How Much Caffeine is in Decaf Coffee? All You Need to Know about Decaffeinated Coffee

Decaffeinated coffee has gained popularity among coffee drinkers. Its popularity is due to it being a great coffee alternative for those sensitive to coffee or those trying to reduce their coffee consumption. It is also the best alternative as it tastes, smells, and looks the same as regular coffee. 

Although decaf coffee has been stripped of its caffeine content, it is not caffeine-free but has a reduced amount of caffeine. To know more about what decaf coffee is, how it is made, how much caffeine is in a decaf cup of Joe, its possible side effects, and the different decaffeination processes, read along! 

What is Decaf Coffee?

Decaf coffee is the short form of decaffeinated coffee and is coffee that has been processed to remove at least 97% of its caffeine content.

For coffee to truly be decaffeinated, the caffeine content should have a maximum of 0.1 grams for every 100 grams of green beans. During the decaffeination process, additional chemicals are used to help in speeding up the process.

The additional chemicals we will discuss help minimize the loss of non caffeine compounds to preserve coffee's distinctive flavor, so you can still enjoy your decaf coffee like it is caffeinated.

Wondering if the decaffeination process is safe? Yes, it is! After the decaffeination process has taken place, the coffee beans are washed, steamed, and roasted at temperatures that ensure all the chemicals used evaporate.

The Decaffeination Methods Explained

There are several ways to remove caffeine from coffee beans. The most commonly used processes are the Swiss Water Process , Carbon Dioxide process, and using chemicals such as methylene chloride and ethyl acetate,

1. Swiss Water Process

In the Swiss Water Process of decaffeinating coffee, green coffee beans are soaked in hot water to dissolve the caffeine. Then caffeine is passed through a charcoal filter, which will be trapped in the filters as other flavor compounds pass through.

Caffeine is then flashed out with pure mountain water. The Swiss Water Process is a great decaffeination method that relies on osmosis to remove caffeine from green coffee beans.

2. Using Ethyl Acetate or Methylene Chloride Process

Another way to decaffeinate coffee is to dissolve caffeine content in beans by using ethyl acetate or methyl chloride. This process entails soaking green coffee beans in near-boiling water for about 10 hours.

Using Ethyl Acetate is considered a "natural" process because ethyl acetate occurs naturally in nature and helps ripen fruits such as apples. However, it is important to remember that other components, such as oils and other flavor elements, are extracted through this method.

3. Carbon Dioxide Process

To decaffeinate using the CO2 process, coffee is placed in a CO2 chamber where CO2 absorbs the caffeine in the beans. In this process, presoaked coffee beans are placed in an extraction vessel, and the extractor is filled with CO2 at a pressure of 1000 pounds per Square inch. Carbon dioxide acts as a solvent and dissolves the caffeine from the coffee beans. 

How Much Caffeine is in Decaf Coffee?

Depending on the brew method and coffee types, you may see a cup of decaf containing 2 to 3 mg of caffeine. This is much lower than 65 to 115 mg in caffeinated coffee because decaffeination removes 97% of caffeine.

A 236 ml cup of decaf coffee contains 7 mg of caffeine, while a regular cup of coffee contains 70-40 mg. The two examples show that decaf coffee contains some bit of caffeine as it is impossible to remove all caffeine from coffee beans without affecting their flavor and other components.

What about espresso? You may be wondering how much caffeine in decaf Starbucks espresso contains; well, 1 oz decaf espresso contains between 4 mg of caffeine per shot.

Decaf Coffee and Flavor

The decaffeination method directly impacts the taste and smell of your cup of Joe, and you may notice a color change, while the taste and smell may become milder.

After harvesting green coffee beans and drying the beans, decaffeinating coffee begins with soaking unroasted coffee beans in water and other chemicals.

Is Decaf Coffee Caffeine Free?

When you are trying to reduce your caffeine intake, it is worth asking if decaf coffee is caffeine free. Well, decaf coffee has 97% of its caffeine content stripped off. The result is a brew containing about 6 mg of caffeine for every 8oz serving.

Are you trying to avoid caffeine? If you have any concerns, it would be best to get your doctor's opinion on drinking decaf coffee. Also, the FDA recommends that adults limit methyl chloride concentration in decaf coffee to no more than 10 ppm (parts per million).

If under medication or have caffeine sensitivity, it may be best not to drink coffee and decaffeinated coffee blends.

What is the Difference Between Decaf and Regular Coffee?

The difference between decaf and regular coffee is that decaf has been stripped of the caffeine that makes up the majority of its content. While decaf coffee is still a very popular choice for those minimizing their caffeine intake, it's certainly not for everyone because decaffeinated coffee lacks the same robust flavor.

Caffeine is a stimulant that can be consumed in small amounts but is also highly addictive. People with trouble sleeping or other health problems may want to avoid caffeine altogether.

You may argue that caffeine in coffee helps improve alertness and energy levels. However, too much caffeine can cause side effects, such as anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. It is the reason why decaf coffee is recommended for pregnant women because they are vulnerable and need to watch their caffeine intake. So it is a safe and easy fix when the pregnancy cravings kick in. 

Is Decaf Coffee Good and Healthy for you?

Decaf coffee is anti-inflammatory, and to get the full benefits, it is important to limit sugar to prevent your coffee from being pro-inflammatory.

But, How much caffeine is in a cup of decaf coffee? Well, the type of coffee beans used to make your decaf coffee matters a lot. Robusta has more caffeine content and also contains high fat, which is linked to cholesterol. On the other hand, arabica has low caffeine content.

If you want lower caffeine content, you should only buy decaf coffee from 100% arabica beans since some manufacturers mix two or more coffee beans.

What Does Decaf Coffee Do? Benefits of Decaf Coffee

• Decaf coffee is perfect for when you are trying to ease a caffeine migraine because a small amount of caffeine will help stop that throbbing headache.

• Decaf coffee helps you when you are trying to wean yourself from caffeine consumption.

• Decaf coffee helps neutralize free radicals, thus reducing oxidative damage.

• Decaf coffee helps prevent Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart diseases.

• Decaf coffee also helps detoxify as it contains vitamin B-3, which cleanses your body.

• In addition, it helps improve memory, and cognitive alertness boosts your cognitive performance and protects your liver.

• The polyphenols found in the decaf coffee also help ward off the onset of dementia.

PS- Even though decaf coffee is considered safe, there are concerns about methylene chloride used in decaffeination. Methylene chloride used in decaffeination has been controversially linked to causing headache, confusion, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting when inhaled. However, decaffeinated coffee has generally been proven to be safe. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Decaf Coffee

Is decaf coffee considered a stimulant?

Decaf coffee has less caffeine content compared to regular coffee. Even though the caffeine content is low, you may still get a lower stimulation level. 

What are the negative side effects of too much Decaf coffee?

Decaf coffee may cause heart complications, cause acidity, interfere with iron absorption, cause headache and drowsiness and aggravate rheumatoid arthritis.

Is decaf coffee bad for you?

Decaffeinated coffee is safe for consumption, and you can take it as part of a healthy diet. No negative reports show decaf is bad for your health, but it might share some of the positive effects of regular coffee.

It is worth considering purchasing decaf coffee beans from all-natural water-processed decaf coffees.

Is there any difference between the amount of caffeine in different brands of decaf coffee?

Yes! The amount of caffeine can vary greatly from brand to brand. Some companies use only low-caffeine beans for their decafs, which means they'll have less caffeine content, while others may use higher-caffeine beans. It's best to look at the nutrition facts on the label before buying any decafs — especially if you're trying to avoid caffeine altogether.

How much decaf coffee should I drink in a day?

Drinking 400 mg of caffeine daily, roughly 4 to 5 cups per day, is safe. When taking decaf coffee, drinking one to three cups a day is safe so that you do not negate the benefits of moderate coffee consumption.

Can I use roasted coffee beans for the decaffeination process?

No. To properly decaffeinate coffee, green coffee beans work best to ensure caffeine dissolves from the coffee beans.

Is decaffeinated coffee good for the heart?

No finding has shown that decaffeinated coffee was bad for the heart. It is, therefore, safe to drink decaf coffee every day. However, you can contact your doctor if you have any health concerns.

Final Thoughts

The main reason why some people prefer decaf coffee over regular coffee is that it does not contain any negative side effects that are common with regular coffee. At the same time, you get to enjoy the good coffee flavor and taste that you love. The amount of caffeine in your decaf cup of Joe will depend on the coffee bean (Arabica or Robusta).

Another factor determining the amount of caffeine in your decaf coffee is the decaffeination process. Remember, all decaffeination processes don't guarantee your coffee will be 100% caffeine free.

While choosing a decaf coffee, ensure that you check the description to see how much caffeine is contained before purchasing it.

Check out Lifeboost Cofee Dark Roast Decaf . 

"Medical Disclaimer
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Charles Livingston nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program."