Ever since decaf coffee began, it’s always had a bad reputation, we can’t deny that.
Coffee lovers have classed it as overroasted, bitter, flavourless coffee, that is chemically processed, and almost pointless that it’s even an option! For those who were caffeine sensitive, or wanted an afternoon brew, the option was at least disappointing - you did have to compromise on taste!
However, that’s not the case now in the modern specialty coffee world. From higher quality beans, to advanced decaffeinated methods, Decaf Nation is leading the charge to help provide people with amazing decaf options. If you’re after an amazing coffee to have at home anytime of day, whether you prefer a fruity filter coffee like our Yemen Anis, or a more traditional espresso taste notes like our Peru Alto Mayo, or Mexican Sierra, we’ve got something for every coffee lover.
So let’s explore why more coffee lovers are switching to decaf!
Reason 1: Decaf has Upped its Game Dramatically
Decaf coffee began with chemical processes. It is cheaper than natural methods, so it became a worldwide decaffeination method among the big brands. However, this is when the stigma of decaf began. Along with stripping the flavour profiles of the beans, chemical decaffeination removes the antioxidants in coffee, which is where the term ‘decaf is bad for you’ originated.
At Decaf Nation, all our decaffeination methods are natural.
From Swiss Water, which is the process of soaking the coffee beans in water and GCE (Green Coffee Extract, a solution of concentrated coffee compounds containing everything except caffeine). Or Sugar Cane which is the process of removing the caffeine using ethyl acetate, a compound found naturally in fruits and sugar cane. These methods keep as much of the original flavour as possible, as well as the antioxidants!
Higher quality green beans are now being used for decaf, which is making the coffee that much better! When decaf was fully considered an afterthought, a second choice, the green beans that were decaffeinated were also second grade beans! If you choose decaf beans from brands like Decaf Nation, you know the beans are high-quality Arabica beans.
Decaf beans are also notoriously more difficult to roast, due to structure changes in the beans, which has then resulted in overroasted bitter coffee! Our head roaster Jacob, has mastered roasting our decaf beans, so we have light roasts, medium roasts and nothing dark or bitter.
Decaf coffee is also known for being made up of blends of coffee beans, not single origins. Blends are easier to hide bad flavour profiles and inconsistencies with the beans. This is why Decaf Nation only does single origins (except our Hybrid half caff - which is a Mexican decaf and Brazilian caffeinated bean. We can then have full traceability of the beans, and they have their own individual taste notes.
Reason 2: Better Sleep, and Have a Coffee Anytime of Day!
Caffeine is a stimulant to the nervous system, which then creates the buzz/energy after you have a caffeinated coffee. By having a decaf, you’re cutting this out, allowing you to have a coffee at any time of day, even right before bed! Going out for a coffee, or having an afternoon brew is becoming a popular ritual, so decaf is allowing people to experience this.
There is lots of research about the impacts of caffeine on people’s sleep. For example, caffeine is now shown to stay in your body for 6+ hours! So a 3 pm caffeinated flat white could impact your sleep! So the decaf flat white is taking its place.
You may have seen our brand mascot - the koala! With Decaf Nation, you can have an amazing tasting coffee, and sleep like a koala (up to 18 hours, wow!)
Reason 3: Mental Health and Caffeine’s Impact
We mentioned above that caffeine is a stimulant. Scientifically, this means your body can release adrenaline and cortisol. If you have anxiety, ocd, adhd for example, these can cause unpleasant side effects if too much is consumed, including restlessness, jitters, and shakes.
From the coffee festivals and events we’ve attended, we’ve spoken to lots of you guys, and also found that on certain medications, it’s recommended to not have caffeine. This is exactly why we want to give people a wide range of choices of coffee, exactly as if it was caffeinated. There are more and more mental health and caffeine links, so whatever the reason you might not be able to have caffeine/choose to cut down, Decaf Nation has got you covered, with decafs for every brewing method.
Reason 4: Wellness is Trending - and so is Decaf!
Now decaf has significantly improved, those who are realising caffeine isn’t good for them, are now able to choose high-quality decaf, like Decaf Nation. From heart conditions, to blood pressure, before good decaf was available, some people would just cut coffee out completely.
A lot of our customers are also pregnant/breastfeeding women. They should be able to have amazing-tasting coffee, too.
More conversations are also being had around general well-being and how decaf can support more wellness-focused lifestyles. From coffee lovers only drinking caffeinated coffee in the past, and now with decaf continuing to improve and grow, more people are switching to one or two caffeinated, then as soon as the afternoon hits, it’s time for a decaf! Links are also being made with alcohol consumption, and people drinking more low/no alcohol options.
Wellness is trending, and at Decaf Nation, we’re here for this!
Reason 5: There is a Decaf Option for Everyone!
After attending the London Coffee Festival, it was so lovely to speak to so many people about how happy they were to see a stand dedicated to decaf. There is the possibility now to offer as many different decafs, as if they were caffeinated - so that’s what we do at Decaf Nation!
From lighter, fruitier decafs like our Yemen Anis, or more espresso focused like our Peru or Mexican, or omniroasts including our Honduras El Alto, and now our Hybrid (half caff), there is something for anytime of day, for filter or espresso. We also have a limited edition, which is currently a honey processed swiss water decaf from Colombia, and are always looking for new, exciting decafs.
As well as different single origins, we use the different decaffeination methods mentioned above! Our Yemen Anis, which is sugar cane decaffeinated, brings a natural sweetness to the coffee, so great for people who like a fruitier, sweeter coffee. Our swiss water decaffeinated coffees remove the most amount of caffeine at 99.9%, so great for those super sensitive to caffeine and preserves a lot of the flavour.
Conclusion
Many coffee lovers are switching to decaf as it’s improved so much! Along with wellness trends, and research about caffeine's impact on mental and physical well-being, those who drink coffee for the taste are now able to choose if they want amazing-tasting coffee, with or without the buzz.
If it’s coffee for night and day, and caffeine-free you’re after, Decaf Nation is the perfect place for you. All our coffees are available in whole bean or ground for any type of brewing method. So check out our variety of single origins, or if you’re still after a slight afternoon pick me up, check out our chocolatey, caramel Hybrid - half caff!
Decaf Nation - Proper Coffee For Sleep Lovers.