12 Best Decaf Coffee Brands To Buy In 2022

12 Best Decaf Coffee Brands To Buy In 2022

We all love coffee, from its unmistakable caffeine kick to the beautiful swirls of crema on top; it gives the spark to get us through the day. However, as much as we enjoy the caffeine rush brought about by amazingly strong Brazilian coffee, caffeine is not for everybody. Fortunately, there’s something that can be a good compromise. Enter the best decaf coffee there is!

Decaffeinated coffee, simply put, is the result when the caffeine in coffee beans is removed before the roasting and grinding process. Touching on the decaf vs regular coffee comparison, the only difference between these two is their caffeine content.

As there are plenty of options available on the market, you may be left wondering: what is the best decaf coffee? Well, wonder no more as we have collated our 12 favorite decaf coffee brands for you, all backed with in-depth reviews. Plus, a handy guide to help you choose a good coffee for better mornings.

Perk up your daily coffee routine with these 10 Must-Have Coffee Percolators for Coffee Lovers. 

Our Favorite Decaf Coffee Brands At A Glance

12 Best Decaf Coffee Options for Coffee Lovers

Below are the best decaf coffee brands, ranging from light roast to dark roast, organic to instant, and more. Options also include decaffeinated coffee beans, grinds, and blends. 

During the selection process, we factored in the source of origin of the coffee beans, the decaffeination process, tasting notes, and roast types. Read through our thorough reviews to help you gauge which is the best tasting decaf coffee to buy this year!

Want to elevate your coffee experience? Here are 15 Ways To Take Your Morning Coffee To The Next Level.

1. Best Overall: Kicking Horse Decaf Coffee

What We Love

  • Strong flavors
  • Swiss water process
  • Certified organic, fair-trade, and Kosher

What We Don't Love

  • A bit expensive

A cup of bold, strong coffee is all we want first thing in the morning. And this Kicking Horse Coffee, even without that spark of caffeine, definitely fits the bill.

Sourced from Central and South America, their beans, which are 100 percent Arabica beans, are certified organic, fair-trade, and Kosher. These premium beans are dark-roasted in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. As they have undergone the Swiss Water process, these beans still have the flavor characteristics of the coffee beans. The result is a great-tasting coffee with notes of roasted hazelnuts and chocolate, leaving a delicious aftertaste in your mouth.

This decaffeinated coffee is great in French press and pour-over or drip coffee machines with deep flavors and a light finish. It’ll also be delicious in espresso and cold brew. Additionally, you can purchase this decaffeinated coffee in supermarkets and online stores. Although, note that it may be a little more expensive than a standard grocery-store brand.

2. Best Coffee Beans: Eight O’Clock Whole Bean Coffee

What We Love

  • Features sweet and fruity notes with a full-bodied finish
  • Affordable

What We Don't Love

  • Beans aren’t oily

The Eight O’Clock Whole Bean Coffee is the best decaf coffee beans that you can get on Amazon today. Considering the beans are sourced from various top coffee-producing regions, you can expect this coffee to be just as tasty!

This whole bean decaffeinated coffee makes use of 100 percent Arabica beans, ensuring exceptional quality and smooth taste. This decaffeinated coffee is medium-roasted at the coffee company’s facility in Maryland, USA. And the blend surprisingly gives off sweet, fruity, and winey notes with a full-bodied finish, almost akin to the brand’s original blend minus the caffeine content.

The beans are Kosher-certified and are decaffeinated using the solvent process. Furthermore, the Eight O’clock coffee company provides a quality everyday brew, all at an affordable price. A good choice to elevate your mornings, this coffee fills the room with a pleasing aroma as well.

3. Best Ground Coffee: Starbucks Decaf Ground Coffee

What We Love

  • Delicious tasting notes
  • Makes use of 100% Arabica beans

What We Don't Love

  • A bit pricey

Savor a café-like coffee in the comfort of your own home with the best decaf ground coffee from Starbucks! The popular brand introduced to the market a delicious decaffeinated equivalent of their classic Café Verona. And interestingly so, it tastes just as flavorful as their other classic roasts.

This decaffeinated ground coffee is made with 100% Arabica beans from different regions, resulting in a distinct blend of palates. The aroma, acidity, body, and flavor of each coffee bean are at their zenith, although processed using solvents to turn it decaf. A dark roast blend with notes of sweetness and dark cocoa, you’ll get to enjoy a delish cup of coffee every time (minus the jitters, of course.) For more delicious results, make use of cold, filtered water. Also, keep in mind to store this ground coffee in a cool, dark place to preserve its flavor.

4. Best Organic: NO FUN JO Organic Decaf Coffee

What We Love

  • Organic
  • Non-GMO, USDA organic and fair trade certified
  • Swiss water process

What We Don't Love

  • A bit pricey

Trying to live an organic lifestyle? Luckily for you, the Jo coffee brand is all about providing coffeeholics a healthier and organic option! So, elevate your coffee rituals with one of the best organic coffee brands!

Truly farmer and environment-friendly, this decaffeinated coffee is non-GMO, USDA organic, and fair trade certified. Plus, it contains a very low amount of acid. As such, it may be the best organic decaf coffee without chemicals for those looking for a healthier and more sustainable drink option.

And despite its name, you’re sure to enjoy this organic coffee, given that it’s roasted carefully for superb taste. It has a combination of sweet fruity notes along with milk chocolate flavor, pleasing your taste buds at every sip. Add to that, having undergone a Swiss water process, this coffee still has the natural flavor of the coffee beans.

5. Best Decaf Cold Brew: Java House Cold Brew Decaf

What We Love

  • Has bold coffee flavors
  • Convenient
  • 100% Arabica beans

What We Don't Love

  • A bit difficult to peel open

Looking for the best decaf coffee for cold brew? Look no further than Java House’s Cold Brew Decaf Coffee Concentrate Pods! This coffee brand lets you enjoy a cold brew, with none of the caffeine you’re trying to avoid.

Made exclusively with Arabica beans, this decaffeinated coffee is overflowing with bold coffee flavors. So, you can expect a smooth and well-balanced coffee after twelve hours of steeping. Offering convenience, you can also enjoy its deliciousness any time by simply pouring it into hot or iced water, or with your pod brewing machine.

Relish the robustness of these decaffeinated coffee pods using the Best Nespresso Machine.

6. Best Dark Roast: Peet’s Coffee Decaf Major Dickason’s Blend

What We Love

  • Strong, bold flavor
  • Kosher-certified
  • Has ground and whole bean options

What We Don't Love

  • Expensive

There’s a vast array of dark roast decaf coffee to choose from. Despite that, Major Dickason’s Blend from Peet’s Coffee is arguably at the top of the heap. Almost akin to the original Major D’s offering, this decaffeinated version is crafted with the same premium beans – just minus the caffeine!

This Peet decaffeinated coffee features the world’s best coffee beans, giving off the brand’s signature bold taste. Plus, the beans are hand-roasted in small batches, ensuring an incomparable flavor as well as freshness. An extremely dark roast java, the Major Dickason’s Blend is also certified Kosher. You can also choose between ground and whole bean varieties. Although, with its impeccable taste and origin, this coffee is a bit expensive.

7. Best Medium Roast: Verena Street Decaf Coffee

What We Love

  • Swiss Water Process
  • Kosher-certified by the Orthodox Union

What We Don't Love

  • Quite dark in flavor

If you love coffee as much as we do, but are trying to limit your caffeine intake, then consider Verena Street’s decaffeinated coffee! It’s a  medium roast with a rich yet mellow flavor that’s bordering on the darker range.

Sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, this decaffeinated coffee promotes sustainability. As it is decaffeinated using the Swiss Water process, you will notice, at each sip, a full-bodied flavor and aroma. You can also expect incredible freshness and consistent flavor from this coffee, given that it’s roasted in small batches in Dubuque, Iowa. To add, it’s also Kosher Certified by the Jewish organization, the Orthodox Union.

8. Best Light Roast: Lion Decaf Coffee Light Roast

What We Love

  • Swiss Water Processed
  • Delicious blend
  • Makes use of Arabica beans

What We Don't Love

  • Not available in larger bags

A flavored coffee blend, Lion Decaf Vanilla Macadamia Nut Coffee is lightly roasted and brimming with smooth flavors. You will notice a profound vanilla flavor, complemented by an underlying macadamia nut.

And when it comes to the beans, you will be glad to know that premium Arabica beans are thoroughly hand-picked and roasted. Furthermore, this coffee brand also utilizes the Swiss Water process to create a delish decaf blend while retaining the beans’ natural taste. The result is an exquisite-tasting decaffeinated coffee!

9. Best Instant: Mount Hagen Organic Freeze Dried Instant Decaf Coffee

What We Love

  • Organic
  • Fair-trade certified
  • Convenient
  • Coffee that’s 99.99% caffeine-free

What We Don't Love

  • Can be a bit bitter for some

A cup of java that’s quick, easy, and delicious is what you need in your hectic daily routines. So, having the best tasting instant decaf coffee is probably the most convenient option for you. In that category, Mount Hagen coffee ticks all the boxes.

Their beans, which are sourced from Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Honduras, have a distinct flavor profile. At the first sip, you will notice a blend of the fruity and nutty palate, with underlying hints of spice. This gives the impression of a well-balanced medium roast coffee with a strong flavor but without the bitter aftertaste. To add, Mount Hagen Decaf Instant Coffee is organic and fair trade. The brand also claims that 99.99% of caffeine is removed from the beans during the decaffeination process.

10. Best Decaf K-Cup: The Original Donut Shop Decaf, Single-Serve Keurig K-Cup Pods

What We Love

  • Swiss Water Processed
  • Fair-trade certified
  • Kosher

What We Don't Love

  • Pricey

Creating a well-balanced medium roast decaffeinated coffee alone is already challenging. Yet the Donut Shop managed to pull it off by manufacturing a great-tasting decaf K-cup! Delivering tasty, quick cups of premium coffee, this product is the best decaf k-cup coffee available today.

Each K-Cup pod is carefully made with Arabica ground coffee. It also features a well-balanced flavor profile. It’s also bold enough to give you a boost, just minus the caffeine. This medium roast java is also Kosher-certified by Orthodox Union. So, you can rest assured that there are no artificial ingredients added.

Learn more about Keurig machines in this Keurig K Duo Review: Easy Coffee Maker For Your Morning Coffee.

11. Best Flavored Decaf Coffee: Volcanica Costa Rica Decaf Tarrazu Decaf Coffee

What We Love

  • Swiss Water Process
  • Fair-trade certified
  • Full-bodied and smooth flavor

What We Don't Love

  • A bit pricey

This single-origin coffee from the Volcanica brand is a sure-fire way to kickstart your day. Full-bodied and smooth, this particular coffee is the best decaf coffee flavor there is! You will instantly love the subtle chocolate flavor with notes of crisp, toasted apple.

To add, the beans are sourced from the southern mountainous region of San Jose. They’re naturally processed, removing the caffeine, all while preserving the distinct origin characteristics of this Costa Rican coffee. Off the bat, you will be enjoying a full-bodied cup of java with a lively finish.

12. Best Budget-friendly: Seattle’s Best Coffee Decaf Portside Blend

What We Love

  • Arabica beans
  • Flavorful blend

What We Don't Love

  • Not available in larger bags

A seemingly perfect blend of rich, smooth taste and bold flavor, Seattle’s Best’s Coffee Decaf Portside Blend lets you enjoy an icy and flavorful cup at an affordable price. The 100 percent Arabica beans, sourced exclusively from Latin America, have undergone a rigorous process that fully develops their flavor and makes them suitable for cold brews. Still, if you’re looking for a wonderful cup to start your day, this medium roast coffee is a good option. And for the best drinking experience, use cold and filtered water.

How to Choose the Best Decaf Coffee

cup of coffee

To relish the aroma and deliciousness of java minus the jitters, most people turn to decaffeinated coffee. Now, the question is: what brand of decaf coffee is best? After all, we all still want something that tastes like the real thing.

However, shopping for the best decaf coffee brand might leave you confused, considering there are lots of choices both in physical and online stores. So, here are some key factors you need to consider first:

Decaffeination Process

Before making a final purchase decision, it pays to know how to decaffeinate coffee. There are four different decaffeinating methods. Although, some of these processes are almost similar to one another.

The indirect-solvent process makes use of methylene chloride to eliminate the caffeine in coffee beans. Meanwhile, ethyl acetate is the primary compound used to extract caffeine in the direct-solvent method. The most common procedure is the Swiss water process, also known as Swiss water decaf. In this natural process, coffee beans are dipped in near-boiling water to remove the caffeine content from the coffee beans. The newest method is the carbon dioxide process, which is ideal for decaffeinating larger quantities of coffee. During this method, coffee beans are soaked in water and then placed in a stainless steel extractor to remove the caffeine.

Roast Level and Tasting Notes

When shopping for a good decaf coffee, you also have to consider which type of roast you prefer. Not forgetting, the tasting notes that can come close to the real deal. Decaffeinated beans react differently during the roasting process than regular beans.

Now, if you want a decaf that tastes like a full-bodied regular joe, choose the darker roasts. Dark roasts or also known as French roast has a dark brown to black color. It also has deeper tasting notes. Meanwhile, lighter roasts get much of their flavor from the original bean. Meaning, it preserves more of the coffee’s natural flavors and highlights the beans’ natural acidity, mellow body, and bright floral or fruit flavors. Medium roasts are brown and incorporate toasty, caramelized tasting notes, providing a much more balanced cup of coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Decaf Coffee Still Have Caffeine?

Though it has undergone a process to extract caffeine from the beans, decaffeinated coffee isn’t completely caffeine-free. In most cases, only at least 97 percent of caffeine is removed from the coffee beans.

What Are The Benefits Of Decaf Coffee?

Is decaf coffee bad for you? Although decaffeinated coffee has had a bad rap, it’s just like regular coffee, minus the caffeine. That being so, it’s also loaded with health benefits found in regular coffee. Decaf is rich in antioxidants that help the body fight off free radicals. Not to mention, it also contains other beneficial nutrients. This makes it the perfect alternative for those who want caffeine out of their system but simply can’t quit.

However, for pregnant women, consuming too much decaf coffee may pose risks. In fact, drinking more than 200 milligrams of caffeine can lead to miscarriages, low birth weight, and other issues. Though decaffeinated, this coffee drink contains 2 to 15 milligrams of caffeine per cup. So, it’s best that you still take a few precautions when drinking decaffeinated coffee, most especially during pregnancy. Just be careful not to drink more than what’s recommended by your health care provider.

Share your thoughts on the best decaf coffee brands to buy in 2022 in the Ingredients Spotlight forum section.

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S.A. Yanes

S.A. Yanes is a fiction writer, poet, book blogger, and content editor. At Recipes.net, she writes food ingredient guides, product reviews, and more. Prior to that, she has worked in a publishing house and was the brand manager of an up-and-coming writing and reading online platform. She has written numerous short fictions as well as engaging bible stories for children. She's also a certified foodie with an immense love for anything cheesy and chocolatey.