How to Successfully Switch to Decaf Coffee
If you have a caffeine sensitivity or simply want to consume less caffeine without giving up coffee, then switching to decaf coffee is the perfect solution for you! Decaf coffee is an excellent alternative to regular coffee without the jitters or poor sleep that caffeine may be causing you. However, making habits is difficult, so we built this short guide to help you switch to decaf coffee for the long haul.
What is Decaf Coffee?
Decaf coffee is the same as normal coffee, except that it has most of its caffeine removed. Although decaffeinated, decaf coffee still contains a minimal amount of caffeine (around 3 percent compared to regular coffee) as removing 100% of the caffeine is impossible. For example, a regular cup of coffee has about 95 milligrams of caffeine, while a cup of decaf coffee has around 2 milligrams of caffeine.
There are two main methods that produce decaf coffee: chemically or organically.
The chemical decaffeination process uses solvents to extract caffeine from coffee beans and was the first way that decaf coffee was made. However, this way of processing is no longer used because the chemical solvents are dangerous to our health. Instead, an organic decaffeination process is the new norm. A popular organic decaf process involves water and a difference in solution equilibrium to draw out caffeine. Because organic methods do not use chemicals, they’re a much safer and healthier alternative.
While decaf coffee is relatively new, it has exploded in popularity in recent decades. But who is it for? Should you switch to drinking decaf coffee?
Why Switch to Decaf?
There are several reasons why you may be considering switching to decaf coffee. A common reason is because of caffeine’s adverse side effects, including induced anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, and more. Another reason may be caffeine sensitivity, where people experience increased anxiety, faster heart rates, and restlessness.
While many people drink coffee for an energy boost, a lot of people drink coffee because they love the taste. However, some in the latter group may want to avoid caffeine for a reason mentioned previously. Decaffeinated coffee solves this problem and is an excellent alternative to regular coffee. Decaf coffee tastes just as good, without the caffeine.
Is Decaf Coffee Better For You?
Whether decaf coffee is healthy for you or not, depends on your health and medical history. Someone with severe caffeine sensitivity may not find decaf coffee healthy, as it still contains trace amounts of caffeine. However, decaf coffee is healthy for most people with caffeine sensitivity or people who are looking to cut out caffeine. Decaf coffee contains the antioxidants that regular coffee has, and still provides all of the nutrient benefits.
How to Switch to Decaf Coffee
If you’re looking to switch to decaf coffee, here are some steps to make the process easy:
Understand How Much Coffee You Drink
First, find out how much coffee you consume on a daily or weekly basis. You can keep track of this either in a notebook or a note app, as long as you track this information somewhere so you can reference it later. Research what a healthy serving of coffee is per day and compare it to your daily coffee intake. While every person reacts to caffeine differently, this is a good place to start.
Start Small
Then, start introducing decaf coffee in small doses. Change is more consistent in small adjustments, and it’s better to change your habits gradually than to make a dramatic and sudden switch. You can swap out one coffee drink, then two, three, and so on. This will make it as easy as possible for you to stick with it!
Find Decaf Coffee You Actually Like
As you're dipping your toes into the decaf coffee realm, it’s important to get great coffee that suits your taste profile so you won’t miss out on flavor! We recommend our Swiss water-processed decaf coffee beans for a flavorful and rich-tasting cup of decaf coffee. Enjoy the taste of sweet and chocolatey coffee without worrying about the caffeine! Here are some specific recommendations based on preference:
- Guatemala After Sunset MWP Decaf Coffee: This coffee will take you on a smooth journey with an orange twist and a finish of brown sugar. It is shade grown under guava, plantain, and banana trees through a farm that promotes sustainable agriculture.
- Decaf Blend Coffee: Sweet and chocolatey, perfect for your morning cup of joe, and pairs well with milk.
- Peru SWP Decaf Coffee: Sweet and silky, with notes of brown sugar. Cooperativa de Servicios Multiples Sol y Café Ltda (Coop Sol y Café) produces this coffee. They have a clear and strong mission to improve farming communities and the environment through better agronomic and economic decisions.
- Indonesia SWP Decaf Coffee: This coffee is full-bodied, earthy, and rich with a tangy finish. Its unique hulling process makes it taste extra clean and accentuates its spicy, bright notes while downplaying the earthiness in the cup.
- Mexico SWP Decaf Coffee: This coffee has notes of orange, milk chocolate, and brown sugar. It comes from the Chiapas region of Mexico.
Conclusion
Decaf coffee is a flavorful alternative to regular caffeinated coffee. Almost all caffeine is removed from the coffee beans, resulting in a flavorful cup of joe that caffeine-sensitive drinkers can enjoy. While decaf coffee is healthy for most people, it’s a case-by-case determination. To switch to decaf coffee, we recommend reflecting on your coffee consumption and changing habits slowly to ensure the habit stays.
You can find great-tasting organic and single-origin decaf coffee right here at Bean & Bean. We hope our article helps you sustainably switch to decaf coffee!