I drank a lot of decaf (again), so you don’t have to: my recommendations

I drank a lot of decaf (again), so you don’t have to: my recommendations

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I drank a lot of decaf (again), so you don’t have to: my recommendations

Playing Leaderboard, the Arcade-Inspired Coffee Game

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The Barista League Releases New Competition Calendar

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Miami-Made Panther Coffee is Popping Up in Manhattan

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Hawaiian Legislators Introduce Bills for Stricter Coffee Labeling

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I drank a lot of decaf (again), so you don’t have to: my recommendations

The Color of Coffee Collective Symposium Returns for Its Second Year

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Book Review: From Nerd to Pro, by Patrik Rolf

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Ukraine’s Soloway Coffee Opens First US Shop in Chicago

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Florencia y Fortunata: A Café Empowering Women in Peru

The Cusco café, founded by Carolina Peralta Minaya, sells coffee from women producers and features women demonstrating their skills behind the bar. BY JORDAN BUCHANANBARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE Photos courtesy of Carolina Peralta Minaya Traceability, sustainability, and conscientiousness are key values pervading the specialty-coffee trade. For many consumers and traders, these values inform their decision to […]

I drank a lot of decaf (again), so you don’t have to: my recommendations

I drank a lot of decaf (again), so you don’t have to: my recommendations

minimum dose size?

Jan 31, 2024 |

I use the Hario switch to brew my coffee and am trying to reduce my caffeine consumption. Hence I would like to brew smaller cups of coffee. I am currently using 10g of coffee with 160g of water. (1:16 Ratio) I am wondering if there is a minimum amount of coffee...

I drank a lot of decaf (again), so you don’t have to: my recommendations

Back in August, I made a post where I reviewed a bunch of decaf coffees I'd tried and gave my ranking. In the comments, people offered up a ton of recommendations for other decafs to try. While I didn't get to try them all, I did try a whole bunch.

As I wrote last time, Swiss Water Processed decafs always taste off–that opinion has been reinforced by this recent tasting. I won't write them off completely–so, if you have a recommendation that you think might change my mind, definitely drop it in a comment. Sugarcane/Ethyl Acetate decaffinated coffee is still the best, imo.

The following list is from favorite to least favorite (i.e. the Olympia is #1).

EA = Ethyle Acetate (sugarcane) process

SW = Swiss Water process

Olympia | Asterisk, San Sebastian, Colombia | Caturra | EA

An excellent decaf. It has an wonderful, juicy acidity and none of the usual markers of a decaf. It does lack in the complexity and intrigue you might expect of a similarly bright, yet caffienated, coffee, but that's a minor gripe. There's a chance that when tasted alongside an "OK" third wave coffee, I wouldn't be able to identify the decaf one.

Counter Culture | Urcunina, Nariño, Colombia | EA

A really surprising decaf. Whole bean in the bag, I could smell the "decaf-ness" of it, but once brewed that smell went away. The taste of the decaffeination is well-hidden by an abundance of acidity. Like most decafs, it's fairly one-note, but the note is clear, bright, and sustained.

B&W | Gedeb, Yirgacheff, Ethiopia | EA

Somewhat acrid, but mellowed out by an extremely round and full body. You couldn't fool me with this, but it's reasonably pleasant.

Equator | Ethiopia Alemu Tukule Natural | SW

One of the better SWP decafs I've had. However, it's a bit sharp around the edges and still carries that je ne sais quois that SWP always has that marks it like a flaming beacon as decaf (and in particular SWP).

Theory | Peru | SW

I'm becoming a real decaf conniseur–I was able to identify the process just by smelling it. Luckily, the smell wasn't terribly strong, which boded well. The smell of SWP persists in the brew, but the taste is actually quite nice. There's a really bright acidity that I've never found in an SWP. Unfortunately, the decaf-mustiness is still there, and there isn't a ton of complexity. Still, not bad at all. Definitely an excellent choice.

Counter Culture | Slow Motion (LATAM) | SW

The bag's self-description is fairly accurate—it tastes of cocoa and molasses. But it also tastes of something the bag does not state: Swiss Water Processing. It's fine, for a coffee-flavored tea.

Alright, that's the list! If you have any recommendations for more great decaf to try, let me know! I probably won't get around to a part 3 for quite some time as I'm travelling atm, but when I'm back to my equiptment I'll try what ya'll suggest.

Speaking of, I'm currently in Taipei and loving the incredible coffee here (even the coffee chains here have incredible, 3rd wave-style coffee). I'm headed to Hong Kong next month and Qufu, China the month after (visa willing!). If anyone has recommendations for great coffee in any of those places, please let me know! 謝謝!

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