Decaf Is Not Caffeine-Free
Decaf is coffee with most of its caffeine removed. Legal standards allow a small amount to remain, so it is never fully free of it.
Decaf is coffee or tea from which most of the caffeine has been removed. It is never caffeine-free: European rules allow up to 0.1 per cent caffeine in decaffeinated coffee beans, and United States rules require 97 per cent removal, so a cup of decaf typically holds a few milligrams against roughly 95 in a regular cup. The Swiss Water process removes caffeine with water and charcoal alone, using no solvent.
- Decaffeinated coffee. *A decaf latte.*
- Decaffeinate — to remove caffeine. *Decaffeinated beans.*
- Caffeine — the stimulant. *Caffeine content.*
- Swiss Water process — a solvent-free method. *Swiss Water decaf.*
- Half-caf — half the usual caffeine. *A half-caf.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | decaf | A decaf. |
| Adjective | decaf | Decaf coffee. |
| Full form | decaffeinated | Decaffeinated. |
| Verb | decaffeinate | To decaffeinate. |
| Related | caffeine | Caffeine. |
- A decaf flat white, please.Ordering.
- Decaf still contains traces of caffeine.Fact.
- The Swiss Water process uses no solvents.Method.
How caffeine is removed
- Solvent methods — the beans are treated with a chemical solvent, then steamed
- Swiss Water process — water and activated charcoal, no solvent
- Carbon dioxide method — pressurised CO2 draws the caffeine out
- All methods happen before roasting, on green beans
- None removes it entirely — a trace always remains
A shortening of *decaffeinated*, from *de-* plus *caffeine*, which comes from German *Kaffein*, from *Kaffee*, coffee.
Does decaf have any caffeine?
Yes, a small amount. Standards allow up to 0.1 per cent in the beans, so a cup usually holds a few milligrams.
Is decaf made with chemicals?
Some methods use a solvent, removed before roasting. The Swiss Water and carbon dioxide processes use none.