make a cup you actually enjoy. ☕️