Decaf coffee beans (Photo by Thunderstock on Shutterstock)
For some of us, the siren song of a hot cup of coffee is undeniable. But what if that sweet, tempting melody keeps you bouncing off the walls at 2 a.m.? Fear not, fellow caffeine fiends! This guide will help you ditch the jitters and discover the delightful world of decaf coffee. Get ready to savor the rich, roasted flavor without the sleepless nights. With all the rage around this beloved beverage, coffee brewing is a serious business. We looked to 10 expert lists to learn about the best decaf coffee brands for when it’s time to brew a pot at home. We compile our lists by combing through existing consumer rankings and weeding out the top consensus recommendations. Let us know your favorite in the comments below!
1. Volcanica Coffee Company
Volcanica offers a fine coffee roast that is a bit pricey. This brand can be hard to find, but according to our sources, it could be worth seeking out. Homegrounds raves, “This family-run company provides high-quality coffee from volcanic regions. Volcanica is focused on exceptional quality, making frequent personal trips to farms and ensuring that they’re providing the best treatment for everyone involved, from the crop to your cup. The House Blend mixes 100% Arabica beans sourced from Central and South America.”
How is this stuff made? The Spruce Eats lays it all out: “As the name suggests, Volcanica Coffee Company uses the high elevations and rich soil of volcanic mountains to create delicious coffee. Its beans are sourced from countries all across the world, then roasted in Volcanica's home city of Atlanta, Georgia.”
According to Sip Coffee, “Volcanica Coffee is a Costa Rican-based roaster specializing in beans sourced from volcanic areas. Yeah, the name’s not a marketing ploy. Their beans are grown at high elevations, over 3,000 feet. These climates tend to be relatively cooler and have regular cloud moisture despite their elevation.”
2. Peet’s Coffee
Peet’s Coffee offers several well-reviewed decaffeinated blends. Among their most popular decaf offerings are Major Dickason’s Blend, French Roast, and Big Bang Decaf. Recipes.net says, “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.”
Without the caffeine, how does the flavor perform? Mashed explains, “Only Peet's stops its dark French roast from going over the [bitterness] edge by roasting the beans in brief bursts… Thanks to sultry cupping notes of chocolate, caramel, and smoke, this decaf offers no shortage of bite despite its lack of buzz.”
According to Serious Eats, “With big sweetness and a clean finish, Peet’s Big Bang Blend was our favorite dark roast. It had smoky flavors of cocoa powder, caramel, and praline, with a mild apple-like acidity that helped balance its full, round body.”
3. Kicking Horse
Kicking Horse is a premium roaster that has been operating for over 25 years. Their base of operations in the Canadian Rocky Mountains has given them access to great water to test their quality roasts. Restaurant Clicks says, “Kicking Horse Decaf Dark Roast Coffee is one of the best decaf coffees I have ever tried. It has a rich chocolate flavor and fantastic complexity. The coffee has a roasted hazelnut taste perfectly balanced with a finish that lingers on your tongue.”
This is a decaf blend that definitely doesn't skimp on flavor. Cuisine at Home adds, “With the Swiss Water Process, this whole bean decaf coffee guarantees a taste as deep, dark, and delightful as its caffeinated counterparts. The Kicking Horse Coffee Decaf is a top-notch blend that ensures every sip has a flavor and leaves you with a mellow finish.”
Sip Coffee writes: “Kicking Horse sells whole bean coffee, ground coffee, and cold brew. In addition to their single option for decaf coffee beans, they have a half-caf variety — named Half Ass (probably the younger brother to Kick Ass and Smart Ass blends).”
4. Jō Coffee
Jō Coffee offers the popular “No Fun Jo Decaf” blend. This blend is lauded for its complex flavor with fruit aromas. The Honest Consumer explains, “Crafted with care, this 100% Arabica blend undergoes the renowned Swiss Water Process, guaranteeing a chemical-free and gluten-free decaf experience.”
You can't go wrong with a cup of Jō. The Spruce Eats offers, “Dark roast lovers trying to ditch caffeine would be hard-pressed to find a better option than Jō Coffee. Its decaf blend combines notes of sweet blueberry and milk chocolate for a rich flavor you can’t resist.”
According to Mashed, “Since there's no caffeine in decaf, the least it can do is taste delicious. No Fun Jo Decaf from Jō Coffee is an Amazon bestseller and holds a 9.2 out of 10 rating on Best Views Reviews. We think that the superior taste likely has something to do with it.”
5. Lifeboost Decaf Coffee
Lifeboost states that they focus on specialty beans that brew low acid coffee, making their coffee blends appropriate for special dietary needs. They also promote responsible coffee production and consumption. Sip Coffee claims, “Lifeboost Coffee roasts pesticide-free, low-acid coffee. Their primary roasts are also certified organic, and the company is passionate about supporting sustainable farming and protecting wildlife and farmers.”
According to Homegrounds, “Lifeboost Coffee is a favorite brand at Homegrounds due to its commitment to making coffee as healthy as possible. All Lifeboost coffee is certified organic, low-acid, non-GMO, and tested free of mycotoxins and pesticides.”
For more on the scoop behind this brand, My Best writes: “This USDA-Certified Organic Medium Decaf by Lifeboost is whole-bean and made with medium-roasted Arabica beans. It has a mellow aroma with hints of almonds and maple syrup. The flavor itself is powerfully sweet.”
6. Seattle’s Best Coffee
Seattle’s Best Coffee is a well-reviewed mainstream coffee brand. “Made with premium beans that are roasted to perfection, this blend delivers a delicious cup of coffee that’s perfect for any time of day. The decaf beans used in Seattle’s Best Decaf Portside Blend are roasted to a medium-dark level to bring out their natural sweetness and create a smooth, well-rounded flavor,” according to Restaurant Clicks.
According to My Best, “Seattle's Best Coffee's Decaf is a ground coffee made with medium-roasted Arabica beans. As a black coffee, Seattle's Best gave off an aroma reminiscent of honey and dark chocolate, with a smoky accent. It is strong, full-bodied, and rich, despite being decaffeinated.”
Available at most major retailers, this brand is easy to access and typically sells at a lower price point. Mashed evaluates, “For a daily habit like drinking decaf, it's nice to get a good deal on it if you can. For those needing to stick to a tighter budget, we found Seattle's Best Decaf Portside Blend gives the biggest bang for your buck.”
7. The Original Donut Shop Coffee
This popular K-cup single brew pod is available at most major retailers. Mashed says, “The Original Donut Shop Coffee is already a staple in most offices and homes, so it comes as no surprise the brand's Decaf Coffee K-Cups are equally good. Like the original, it's a medium roast blend featuring ‘extra bold’ taste and eco-friendly packaging.”
Their distinctive teal branding makes it easy to spot on the shelf. The Spruce Eats adds, “Smooth and flavorful, The Original Donut Shop makes its decaf roast extra bold, packing in even more Arabica beans than in its regular coffee. And even though taste buds vary, and coffee preferences can be polarizing, this product has received widespread praise for being just as full-bodied as regular coffee.”
Recipes.net adds, “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.”
Sources used to create our list:
- Homegrounds
- The Spruce Eats
- My Best
- Recipes.net
- Mashed
- Serious Eats
- Restaurant Clicks
- Cuisine at Home
- Sip Coffee
- The Honest Consumer
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. EdNews is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
