Tl;dr: Decaf espresso seems like an oxymoron but, whether you are looking for a hot beverage later in the day or have a sensitivity, there are many reasons that a coffee lover may want to enjoy a shot of espresso without the caffeine.

For those of us who love espresso, there comes a time when we realize that we have had too many shots of our favorite coffee style. Whether it is an upset stomach or jitters that leave you feeling anxious and shaky, too much caffeine can wear on your body.

If you enjoy having more than one espresso drink during the day but want to skip the caffeine side effects, a great alternative is decaf espresso. There are lots of questions about decaf espresso drinks and their benefits. In this article, I will look closer at decaffeinated coffee beans and how they can be used to make your favorite espresso drinks.

What is Decaf Espresso?

There are two different features of decaf espresso that I need to define for you. To start, espresso is a brewing method for coffee where dark roast coffee beans are finely ground and hot water is forced through the grounds using pressure from either steam or a pump. Many people think that espresso is the type of bean. There are espresso roast beans, but they can be used for brewing regular coffee as well.

Decaffeinated coffee beans are those that have been processed to remove the caffeine molecules prior to roasting. There are two methods used for decaffeinating coffee. The chemical process of decaffeinating coffee beans uses one of two solvents. One is methylene chloride and the other is ethyl acetate. These two solvents are generally safe and are eliminated from the beans during the roasting process. The process for decaffeinating coffee is simply done by washing the beans with one of the mentioned solvents, drying, and then roasting. The resulting beans do not have either the solvent or caffeine remaining.

The other process used for removing caffeine from coffee beans is called Swiss water processing. This is an all-natural process and is used for organic-certified coffee beans. This process is not quite as effective as the solvent-based process, so many decaffeinated beans that are certified as organic or that use the Swiss water processing method have more remaining caffeine than the solvent-based process.

What to Consider When Brewing Decaf Espresso

What is the Difference Between Espresso and Decaf Espresso?

There are very few differences between regular espresso and decaf espresso. However, there are some variables that make the quality and outcome of your espresso different between decaffeinated and regular espresso drinks.

Caffeine content is the main difference between regular espresso and decaffeinated espresso. To brew a shot of espresso, whether you are wanting caffeinated or decaffeinated you go through the same process. However, the resulting shot or shots of espresso will either have caffeine or they will not.

It is important in this discussion of caffeinated versus decaffeinated to note that regular, dark roast coffee beans do have less caffeine than medium or light roast beans. So, if you are looking for less caffeine and do not want to use a decaffeinated bean, dark or espresso roasts are a great option.

There is little difference in the quality or roast of the coffee beans used for regular espresso or decaf espresso. Most regular and decaf espresso beans are grown throughout the world and after harvesting are roasted. All coffee beans, even those used for making regular coffee, are naturally occurring with caffeine.

One of the most noticeable differences between regular espresso and caffeinated espresso is the flavor and aroma. While the process of decaffeinating coffee beans ideally does not change the flavor or aroma of the resulting coffee, many people do notice a difference. There is some evidence that the processes used to decaffeinate coffee may also remove some of the compounds that contribute to the taste and aroma of the beans after roasting.

Is Decaf Espresso Really Decaffeinated?

If you are using decaffeinated, espresso, or dark roast coffee beans for your espresso, you are getting a shot that is almost 100 percent decaffeinated.

Because the process of making a shot of espresso, whether regular or decaf is the same, if you are utilizing a decaffeinated coffee bean the resulting espresso is decaffeinated.

I mentioned above that not all of the caffeine naturally present in coffee beans can be removed through the process of decaffeinating. Most decaf coffee beans have at least 97% of the caffeine removed. Though, many decaf beans for espresso have as much as 99% of the caffeine removed.

What does this mean for your espresso brewing process? Not much actually. But, when you consider the numbers, an 8-ounce coffee drink made with decaf coffee beans will have around 8 milligrams of caffeine whereas a regular coffee drink has between 60 and 100 milligrams of caffeine.

What Is the Purpose of Decaf Espresso?

But why, you may ask, do you want decaf espresso in the first place? Well, there are many reasons that a coffee lover may want to enjoy a shot of espresso without the caffeine.

Here are some of the more common reasons that you may want to enjoy decaffeinated espresso.

• Reduce Anxiety: Many people who drink decaf espresso do so because too much caffeine gives them anxiety or jitters. If you want to enjoy coffee later in the day or the evening, the last thing you want is to feel anxious or jittery. Decaf espresso can give you the same coffee enjoyment without the anxious feeling.
• Stomach Problems: Caffeine is known to aggravate some stomach issues including acid reflux and ulcers. If you have been diagnosed with either of these, you may want to switch to decaf coffee (and other beverages) to be more gentle on your stomach.
• Heart Problems: People with some heart conditions need to be cautious of certain foods, particularly those that can cause the heart to race or increase blood pressure. Caffeine can do both, even for a healthy person. If you have heart health issues, your physician may recommend that you eliminate caffeine from your diet.
• Pregnancy: Most women who are pregnant will be encouraged to switch to decaffeinated beverages including decaf coffee or espresso. Besides the potential for causing the heart to race, caffeine during pregnancy can have unwanted, negative effects on your developing baby.

Keep in mind that even if you choose a decaffeinated espresso instead of the caffeinated alternative, you still get the other health benefits of coffee such as antioxidants and fiber.

What Does a Decaf Espresso Taste Like?

There is not much difference in taste between regular espresso and decaf espresso. Many people will note that there is a small difference in the flavor of decaf coffee. However, there are ways to make your decaf espresso taste just as flavorful as your regular espresso.

• Be particular about the type of bean you use for your espresso. There are bean varieties that are better at maintaining their flavor through the decaffeinating process. Often blends of a variety of coffee types can give a more robust flavor when decaffeinated.
• Start with whole-bean coffee and fine-grind your beans. The finer your coffee grounds the more flavor that is extracted during the brew process.
• Clean your equipment regularly. Espresso machines will always make a better product when they are maintained and cleaned on a regular basis.

If you are selecting good quality beans, are using fine-grind coffee grounds, and are keeping your espresso machine clean, you can expect a decaf espresso to have the same chocolate, caramel, and deep flavors as your regular espresso.

Who Should Drink Decaf Espresso?

Earlier, I mentioned the reasons that many people choose to enjoy decaf espresso instead of caffeinated. You do not have to have caffeine sensitivity, heart problems, or be pregnant to enjoy decaf espresso or regular coffee. If you just want to reduce your caffeine intake for your own reasons, starting with your morning espresso can be a good first start.

However, as mentioned above, if you have any number of health conditions including heart problems, or ulcers, or are pregnant, decaf espresso has likely been recommended by your physician. However, before you make any changes to your diet, even if you are healthy, make sure you talk with your doctor to ensure it is safe to do so.

How Should You Be Drinking Decaf Espresso?

Moving to decaf espresso does not mean that you have to give up the fun espresso drinks that you enjoy. Below, I offer some espresso drinks that are just as tasty when made with decaf instead of regular beans.

Espresso Shot:

You may need to try a few different decaf espresso roast beans, but when you find the right bean, a decaf espresso shot is a great place to start.

Decaf Americano:

This fan favorite uses decaffeinated espresso diluted with hot water. This drink gives you a more diluted espresso that has a rich flavor but is not as bitter or strong as a shot of espresso.

Decaf Cappuccino:

Substitute your full caffeine espresso with decaf in your morning cappuccino. This espresso drink becomes a well-balanced and creamy, decaf treat to start your day.

Decaf Latte:

If you want a decaf espresso drink that is less bitter but still retains the flavor of your espresso, a latte made with decaf espresso beans is a good option. With more steamed milk than a cappuccino, lattes give you more quantity, to last longer through your morning.

Decaf Mocha:

For a sweet treat, add a bit of chocolate syrup to your decaf latte. Mochas are a fun way to enjoy coffee for dessert. Decaf espresso makes this a great drink at the end of the day or after dinner.

Decaf Macchiato:

Macchiatos are simply a shot of espresso with a dollop of steamed milk foam. Substitute your regular espresso with decaf for a macchiato that is easier on your stomach.

Decaf Flat White:

The flat white is an Australian coffee drink. Made with a lighter, “microfoam”, the flat white, even when decaf, is a delicate but creamy espresso drink with a bold, robust flavor.

Decaf Cortado:

Think of this decaf espresso drink as a half and half. Cortados are half decaf espresso and half steamed milk for a tiny but satisfying espresso drink.

Should You Be Drinking Decaf Espresso?

There are a lot of reasons that you may be considering decaf espresso in your coffee routine. Perhaps you need to reduce your caffeine intake for a health reason, or maybe you just want to skip the jitters that come from drinking caffeinated espresso. No matter the reason, decaf espresso is a great way to enjoy your favorite espresso drinks without the caffeine.

If you are switching to decaf, remember to select high-quality beans, and do not skimp on the brewing process. A good shot of decaf espresso will be just as flavorful and robust as your regular, caffeinated espresso.

How Should You Brew Decaf Espresso?

To brew decaf espresso, follow the same brewing process as you would for regular, caffeinated espresso. The difference is that you will use beans that have been through a special process for removing the caffeine.

Steps:

1. Measure out your coffee grounds according to the directions of your espresso machine. Typically, it's around 18-20 grams of coffee for a double shot.
2. Using your coffee grinder, grind your decaf espresso beans at the finest setting, to a very fine consistency.
3. Use filtered water for the best taste. The temperature should be between 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C). Run a shot of hot water through your espresso machine to preheat it.
4. Fill the portafilter basket with the ground coffee, and use a tamper to compress the coffee grounds evenly. Apply firm pressure to create a smooth, level surface.
5. Insert the portafilter into the espresso machine's group head.
6. Start the brewing process. The extraction time for a double shot of decaf espresso is normally around 25-30 seconds. Modify the grind size or amount of coffee if needed to achieve your desired extraction time.
7. The precise steps or measurements may vary subject to your espresso machine and personal preferences, so try some variables to find the perfect decaf espresso for you.

Find the Right Espresso Machine for You

If you are looking for more information about decaf espresso, message me or one of our other Coffee Experts here on Curated. We are happy to help you find the right decaf espresso for your coffee routine.