What is Decaf Coffee? How does it Taste?

Caffeine is the natural stimulant found in coffee that makes us feel alert, stimulated and awake! Decaf coffee, or decaffeinated coffee, is simply coffee that has had its caffeine removed from the beans.

But what if you are craving a rich and smooth cup of coffee in the evening to wind down the day? Having decaffeinated coffee could be a great alternative, to allow us to enjoy the great taste of coffee without worrying about the side effects from caffeine.

Generally, the amount of caffeine in a Nespresso capsule is defined by the proportion of Robusta and Arabica blend in the coffee, and the grammage of coffee per capsule. Our Espresso range (40ml) typically contains 50 to 70 mg of caffeine per cup, whereas the Lungo range contains 60 to 80 mg of caffeine per cup. Decaffeinated coffee usually contains only 2-4 mg of caffeine per cup.

The taste of decaf coffee is dependent on the decaffeination process. There are multiple methods of decaffeinating coffee, but it can be broadly separated into two categories – a chemical-based approach and a water-based process.

Nespresso uses a more natural water-based process for decaffeination. This method of decaffeination produces coffee without a massive loss of flavour, and it is able to remove 99% of the caffeine from the coffee bean. The beauty of this process is it is able to eliminate the caffeine without altering the final taste of the coffee.