What Decaf Coffee Brands Are Available? Where Can You Buy Low-Caffeine Coffee? Characteristics of Decaf Coffee Beans

Understanding Decaf Coffee

Decaf coffee is exactly what the name suggests: coffee with minimal caffeine. Coffee contains many compounds, and caffeine is the one with the most pronounced effect on the human body. For coffee lovers whose health simply doesn't allow caffeine, decaf is the obvious answer.

In general, Arabica beans contain 1.1%-1.7% caffeine, while Robusta beans run 2%-4.5%. Decaf coffee is regulated so that caffeine does not exceed 0.3% once brewed - meaning a single cup of decaf carries no more than 5 milligrams of caffeine.

Decaffeination must be performed on the beans in their raw, green state. There are currently three main methods: the traditional/European Process, the Swiss Water Process (SWP), and the Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Process (CO₂ Process). All three can strip out most of the caffeine, leaving just 2-3% of the original content in the beans.

None of these methods is gentle on green coffee. It would be hard to convince anyone that they cause no damage or flavor loss whatsoever - how much the cup suffers ultimately depends on the skill of the decaffeination processor and of the roaster who works with the beans afterward.

Starbucks Decaf Series

Start with the brand everyone knows best. From January 11, 2017, Starbucks Japan began test-selling its "DECAF" series.

The headline product is a Starbucks latte that is 99% caffeine-free.

To the eye it looks no different from a regular latte, still delivering coffee's rich, mellow aroma with barely any difference in taste. According to official information, this latte uses the "carbon dioxide extraction method" to remove over 99% of the caffeine while preserving the coffee's flavor.

P.S. On carbon dioxide extraction: the large amount of CO₂ produced during roasting becomes liquid under high pressure, and passing it through steam-treated beans removes the caffeine without disturbing the other compounds inside the bean.

And since it's called the "DECAF" series, there is far more than just latte. The Decaf Lineup menu offered a whole range of choices - iced and hot Americano, latte, caramel macchiato, mocha, white mocha, and cappuccino.

Clearly, Starbucks intended to push the decaf concept much further.

MUJI Decaf Series

MUJI, the byword for thoughtful living, also carries plenty of "low-caffeine" products in its coffee line, led by canned coffee (brown sugar latte) and low-caffeine instant coffee powder.

In Japan's fiercely competitive supermarket landscape, more and more brands are using low caffeine to sell the idea of "healthy, zero burden," reaching for ever broader consumer groups.

LAWSON MACHI CAFE

Also in 2017, Lawson's MACHI Cafe launched 97% caffeine-free products in four formats: iced and hot black coffee, and iced and hot latte.

Although each cup costs 50 yen more than the store's regular coffee, it has been warmly received by customers who drink several cups a day or want coffee in the evening.

OGAWA Coffee Low-Caffeine Mocha

The famous OGAWA Coffee has long been a mainstay of Japan's supermarket coffee shelves. Its low-caffeine mocha - mellow, sweet, with a long finish - proved a hit once paired with the low-caffeine concept.

UCC Sugar-Free Low-Caffeine Series

UCC, another famous brand, hasn't missed the decaf wave either, promoting a 97% caffeine reduction while keeping the flavor delicious - going so far as to position it as safe even for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.

Decaf Coffee Drip Bags

Beyond the big names, more and more Japanese coffee brands are rolling out low-caffeine products, mainly as drip bags and instant powders, so drinkers can enjoy them anytime, anywhere.

MMC and UNICAFE, for example, have both launched low-caffeine drip bags, promising a rich yet mellow cup while lightening the body's burden.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If your motivation for decaf is enjoying coffee late in the day with milk, FrontStreet Coffee's Black Cocoa Blend deserves a look. Made from 100% Arabica beans, it produces a thick golden crema and a full, balanced cup with the aroma of creamy chocolate and cocoa cookies - plenty of body, gentle on the palate, and priced kindly enough for everyday drinking at home or in the cafe.