Yes, we all love coffee, (well, most of us are, at least) but can we address the fact that coffee is not always good for you? Or to be more specific, caffeine, which can be quite harmful, causing insomnia, HBP, and even addiction. Yes, it’s proven that caffeine is addictive. Again and again.
And now keep in mind the fact that an average person can drink 42.6 liters per year. That’s way too much caffeine! So people try to find new routes – limit their caffeine intake without sacrificing the morning cup of some delicious java. How? With the help of some of the best instant decaf coffee.
And since we’ve switched to drinking decaf coffee some time ago, we didn’t feel that much of a difference, truth be told. Basically, you just replace a regular coffee with decaf and don’t even notice that difference. But your body does, and it will thank you for exposing it to less caffeine.
So let us share our positive experience, and teach you all you need to know about the best instant decaf brands and what you need to know in order to choose only the best instant decaffeinated drink. Let’s go!
Top 7 Best Decaf Coffees: Comparison Chart
| Brand | Roast | Caffeine Content | Caffeine Free | Organic Certified | Volume |
| Folgers | Medium | Decaffeinated | 99.7% | Yes | 8 oz |
| Nescafe | Light | Decaffeinated | 99.7% | n/a | 16 packets |
| Mount Hagen | Medium | Decaffeinated | 99.99% | Yes | 3.53 oz |
| República | Medium | Decaffeinated | 99.5% | Yes | 3.53 oz |
| Starbucks | Dark | Decaffeinated | n/a | n/a | 50 packets |
| Maxwell House | Medium | Decaffeinated | 99.7% | n/a | 8 oz |
| Highground | Medium | Decaffeinated | n/a | Yes | 3.53 oz |
What Is Decaf Coffee, and How Is It Made?
So first of all – what is organic decaf instant coffee? Well… it’s a drink without caffeine. It’s made from beans, and at least 97% of their caffeine has been removed. All the best instant decaffeinated coffee is typically producing either by using water, carbon dioxide, or solvents to draw caffeine out of the beans.
The beans are washed in the solvent and then boiled until the caffeine has been extracted. Another method to extract caffeine is by using carbon dioxide or a charcoal filter. This method is also known as the Swiss Water Process. It relies entirely on two concepts, namely Osmosis and Solubility.
It begins by soaking beans in hot water to dissolve the caffeine. Water is drawn off and passed through an activated charcoal filter. In the end, we have no-caffeine beans in one tank and no-flavor beans in the other.
IInstant Decaf Coffee Benefits and Concerns
There are plenty of health benefits associated with drinking a caffeinated cup of coffee. The decaffeination and instant production processes reduce the amount of caffeine, leaving you with less than 3 mg of caffeine per cup. Espresso, which is prepared differently than regular coffee, varies too. For example, a study found out that decaf espresso shots from the same batch of beans have between 3 and 15.8 milligrams of caffeine. An average instant decaf espresso shot contains 63 milligrams of caffeine.
So what are those benefits that the best instant decaf coffee gives? Here are some:
- Regular consumption of coffee reduces the risk of getting type 2 diabetes mellitus. This is because chlorogenic acid is an insulin sensitizer that potentiates insulin action.
- This plant contains polyphenols organic compound, which helps regulate metabolism, chronic diseases, and cell proliferation.
- Various polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that could prevent neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
And like most things in life, there are some side effects too:
- A heightened level of acidity with an incrA heightened level of acidity with an increased risk of heartburn.
- The tendency to cause bowel movements.
What Are the Instant Decaf Coffee Concerns?
People often wonder about the ingredients in their instant decaf coffee, and acrylamide is the one that raises the most questions, usually. A lot of people wonder – is acrylamide harmful to my health? That depends on how much you drink it.
Roasted beans contain only a small amount of acrylamide. However, this chemical is only harmful in rather high amounts, and you shouldn’t experience any problems if staying within the safe dose.
Another ingredient that goes under the radar is ethyl acetate, which is used in the process of decaffeinating this beverage. Oh, and Methyl chloride is also used as a solvent in the caffeine from green beans. It should be used at a level not exceeding 0.001% in decaffeinated roasted coffee and decaffeinated soluble extract.
While these are both technically “organic” compounds, they are synthetically produced, and both can cause health problems if taken to high doses. Drinking instant decaf in moderation IS safe, as long as you don’t go too heavy in it. As we all know, even healthy things can be harmful in small doses.
Who Should Consume Instant Decaf Coffee?
So now you may be wondering – who should consume best tasting instant decaf coffee? The Decaf is consumed by people whose bodies can’t adjust to caffeine or/and those that want to limit their caffeine intake but still drink some delicious java.
Those that will benefit from drinking a decaf are:
- Pregnant women: When you’re pregnant, caffeine should be kept to a minimum.
- Those dealing with anxiety disorders: Since caffeine, a stimulant and too much of it can cause jitters. So obviously, you should avoid it if you have anxiety and similar conditions.
- Those with heart conditions: Too much caffeine can damage even the healthy heart, not to mention those already suffering from heart issues.
How Can You Choose the Best Instant Decaf Coffee?
Now that we’ve sorted out why decaf coffee is a good alternative to a regular one, let’s now take a look at what you need to pay attention to in order to choose only the best instant decaf coffee:
Brand
A well-known brand of instant decaf coffee is essential. It’s more likely that an established and renowned product can access this technology and expertise that can give you the best tasting this drink. Some of the best instant decaf coffee brands are:
Mount Hagen
Also the only certified instant decaf coffee. The great thing about this brand is that its coffee beans are sourced from Peru and Honduras, countries known for having some amazing beans.
| Features | • They are freeze-dried and have a distinct flavor • Their flavor is both fruity and nutty, with a hint of spice |
| Pros | • It’s freeze-dried • It’s organic |
| Cons | • It’s expensive |
Nescafe
The roast is well balanced with lots of flavors. You can have it at home or on the go.
| Features | • One pack contains 16 sachets |
| Pros | • Affordable • It comes with a hint of hazelnut flavor |
| Cons | • During delivery, sachets are prone to punctures |
Coffee Type
Instant coffee comes in two types depending on how it’s prepared. The first way is using a method of brewing where beans are grounded using hot and dry air then sprayed into a mist. The mist is then collected and forms flakes like the one seen in the coffee powder.
The other way is through freeze-drying. Then you just have to add hot water and your instant decaf coffee is ready!
Bean type
With a mixture of complementary flavors from other beans, the flavor from one type will be masked by the flavor of the other type of beans. The best flavored coffee has a distinctive taste, and when it is decaffeinated, the change in flavor is more noticeable.
In instant decaf, you can choose beans from different countries like Italy and the Netherlands. There is also a choice amongst roast- light, dark, or medium.
Other factors to consider
Don’t forget about the packaging size, type, and expiry date! When it’s packed in smaller single-cup pouches, the drink will retain its freshness and flavor whenever you prepare a new cup. But when coffee is in a large jar, it will be opened frequently, leading to loss of some freshness.
Steps to make tasty decaf drink
Adding extra flavor to an instant decaffeinated drink is one of the essential things to consider. And you can do that pretty easily, just:
- Add cream.
- Then add sugar.
- Add oriental spicy enhancers: cinnamon, cocoa powder or hazelnut syrup.
- Enjoy some delicious java.
FAQ
Can you drink decaf coffee when pregnant?
Yes, since pregnant women need to limit their caffeine intake. It would be best if you didn’t take more than 200mg of caffeine a day.
Can I drink decaf coffee with high blood pressure?
It’s a lot safer to drink instant decaf coffee if you have high BP since a lot of caffeine tends to raise it.
Can I mix regular coffee with decaffeinated coffee?
Sure, just keep in mind that this would raise the caffeine content.
Final Word
Coffee is one of the healthiest beverages. Its usage is associated with several health benefits, but also risks. So if you have some medical conditions, or you simply want to limit the amount of caffeine you consume, it would be better to take turns, and sometimes give your body a break from this stimulant. That is why the best instant decaf coffee is a great help in this matter – it’s pretty much the same taste minus the regular caffeine dosage in java! So make sure to choose only the best instant decaf coffee, and let us know what you think about it!