A common misconception, and the main reason people are often unwilling to switch, is the taste of decaf. Often, it’d seem like the taste was a little off. However, this isn’t true anymore. Roasters have perfected their craft and now you get all the rich flavor you love in a cup of decaf coffee. Best of all, decaf now comes in all the flavors you love in regular coffee.
Just like with regular coffee, beans make all the difference. It’s not always easy to find quality decaffeinated coffee beans. In this guide, you’ll find information on coffee beans, get answers to your questions, and find out what consumers’ top choices are. By the time you’ve finished scrolling through this guide, you’ll be an expert on unground decaf coffee beans.
What to Look For
When you’re trying to choose a coffee bean there are a few things to look for. If you’re just switching over from caffeinated you’ll want to pay attention. The last thing you want is for your first cup of decaf to be your last.
- Flavor profile: The flavor profile refers to the coffee’s taste. This is influenced by the region it’s grown in. Typically, Latin America, Africa, and Indonesia/Pacific. You might want to avoid single bean decaf coffees. This is due to an occasional sour aftertaste. Look for a mix of unground decaf bean from different regions. When roasters blend a mix of bean that flavor is rich, full, and smooth.
- Price: You might notice the whole bean decaf coffee is priced higher than ground. There is a very good reason for this, it comes down to quality. It’s easier to hide imperfections with flavor and smell when the beans are already ground. When consumers grind the beans at home, they’ll notice any imperfection. To ensure customer satisfaction companies have to supply high-quality whole bean, and this results in a higher price.
- Decaffeination Process: It matters how the caffeine is removed from the bean. There are three primary methods used to decaffeinate beans. All use moistened green bean to make the caffeine soluble for removal at the same temperature but this is where the similarities end. The first is the natural Swiss water method. It uses only water to remove 94 – 96 percent of caffeine from the bean. The second uses a solvent, coffee oil, or ethyl acetate – a naturally occurring ester found in some fruits and vegetables. This method removes 96 – 97 percent of the bean’s caffeine. The third technique uses supercritical carbon dioxide. It is the most expensive method but also extracts 96 – 98 percent of the caffeine found in the coffee bean. The extraction method not only affects the caffeine amount, but also the cost of the unground bean.
- Appearance: Since you’re going to grind the bean it’s easy to think that appearance doesn’t matter, however, it is important. It often denotes freshness. Look for bean with an oily coating or residue. This oil-like substance seeps out of the bean during roasting and begins to evaporate once exposed to air. Older beans often won’t have the rich flavor and body you love. It is important to note that the Swiss water process leaves little oil behind so in this case check for the roasting date.
- Consumer Opinions: Not everyone has the same taste but you can still learn a lot about a product from fellow consumers. If you’re ready to try a new decaf bean or it’s your first time, reading through a product’s comment section and checking other reviews will give you a good idea of the coffee’s aroma and flavor.
A Few Interesting Statistics About Whole Decaf Coffee Beans
Whether you’re switching to decaf or are a longtime fan, it’s always fun to know a few statistics about the coffee bean. It might help you choose a new flavor or give you something to talk about at the next office party. Here are a few fun and interesting statistics about unground decaf coffee beans.
- Did you know that close to 6 billion pounds of coffee beans come from Brazil, with Vietnam close behind at over 3 billion pounds? Cited from Wikipedia. “List of countries by coffee production”.
- Only two U.S. states – Hawaii and California – grow coffee beans commercially. However, stateside grown coffee can cost over $8 for a single cup and the decaf beans are even higher. Cited from NPR “Eureka! California-Grown Coffee Is Becoming The State’s Next Gold Mine”.
- It might be surprising to learn that compared to The Netherlands that on average consume 2.414 cups of coffee (caffeinated/decaf) a day compared to Americans that don’t even drink a full cup at 0.931. Cited from The Atlantic. Here Are The Countries That Drink the Most Coffee- the U.S. Isn’t in the Top 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
As you’re switching to decaf you probably have questions other than what to look for in a coffee bean. Here are a few of the frequently asked questions along with the answers.
1. How do I grind the decaf beans?
You can use either a burr or blade grinder. If you want the beans ground into a consistent size, use a burr grinder.
2. Where and how should coffee beans be stored?
To preserve freshness always store whole bean away from heat, light, and moisture. You also want to keep air out so look for vacuum-sealed bags. If you buy extra beans, store them in the freezer in an airtight bag.
3. Do whole coffee beans have an expiration date?
Coffee aficionados, growers, and roasters agree that coffee beans are best when used within two weeks. Bulk beans can be stored in the freezer but should never be refrozen once thawed, it will affect how the coffee tastes.
The Top Choices
Flavor Profile: 5
Café Don Pablo uses award-winning Arabica beans from Columbia, Brazil, and Guatemala to give this low acidity decaf coffee a smooth finish with a hint of cocoa tone. While it is marketed as medium roast bean, it does have the full-body of a darker roast.
Price: 5
Considering that each bag comes with 5 lbs. of freshly roasted decaf coffee bean, it does come at an affordable price. The bag is also resealable so you can store the unused product in the freezer to retain freshness.
Decaffeination Process: 5
Café Don Pablo uses the Swiss water method to extract the caffeine from the green coffee bean. The advantage of this process is that no solvents are used. The downside is that this extraction method removes the least amount of caffeine, around 94 – 96 percent.
Appearance: 4
The beans are uniform in size, the only issue new decaf drinkers might have is the color. Since the Swiss water method is used during the extraction process it does leach some of the color out of the bean. The paler color is normal and does not affect flavor or aroma.
Consumer Opinion: 5
Overall, these decaf coffee beans from Café Don Pablo have positive customer reviews. Consumer opinion agrees that price and quality are excellent. The only mention by some is that they would prefer a darker roast over medium.
2. Lifeboost Coffee Organic Decaf
Flavor Profile: 4
These sun-dried Arabic beans are single-origin and grown in the Nicaraguan mountains. It has a low acidity level with a smooth, nutty flavor. New decaf drinkers might notice a slightly sour or bitter aftertaste. This is due to the single origin of the beans
Price: 3
The price is noticeably higher for 12 oz. of decaf coffee bean from Lifeboost. There is a reason for this. These beans are not only handpicked and carefully selected for each airtight sealed bag, the growers sustainably source the land and are part of the Fair Trade Agreement.
Decaffeination Process: 5
To ensure consumers get all the health benefits from decaf coffee, the Swiss water method naturally extracts all but 4 – 6 percent of the caffeine from the bean. To ensure that each package of bean is completely organic, only spring water is used during the extraction process.
Appearance: 4
The Swiss water method does remove some of the bean’ color but this won’t affect flavor. Since the beans are individually picked and selected, you can expect every bag of bean to be uniform in size and appearance.
Consumer Opinion: 4
Consumers agree that Lifeboost Coffee Organic Decaf is priced higher than some competitors. However, they also agree that the price is worth it considering it is responsibly grown and harvested. It also retains all the health benefits people expect when they switch to decaf.
Flavor Profile: 5
Kicking Horse dark roast decaf coffee has a deep, rich flavor and a mellow finish without any bitterness. Its blend of sustainably grown Central and South American beans give off hints of brown sugar, dark chocolate, roasted hazelnuts, and cacao nibs. It even tastes great as a cold brew.
Price: 4
Compared to some products, Kicking Horse Whole Decaf Beans comes at an affordable price, considering it is responsibly grown, Kosher, and comes with all the health benefits you want from a decaf coffee.
Decaffeination Process: 5
The Swiss water process is used to naturally separate the caffeine from the bean, leaving only 4 – 6 percent behind. No solvents or other types of chemicals are used during extraction, washing, or roasting.
Appearance: 4
As with all coffee beans that go through the Swiss water process, the color will leach out. Even though the beans are lighter than caffeinated ones, it doesn’t affect taste or aroma.
Consumer Opinion: 5
While the majority of dark roast coffee lovers approve of the flavor, they do mention the price. A 35.2 oz. bag is a little more expensive than some but it is certified organic, Kosher, and sustainably sourced.
Flavor Profile: 4
There’s plenty of flavor in No Fun Jo Decaf. The medium-dark roast bean have a rich, smooth flavor with subtle hints of milk chocolate and blueberry. To prevent a sour aftertaste the Arabica beans are a blend from Central and South American.
Price: 5
It’s hard for competitors to beat the price of these decaf coffee bean. The price also decreases when you purchase larger bags. Just store the extra bean in an airtight bag in your freezer until you’re ready to grind and brew them.
Decaffeination Process: 5
To maintain their certified organic standard No Fun Jo uses the Swiss water method to extract 94 – 96 percent of caffeine from the bean. Consumers simply get a fresh chemical -free coffee every time they brew a cup.
Appearance: 4
The beans are paler due to water being used to remove the majority of the caffeine. However, when it comes to size it’s uniform throughout the bag. You’ll find that it’s easier to get an even grind when the beans are similarly sized.
Consumer Opinion: 4
Consumer opinion is overwhelmingly positive when it comes to flavor, aroma, and price. The main drawback comes from dark roast lovers that would prefer a deeper color and bolder flavor.
Flavor Profile: 4
The blend of Honduran bean produces a smooth, rich medium-dark roast decaf coffee with hints of dark chocolate. The finish is velvety without any bitterness.
Price: 5
You have the option of purchasing a 2 or 5 lb. bag of whole organic decaf beans. Both are affordably priced but you will save money by purchasing the larger bag.
Decaffeination Process: 4
The Swiss water method extracts the caffeine from the bean. The process only uses water, no solvents, or chemicals.
Appearance: 4
The beans are paler than those with caffeine due to the natural caffeine extraction process. They are sized similarly for even grinding. Though, it has been noted that the beans are paler than some other medium-dark roast decaffeinated blends.
Consumer Opinion: 4
Overall, these decaf coffee bean have consumers’ approval. They enjoy the smooth non-acidic flavor and the affordable price. Some consumers do wish the flavor was more robust.
6. Lavazza Dek Whole Bean Decaffeinated Coffee Blend
Flavor Profile: 4
These dark roast South American blended espresso beans give you a smooth, rich, and creamy flavor with just the right hint of the bitterness you expect. You won’t get a jolt of caffeine but you will get the taste and aroma you’ve been missing since switching to decaf.
Price: 3
Compared to some competitors the cost of the 1.1 lb. bag is slightly higher. However, due to its smaller bag size storing the bean to preserve freshness doesn’t require a lot of room in the freezer.
Decaffeination Process: 4
The decaffeination method uses a natural process to extract the caffeine, while still retaining the rich flavor.
Appearance: 4
Due to the natural decaffeination process, the bean will look lighter in color than caffeinated espresso bean.
Consumer Opinion: 4
Blended and roasted in Italy, consumers agree that when it comes to decaf espresso bean this is close in flavor and aroma to the popular caffeinated beverage. The price is a little high, and it is recommended that the beans are used with an espresso machine. For some consumers, this can be an added expense.
7. Verna Street Arabica Decaf Coffee
Flavor Profile: 4
Medium roast coffee lovers will appreciate the rich and mellow flavor. It is a full-body coffee with blended beans from different regions to ensure there’s never a sour aftertaste.
Price: 3
You will pay a little more for a 2 lb. bag of whole decaf coffee beans. The higher price reflects its Kosher and Rainforest Alliance certifications.
Decaffeination Process: 4
Once the coffee beans are picked, the caffeine is extracted using the Swiss water method. This natural process removes up to 96 percent of the caffeine contained in the bean without leaving a better taste behind.
Appearance: 3
The beans are paler due to the natural extraction process. They’re also lacking in oils which can slightly alter the flavor making it less robust.
Consumer Opinion: 4
Medium-body coffee lovers appreciate the smooth, mellow, yet full-body taste. Other consumers have mentioned that it’s not robust enough for them. This also applies to the price. Those that like a mellower decaf feel that it’s a good bargain.
8. The Organic Coffee Company Hurricane Espresso Decaf
Flavor Profile: 3
This blend of dark roasted coffee beans produces a rich, smooth, full-bodied flavor without a bitter aftertaste. The blend of flavors from the different beans will ‘wake you’ up without the jitters the come with caffeine.
Price: 4
The 2 lb. bag of whole decaf coffee bean is priced comparably with most competitors. It is important to remember that this is certified organic decaf espresso beans that are also sustainably sourced.
Decaffeination Process: 4
To ensure its’ USDA organic certification, the caffeine is naturally extracted from the beans with the Swiss water method. This ensures plenty of flavor with very little caffeine, usually, only 4 – 6 percent remains in the beans.
Appearance: 3
While it is expected that naturally, decaffeinated coffee beans will be paler, this especially applies to dark roasted espresso beans. There is a noticeable difference in color. The beans are also lacking their natural oils which can subtly alter the flavor.
Consumer Opinion: 4
Consumers are slightly divided on the flavor. Some dark-roast coffee drinkers feel that the flavor is slightly watery. Others mention how convenient it is to have decaf espresso beans that can be used in almost any type of coffee maker. There’s no need to go out and buy an espresso machine.
Conclusion
Switching to decaf doesn’t mean that you’re giving up everything you love about coffee. You can still have great flavor at an affordable price. Best of all, you also get the health benefits associated with drinking decaf.
Now that you know what to look for in a whole decaf bean, and have an idea of what consumers think about some of the top brands, you’re ready to make the switch to decaf.