Coffee has been a go-to choice for many people when they need a pick-me-up or simply because they enjoy the taste.
Trying out the best decaf cold brew coffee can be a life-changer if you can't consume regular coffee due to health reasons or…uncomfortable consequences like pooping. 💩
Cold brew is known for its lower acidity and decaf cold brew means even less caffeine.
The 5 Best Decaf Cold Brew Coffee Brands
Instead of using hot water to brew coffee, Cold Brew involves steeping the coffee beans in cold water for an extended period of time, typically 12-24 hours.
Here is a list of the best decaf cold brew coffee for you to enjoy. 👇
1. Peet’s Decaf Big Bang Cold Brew
Best decaf cold brew coffee beans
Peet’s Coffee Big Bang Decaf use the Swiss Water decaffeination process to extract their signature blended coffee.
Their medium roast beans are from Africa, Arabia, and the Americas that produce a vibrant and smooth taste, perfect for cold brew.
Others might prefer other dark roasts offered by Peet’s Coffee, like Major Dickason’s Blend, House Blend, and Mocca Java, all with decaf variants as well.
However, the feedback from customers varies from flavor to flavor.
Pros:
- Medium roast assures low acidity but full flavor
- Swiss Water process means coffee beans followed a natural decaffeination process
- Has different decaf flavors (French roast, house blend, mocha-java)
Cons:
- Flavor can be inconsistent, some flavors have better reviews than others
2. Bizzy Cold Brew Coarse Ground Coffee
Best decaf coarse ground cold brew coffee
Bizzy Cold Brew might be the best decaf cold brew ground coffee for you if you don’t have your own coffee grinder at home.
The company brags about the micro-sifting the coffee goes through.
📢Fact:
Baristas started removing the tiny grinds with the most surface area called "fines" to reduce the astringency in the final cup.
Some coffee geeks, particularly baristas, started sifting their coffee grinds as a secret weapon to up their brewing game. It made their coffees taste sweeter, less bitter, and more flavorful with a clean finish. Cool, right?
The uniformly-sized coarse grounds produce coffee with a toasted, cocoa aroma and a smooth nutty chocolate flavor.
Bizzy’s decaf cold brew coarse grounds are made from medium roast Arabica beans. And they’re naturally decaffeinated using the Swiss water process which is a nod to flavor.
Pros:
- Micro-sifted coarse grounds perfect for cold brew
- Decaffeinated with a water process
- Nutty chocolatey aroma and flavor
Cons:
- The flavor might be on the weaker side if not brewed properly
- Can be a bit pricey
3. Java House Decaf Cold Brew Coffee Pods
Best decaf cold brew coffee pods
The benefit of Java House cold brew decaf coffee k cups is in the convenience it provides.
It’s a way for a lot of us to experience the best of both worlds. We get to enjoy “professional” tasting coffee minus the tamping and cleaning up the messy coffee grounds.
Java House decaf cold brew coffee pods have a balanced chocolate and caramel flavor. It’s produced with medium roast beans that are traditionally decaffeinated using a water process.
Java House decaf only has 5-15 mg of caffeine. Unfortunately, this option may be a bit lacking when it comes to aromatics.
Pros:
- Coffee pods are easy and convenient to use
- Traditionally decaffeinated
Cons:
- A bit too expensive for its quantity
- Not that aromatic
4. Stack Street organic decaf cold brew coffee
Best organic decaf cold brew coffee
Stack Street is a great option for you if you are looking for organic decaf cold brew coffee.
Stack Street Decaf Cold Brew is a USDA-certified organic. And although it is decaffeinated, it is able to maintain flavor because it is made with 100% Arabica Colombia Supremo beans.
Not to mention it is decaffeinated using the Swiss Water process. This coarsely-ground dark roast coffee is quite flavorful and almost indistinguishable from the usual coffee.
The single-origin pretty much makes this one of the fancier choices in this list.
Though the grounds may be more of a medium than coarse which could make a bit of a mess with your French Press. And if you aren’t careful it could also end up over-extracted.
Pros:
- USDA-certified organic
- Decaffeinated using the Swiss Water process
Cons:
- Grounds may be more of a medium than coarse
- Can be a bit pricey
5. Javy Decaf Cold Brew & Iced Coffee Concentrate
Best instant cold brew decaf coffee
Javy Decaf Cold Brew claims to sell high-quality 100% Arabica coffee beans that are meticulously roasted, crushed, and infused with pure water.
Javy Decaf Cold Brew boasts that their coffee concentrate is quick, versatile, and super easy to use.
You simply pour 1-2 teaspoons of the concentrate into water or milk is all it takes to have coffee ready to go in seconds. This option is great for days when you are in a hurry.
You don’t have to worry about coffee grounds, mess, preparation, or brewing equipment needed. Just pour, mix, and drink.
The decaffeination process for this instant cold brew decaf coffee is done using the Swiss Water Process method.
Furthermore, all coffee beans are sourced from small reliable farmers to ensure only organic ingredients are used. It is also free from additives, sugars, or harmful chemicals.
Storage and consumption instructions advise storing the decaf coffee concentrate in the refrigerator after opening and using it within 4-6 weeks. Each bottle containing up to 30 servings is a convenient alternative to decaf instant coffee.
Pros:
- Organic, 100% Arabica dark roast beans
- Decaffeinated using the Swiss water process
- Easy to prepare
Cons:
- A more expensive option
How to Buy the Best Cold Brew Decaf Coffee
When buying coffee, there are a few things to consider, even more so when picking out a good decaf brand for cold brew.
Decaffeination Process
Decaf coffee has always had a bit of a bad rap for being a bit bland compared to the regular stuff. When you're buying decaf coffee, it's important to check the decaffeination method used by the brand.
But fear not, fellow coffee lovers! Thanks to some fancy new decaffeination processes, you can now enjoy decaf that doesn't skimp on aroma and flavor.
If companies are not transparent about it, it could be a red flag. Decaf processes can vary from natural methods that use only water to chemical methods that involve solvents similar to paint removers.
- Swiss Water Method
The Swiss Water Method is like sending coffee beans on a luxury spa retreat! They get soaked in water, heated up, and left to chillax for a while, and voila —almost all the caffeine is gone.
But be warned, this spa treatment doesn't come cheap! It's like getting a coffee makeover with a hefty price tag.
The Swiss Water Process, which is a patented technique for decaffeination eliminates 99.9% of the caffeine from coffee. All with just water.
But hey, if you want your beans to be pampered with water, heat, and time, then the Swiss Water Method is the high-end decaf choice. (Who knew caffeine removal could be so posh?)
- Direct-Solvent Method
With this process, the coffee beans are rinsed with either methylene chloride or ethyl acetate once they have become solvent responsive.
Although this method is not harmful to your health, it may deplete the natural flavor and aroma of coffee. That’s why a common issue we have with switching to decaf is the lack of flavor.
I might as well drink a cup of liquid cardboard.
The beans are heated for about 30 minutes to open their pores during the decaffeination process. The caffeine will be extracted in about 10 hours.
- Indirect Solvent
This process uses a solvent to remove caffeine and can be a concern for some people.
In 1975, trichloroethylene was identified as a possible cause of cancer by the National Cancer Institute. It is a commonly used solvent for decaffeination. Yikes!
The indirect solvent method for removing caffeine from green beans starts by soaking the beans in hot water for a few hours. The water is then mixed with a solvent that absorbs the caffeine.
This mixture is separated from the water, which still has important oils and flavors. To return these flavors to the beans, the water is put back with the beans so they can absorb them again.
If you ask me, I would be personally worried about the health effects of drinking decaf that has even small traces of solvent.
- Carbon Dioxide process
The Carbon Dioxide Decaffeination process starts by immersing green coffee beans in highly compressed CO2. This CO2 is then used to extract the caffeine from the beans.
To remove the caffeine from the CO2, activated carbon filters are used. These filters can be reused in the process of extracting caffeine from coffee.
This way, the process is more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
It also does a better job of keeping the flavors in your coffee (and straight to your tastebuds) instead of going down the drain.
Grind size
A coarser grind with less surface area is your best bet with a cold brew. This will result in a less bitter and less acidic taste.
Since we’re specifically looking for coffee options to use for cold brew, we need to make sure we pick the right grind size to use.
Using a coarser grind will make filtration easier and your coffee taste less bitter. Grinding too fine can cause the grounds to heat up, which can ruin your cup.
What’s great about a cold brew is that you don't need any expensive equipment; all you need is time. 🕒 So, you better just stick to a coarse grind.
Roast Level
When it comes to the roast level, medium dark to dark roasts are the best for cold brew decaf coffee.
This is because cold brew involves steeping coffee for a long time, typically 12-24 hours.
If you use lightly roasted coffee. this can result in a concentrate that is too acidic and bitter.
When making cold brew, it's best to use dark roast coffee beans because they have less acidity, which helps to keep the flavor intact.
Dark roast beans are less bitter and less acidic, which lets you taste the milder flavors of the coffee bean.
Can you cold brew decaf coffee?
Yes, you can use decaf to make a cold brew. Get ready for a smooth, less bitter coffee experience!
Caffeine is the active ingredient in coffee that provides its stimulating effects, increasing alertness and cognitive performance.
However, some people may experience adverse effects from caffeine, such as disrupted sleep patterns or other symptoms. This is especially if they have developed increased sensitivity to it.
Decaf can help you how to fall asleep after drinking coffee or even if you are someone who likes to drink coffee after dinner.
Decaf coffee offers a solution for those who still want to enjoy coffee without the potential side effects of caffeine.
How to cold brew decaf
The process of cold brewing decaf coffee can be done with a French press or even just a mason jar.
And if you're looking for the best of both worlds —a coffee that's gentle on the stomach and caffeine-free— Decaf Cold Brew could be your new best friend.
It's like a heavenly gift for coffee lovers like us who want to enjoy our favorite beverage without worrying too much about stomach discomfort or other health concerns.
Here are 3 ways to prepare your cold brew. 👇
Coffee isn't just about caffeine — it's also packed with organic acids that give it its distinctive aroma and flavor.
But for some, the high acidity of brewed coffee can be a stomachache waiting to happen, leading them to avoid it due to concerns about acid reflux and other digestive issues.
Did you know that the caffeine in coffee can cause pooping? This is why one of the ways how to stop coffee from making you poop is switching to decaf.
That's where Cold Brew comes in!
The result? A coffee with a much lower acidity compared to traditional brewing methods makes it smoother and easier on the stomach.
Finding the best decaf cold brew coffee
In conclusion, the availability of decaf cold brew coffee opens up a whole new world of options for us coffee lovers.
If you are looking for a smoother, less acidic, and caffeine-free alternative, switching to cold brew is a great idea. With advancements in decaffeination processes, decaf coffee now offers rich flavors and aromas that rival regular coffee.
And if you're worried about those scary-sounding solvents, don't fret —many brands are now opting for more natural methods to get rid of the caffeine. So you can sip on decaf with confidence, knowing you're getting the best of both worlds: taste without the jitters!
The 5 best decaf cold brew coffee brands listed above are a great starting point for anyone interested in trying out this delicious and gentle-on-the-stomach beverage. Cheers to enjoying a refreshing and flavorful cup of decaf cold brew coffee in 2024!
