Category: Advice

Decaf Coffee: The Delightfully Easy Way to Beat Caffeine Cravings, According to Scientists

Advice, Science of caffeine, Decaf coffeePublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on Decaf Coffee: The Delightfully Easy Way to Beat Caffeine Cravings, According to Scientists

Do you rely on caffeine to get through the day, but find yourself struggling with caffeine cravings and sleep disturbances at night? A recent study suggests that switching to decaf coffee may be the answer to your problems.

The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Bristol in the UK, involved 126 participants who regularly consumed coffee. Over a four-week period, the participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: one group was instructed to replace one cup of regular coffee per day with decaf coffee, one group was instructed to replace two cups of regular coffee per day with decaf coffee, and the third group was instructed to continue consuming regular coffee as usual.

At the end of the study, the researchers found that the participants who had replaced at least one cup of regular coffee per day with decaf coffee reported significantly lower caffeine cravings and better sleep quality than the participants who had continued consuming regular coffee. The participants who had replaced two cups of regular coffee per day with decaf coffee reported even greater improvements in caffeine cravings and sleep quality.

So, what does this mean for coffee lovers who are struggling with caffeine-related issues? According to the study’s lead author, Dr. Russell Johnson, “our results suggest that even moderate reductions in caffeine intake can have a positive effect on sleep quality and caffeine craving.”

But what about the taste of decaf coffee, which is often criticized for being bland and boring? Here at I LOVE DECAF, we believe that decaf coffee can be just as delicious and satisfying as regular coffee – if not more so. That’s why we offer a wide range of decaf coffees made from the finest beans and roasted to perfection, so you can enjoy the full-bodied flavor and aroma of coffee without the jitters.

So, if you’re looking for a way to beat caffeine cravings and improve your sleep quality, consider making the switch to decaf coffee. With I LOVE DECAF’s delicious range of decaf coffees, you won’t have to sacrifice taste for better health.

Coffee Grind: How to Find the Right Kind

I Love Decaf, Coffee tasting, Decaf coffee recipe ideas, AdvicePublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on Coffee Grind: How to Find the Right Kind

Ground decaf coffee is available in a few different grades and there’s a great deal of confusion as to what the grind has to do with flavour, the kind of coffee-making equipment you have, and so on. It can be baffling for anyone but now, the guesswork is over, with our guide to the grind.

What coffee grind is best for me?

From fine ground to coarse, the grind of the coffee affects how it tastes in your cup. if you pay attention to what ground coffee you are putting into which piece of coffee-making equipment you will always get the best taste and aroma. If your coffee tastes bad, it is usually because you have over or under brewed your drink. 

It’s not surprising that with a myriad of kinds of coffee making machines, there are many ways of brewing, from the super-fast to the grindingly slow. Your chosen machine will require a specific size, grade, and grind of coffee to work properly.

How to find the perfect espresso grind

Espresso machines are fast because the hot water is in contact with the coffee for less than half a minute. This liquid extracts the flavour quickly, and a finer grind leads to a richer, more flavoursome cup. The science behind this is simple, a finer grind means more surface area in contact with the water, gram for gram. 

If you tried coarse ground in an espresso machine, you would find the flavour of your hot brown water sour and undeveloped.

The right ground coffee for your French press

A French press or cafetière takes much longer to work than an espresso machine. In a French press, the grinds float about in the water steeping for minutes on end and so brewing fine ground in a cafetière would allow serious over-extraction of the coffee’s flavour and turn it into a bitter-tasting brew.

For drip filter machines or pour over coffee makers of the kind that fill a carafe or jug, drip by drip, try a medium ground coffee

What kind of coffee grind is right for your kind of coffee machine?

Whenever you buy ground decaf, match the grind to the equipment you own. If you’re always disappointed with your machine’s coffee, it could be as simple a fix as buying different grinds for your machine.

Not only do we love decaf, but we also love keeping decaf simple. We sell coffee in different grinds for different machines. It can be difficult to tell what grind is suitable for each method, so we say what kind of machine it’s good for. Sometimes, to save space on the label, we use a letter instead on our Brasilia coffee and call it what it is for others. But what you will see is: Beans, Ground (cafetière) and Find Ground (espresso, moka and filter machines)

B Unground, whole beans (CHOOSE BEANS)

Unground beans are perfect if you like complete control over your coffee, you own a bean-to-cup machine or, alternatively, have more than kind of coffee machine and need to vary the grind accordingly.

C French Press or Cafetière (CHOOSE GROUND)

You fill a cafetière with very hot water and leave it to steep. When it is brewed, you compress all the grounds out of suspension behind a metal screen by pushing a plunger down.

E Espresso coffee (CHOOSE FINE GROUND)

An espresso machine at home can be very convenient and makes us all into a barista. But originally, people brewed coffee using a stove-top percolator called a Moka pot. This boils water under pressure, forcing steam and water through the coffee grinds. When the grinds are saturated with pressure from boiling water, the steam further forces the brewed coffee up a funnel and then into the top chamber. Once you hear the characteristic sound of gurgling, your coffee is ready.

P Coffee Pods and Capsules

Not all pod systems create environmentally responsible coffee. Many of these will be thrown away after one use and the environmental consequences will not be limited to a small area. However, it is best to find those that are refillable to avoid this dilemma. We sell one of these on ilovedecaf.com, but many other companies offer refillable pods as well.

F Filter Coffee and AeroPress (CHOOSE FINE GROUND)

The simplest way to make coffee is to drip feed or pour hot water over grounds sitting in a filter cone. From the pour-over to the new AeroPress machine, a medium grind works best.

Medium Roast Decaf Coffee Crema and Grind Advice
Medium Roast Decaf Coffee Crema and Grind Advice
Dark Roast Decaf Coffee Crema and Grind Advice
Dark Roast Decaf Coffee Crema and Grind Advice
50% Decaf Coffee Crema and Grind Advice
50% Decaf Coffee Crema and Grind Advice
Coffee Shop Style Decaf Coffee Crema and Grind Advice
Coffee Shop Style Decaf Coffee Crema and Grind Advice
Rich Swiss Water Style Decaf Coffee Crema and Grind Advice
Rich Swiss Water Style Decaf Coffee Crema and Grind Advice
Organic Swiss Water Full Bodied Decaf Coffee Crema and Grind Advice
Organic Swiss Water Full Bodied Decaf Coffee Crema and Grind Advice
Decaf coffee

Decaf coffee

I Love Decaf is the only UK destination for the best decaf coffee. We supply decaf coffee beans, pods, filter and ground decaf coffee for those who love the taste of decaf coffee.

Shop now

The 5 Things You Don’t Believe Can Happen When You Cut Caffeine

AdvicePublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on The 5 Things You Don’t Believe Can Happen When You Cut Caffeine

I used to be one of those people who would drink not just coffee but energy drinks and colas on top, often throughout the day. I was under the impression that the caffeine spritzing through my veins from all different angles was necessary for living a happy and productive life in the city. But as it turns out, when you reduce your intake for a month or two (more like 3-4 months) you can experience some pretty wild changes to your health!

Decaf: How much do you need to go there?

When it comes to the benefits of decaf, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The amount of caffeine you need depends on your individual tolerances and sensitivities. Some people can drink multiple cups of coffee a day without any negative effects. Others may start to feel jittery and anxious after just one cup.

If you’re thinking about reducing your caffeine intake, it’s important to pay attention to how your body responds. If you notice any negative changes, such as increased anxiety or difficulty sleeping, you may want to cut back on the amount of caffeine you’re consuming.

It’s also important to remember that caffeine is found in more than just coffee. Tea, soda, and energy drinks all contain caffeine. So, if you’re trying to reduce your intake, you’ll need to be mindful of all the sources of caffeine in your diet.

1.    Caffeine and adrenaline levels

  • Caffeine and adrenaline levels: When you reduce caffeine intake, your body no longer has the same level of adrenaline. This can lead to feelings of fatigue and low energy. This is a temporary thing.
  • Caffeine and blood pressure: Caffeine can also affect your blood pressure. When you reduce your caffeine intake, your blood pressure may drop. This is usually seen as a good thing as a first step to fight hypertension, but it can also cause dizziness.
  • Caffeine and anxiety: Another common effect of reducing caffeine intake is increased anxiety. This is because caffeine can help to improve focus and concentration. When you reduce your caffeine intake, you may find it more difficult to focus and concentrate on tasks. Again – this is a temporary effect.
  • Caffeine and sleep: finally, reducing caffeine intake can also disrupt your sleep patterns. This is because caffeine can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep. If you reduce caffeine intake, you may find yourself feeling more tired during the day. A temporary reduction in alertness is to be expected, but you will soon find your attention level improving without caffeine.

2.    The consequences of reducing caffeine intake

When you reduce your caffeine intake, you may experience some consequences.

  • One consequence of reducing your caffeine intake is that you may feel more tired during the day. Caffeine is a stimulant, so when you reduce your intake, you may find that you need to take more naps or sleep for longer periods of time. You may also find that you have trouble concentrating when you reduce your caffeine intake. Caffeine can help to improve focus and concentration, so without it, you may find it harder to stay on task.
  • You may also experience headaches when you reduce your caffeine intake. This is because caffeine can help to constrict blood vessels, and when you reduce your intake, those blood vessels may expand, leading to headaches.
  • Finally, you may find that your mood changes when you reduce your caffeine intake. Caffeine can help to improve mood and energy levels, so without it, you may feel more sluggish and down.

3.    Spring Cleaning to Reduce Caffeine Intake

Spring Cleaning to Reduce Caffeine Intake:

  • If you’re trying to reduce your caffeine intake, one thing you can do is spring clean your diet. This means getting rid of all the foods and drinks that contain caffeine. This includes coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, chocolate, and even some medications. By getting rid of these things from your diet, you’ll be able to reduce your caffeine intake significantly.
  • Cutting Back Gradually: Another way to reduce your caffeine intake is to cut back gradually. If you’re used to drinking several cups of coffee per day, try reducing it to just one or two cups. You can also switch to decaf coffee or tea. Or, if you typically drink energy drinks, try switching to a non-caffeinated version. Cutting back gradually will help you reduce your caffeine intake without feeling too much withdrawal.
  • Avoiding Caffeine Triggers: In addition to cutting back on caffeine gradually, you can also avoid triggers that make you want to consume caffeine. For example, if you tend to drink coffee in the morning because you’re tired, try changing up your routine. Instead of drinking coffee, try walking or exercising to wake yourself up. Or, if drinking coffee before going to bed makes you feel more awake, treat your insomnia in another manner. Speak with a health professional about your insomnia and follow their advice for getting good sleep at night.

How to reduce caffeine intake

If you’re looking to reduce your caffeine intake, there are a few things you can do. First, try switching to decaf coffee or tea. You could also cut down on the amount of coffee or tea you’re drinking each day, but this usually only works for a while.

You can also try alternative beverages like herbal tea or water. Drinking plenty of water is always a good idea, and it can help to flush out the caffeine in your system.

Finally, be sure to eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise. Eating healthy foods and getting regular exercise will help to boost your energy levels and reduce your need for caffeine.

Do what?

If you’re used to drinking a lot of caffeine, reducing your intake can have some pretty unexpected effects. You might find yourself feeling more tired than usual or experiencing headaches and mood swings. But don’t worry, these side effects are only temporary as your body adjusts to its new caffeine level. In the long run, you’ll be glad you made the switch to a healthier lifestyle.

Is Decaf Safe for Kids

Science of Coffee, Decaf coffee, AdvicePublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on Is Decaf Safe for Kids

You’re a parent, right? You probably already know that caffeine is a nutritional desert. In terms of nourishment, there’s nothing there. We’ve all heard of sugary foods being empty calories, but caffeine doesn’t even have the calories.

Kids being kids, however, might be curious about that ritual you go through after the evening meal or over breakfast and ask if they can have some. You drink decaf, but you’re still not sure. Is decaf ok for kids?

The answer is: the tiny amounts of caffeine left in decaf is safe enough, but you should be aware, perhaps, of the other sources of caffeine kids have access to. Not cola drinks and the obvious culprits, you’re not an amateur. We’re talking about some hidden sources of caffeine here.

Over at ilovedecaf.shop, we stock some of the best decaf coffee and tea you can get. In fact, it’s so good that we think that you won’t be able to tell any difference in taste and aroma.

Highlighting hidden and not immediately obvious sources of caffeine will help you understand how their potential effects can derail your good intentions. Having said that, healthy habits start early. There is no need to worry about decaf tea or coffee when it comes to your kids.

A cup of decaf coffee or tea only has a small amount of caffeine, about the same as a chocolate milk drink. Decaf pales in comparison to coffee and tea. A cup of regular filter coffee might have 50 times the caffeine of decaf, while black tea can easily be 25 times more caffeinated than its decaf alternative. Regular or diet cola is about 35 times more caffeine than a cup of decaf and even a choc bar will give you 10 times as much caffeine as a decaffeinated coffee.

So, relax. Pour yourself a fresh cup of whatever you are all drinking. Be assured if your children do go kaboom at bedtime, you may be surprised that it was the cup of hot chocolate or choc bar they secretly rewarded themselves with on their way home from school that is the more likely culprit.

Why the Top 3 Decaf Teas at I Love Decaf are the Best You Can Get Anywhere

Decaf tea, AdvicePublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on Why the Top 3 Decaf Teas at I Love Decaf are the Best You Can Get Anywhere

Introduction

When you’re looking for a great cup of decaf tea, there are many to choose from. We’ve sipped all sorts of decaf tea in our time, but it’s hard to find one that will refresh and energize without compromising on the taste.

In this article, we will take a look at three of our favourites, and give you tips on how to choose the perfect one for your needs. 

It turns out that choosing our favourite top 3 I Love Decaf decaf teas wasn’t as difficult as it could have been. Choosing the best three is simple when we only do the best three you can get.

1. Sheba’s Small and Large Leaf Best Decaf Tea

If you’re looking for a quality decaf tea that with excellent, malty notes that make it perfect for a refined breakfast tea experience, Sheba Large and Small Leaf Teas are the perfect option for you.

We offer our rich, powerful and golden brews in small and large leaf styles. And like all our decaf tea, we use only the finest quality leaves.

Our decaf teas are perfect for people who want to reduce their caffeine intake or for those who are trying to avoid caffeine altogether. Not only that, but we always insist that taste is the most important consideration with decaf tea.

Our teas are delicious and will leave you feeling refreshed and energized.

If you’re looking for the perfect decaf tea, look no further than Sheba’s Best. Choose from large leaf and small leaf variations.

2. Lancashire Black Decaf Tea

Lancashire Black Decaf Tea is a delicious black tea that is perfect for those who are looking for a decaf option. Its name is a nod to a famous brand from the county next door, but our decaf is better than theirs.

Lancashire Black Decaf Tea is a straight Ceylon Leaf  – the finest black tea from Sri Lanka and is decaffeinated using the high quality CO2 process. This decaf tea is great for those who want to enjoy a delicious cup of strong tea but don’t want the caffeine.

It is also perfect for people who are looking for an alternative to regular black tea.

If you are looking for a delicious decaf tea option, try our Lancashire Black.

3. New English Breakfast Brew Decaf Tea

If you’re looking for an excellent decaf tea, look no further than I Love Decaf. Our English Breakfast Brew Decaf Tea is the perfect choice for anyone who wants a delicious and healthy cup of decaf tea.

This decaf tea is sourced from a single Kilkotagiri estate Nilgiri black tea in Tamil Nadu, its healthy leaves, with their smoky and oak notes, are perfectly captured in this decaffeinated black tea using a chemical-free method.

It’s also ethically and sustainably sourced. It delivers the same great flavour and health benefits as a regular English Breakfast Brew, but it’s also much lower in caffeine so is therefore ideal for those who are concerned about their caffeine intake.

Our decaf teas are available in a variety of weights, so you can choose the perfect option for your needs. We also offer a variety of other great teas, so be sure to check out our website for more information.

I Love Decaf Tea Promise

At I Love Decaf, we know that decaf is a popular choice for many people. That’s why we make sure that our teas are top quality and the best decaf around. We like to think we put the Love into Decaf.

Our promise to you is this: If you’re not happy with the taste of your brew, get in touch and we will refund you or send you another tea to taste.

Every tea we sell at I Love Decaf is decaffeinated using the most advanced technology available. We take great care in ensuring that our teas are free from caffeine, not just as a health choice but also because it’s the right thing to do.

We hope you enjoy our selection of our top three decaf teas!

Decaf Coffee: The 3 Reasons Why You’ll Love Decaf Too.

Decaf coffee, Science of Coffee, AdvicePublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on Decaf Coffee: The 3 Reasons Why You’ll Love Decaf Too.

Why Decaf Coffee is exactly what you need

We all know that coffee is packed with antioxidants and can help improve focus and concentration. But what about decaf coffee? Is it worth drinking, or is it just a waste of time and energy?

Introduction

In this article, we’ll explore 5 reasons why decaf coffee is exactly the drink you need. From its health benefits to its great taste and aroma and its ability to improve focus and concentration, decaf coffee has a lot to offer!

1. Decaf coffee is lower in acidity.

Decaf coffee is often thought of as being less tasty and weaker than regular coffee. But decaf coffee actually has a lower acidity than regular coffee. This makes it easier on the stomach for you if you have a sensitive stomach or want to try to avoid heartburn.

That’s a plus one for decaf coffee, but doesn’t regular coffee have quite a few health benefits? Does decaffeination take any of those away? The good news is that decaf coffee still has those self-same health benefits as a cup of regular coffee. Decaf is still a great source of antioxidants and can also help to improve brain function. 

I Love Decaf’s decaf coffees are roasted with the same skill and ground with the same care you’d exercise for regular beans, so our decaf coffee can be just as tasty and enjoyable as regular coffee. So, if you are looking for a way to enjoy the benefits of coffee without the caffeine, decaf coffee is a great option.

2. Decaf coffee has the same health benefits as regular coffee.

There are many reasons to switch to decaf coffee, even if you’re not trying to cut down on caffeine. As we already mentioned, decaf coffee has the same health benefits as regular coffee, including a reduced risk of diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Decaf coffee is also just as effective as regular coffee at improving mood and reducing stress levels. So if you’re looking for a way to relax and improve your mood, decaf coffee is a great choice.

And if you’re worried about the taste of decaf coffee, there’s no need to worry. With I Love Decaf’s brewing methods, decaf coffee can be just as full of flavour as regular coffee. So if you’re looking for a delicious and healthy beverage, decaf coffee, again, is the perfect choice.

3. Decaf coffee is a good source of antioxidants.

I Love Decaf’s decaf coffee is a brilliant source of antioxidants, which are important for many reasons. Antioxidants help to protect your cells from damage, and they also have been linked to lower risks of some chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Decaf coffee also contains other beneficial nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals.

Decaf coffee is available in many different roasts and grinds

There are many different types of decaf coffee available on I Love Decaf. You can find decaf coffee as whole beans or a variety of grinds tailor-made to different kinds of coffee-masking equipment and in medium, and dark roasts. This means that you can find a decaf coffee that suits your taste preferences.

If you find that regular coffee makes you feel jittery or anxious, decaf coffee is the way to go. It has the same flavour and aroma as regular coffee, but without the caffeine. This means that you can enjoy your coffee without having to worry about the side effects of caffeine.

Decaf coffee is available in many different roasts and grinds, so there’s bound to be one that suits your taste. If you’re looking for a decaf coffee that tastes great and doesn’t sacrifice flavour, try one of these.

Orizaba Mountain Coffee (Swiss Water Style)

A full bodied with well-developed texture and sweetness, this exceptional Mexican coffee uses the crystal-clear spring water from the country’s highest mountain – Pico de Orizaba – to first steam the green coffee beans, then wash them free of caffeine. 

Luxe Organic Swiss Water Honduran Decaf Coffee

Medium sweet, nutty roast with a fuller body, this brew from the Central American home of beautiful coffee is organic, Fairtrade and decaffeinated usibng the chemical-free Swiss Water decaf method. The coffee itself is grown at high altitude in the rain forests of Honduras. 

Happy Medium Roasted Decaf Coffee and Everyday Italiana Decaf Coffee

Our two great everyday decaf coffee blends are perfect brews from first thing to late night (remember: they won’t keep you awake).

Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf Coffee

Our Swiss Water Brazilian is made from the best arabica beans grown in the perfect climate. A bold and satisfyingly smooth coffee with notes of rich dark chocolate.

Time and energy

While some people might think decaf coffee is a waste of time and energy, there are actually quite a few reasons to give it a try. For one, decaf coffee still has many of the same health benefits as regular coffee, so you can enjoy those without having to worry about the caffeine jitters. Additionally, decaf coffee is more forgiving on your stomach and won’t keep you up at night the way regular coffee can. And lastly, with the right preparation, decaf coffee can be just as delicious as its caffeinated counterpart. So if you’re looking to cut back on your caffeine intake or simply want to mix things up, be sure to give I Love Decaf’s decaf coffee a chance!

Top 10 ways to recycle decaf coffee grounds

Decaf coffee hacks, Science of Coffee, AdvicePublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on Top 10 ways to recycle decaf coffee grounds

If you’re like most people, you probably throw away coffee grounds after each cup or every pot. It is smarter, after all, than your natural inclination, which is to throw it down the sink.

But did you know that you can use those grounds to improve your life in a number of ways? Here is our top ten of the best: 

1. Use them as an organic fertiliser. 

Coffee is a good plant food because it’s high in nitrogen and provides a boost to the growth of plants. Add some ground coffee to your soil before planting your plants and watch them grow more vigorously than usual.

2. Clean your windows with coffee grounds. 

Not only does this get rid of dirt and dust, but the grounds also have a cleaning effect on glass. Simply sprinkle some of those grounds on a cloth and wipe the glass clean.

3. Make natural ant-infestation killers with coffee grounds. 

Coffee is a natural flea killer, and its acidic properties help deter ants from establishing colonies. Just place some ground coffee inside small bowls or cups and place them near areas where ants are active.

4. Add grounds to your compost. 

Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen and electrolytes, which help promote microbial growth in compostable materials. 

5. Use your coffee grounds as mulch. 

Back out in the garden with summers getting hotter and drier, a layer of mulch in your flower or vegetable beds saves what water you can use in the garden from evaporating away. Coffee grounds are an excellent mulch and full of nutrients as well.

6. Use the decaf grounds to scrub pots and pans. 

Coffee Grounds work well as a scrubber because they are abrasive and have a ridged texture. 

7. Keep your path clear of snow.

Coffee grounds can be spread on icy paths and pavements, melting the ice and snow. The gritty texture of the grounds will also guard against slipping up by providing some traction. Coffee’s chemical make-up will prevent it from freezing in a similar way to road grit.

8. Getting rid of nasty smells.

Coffee grounds work as well as baking soda to get rid of pongs in your fridge. The same nitrogen that is good for your garden soil has an ability to absorb the foul smell of sulphur, among other dodgy scents. 

9. As an exfoliant you will never see in a TV advert for £150 face-cream.

Coffee grounds are similar to sand in texture and can be used as a natural skin scrubber. You can use them directly on your skin as an exfoliant and to clean clogged pores or make them into a loose exfoliating bar with water. Because you’re worth it.

10. As a kitchen condiment.

Coffee could be considered as a staple for most kitchens, but it also has a number of culinary applications, including in cooking. For instance, coffee grounds are often used as a smoky topping for meats like brisket or steak. Coffee grounds are also required ingredients for barbecue sauces and for rubbing meat. What is more, coffee is acidic, which tenderizes meat and breaks down nutrients.

Orizaba Mountain Water or Swiss Water Decaf Coffee: Which Tastes Best?

Caffeine free, Coffee tasting, Decaf coffee, AdvicePublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on Orizaba Mountain Water or Swiss Water Decaf Coffee: Which Tastes Best?

OK: A taste retest of two similar-sounding coffees on an over-warm day at the nub end of a July heatwave? Are you kidding me?

It’s one of the privileges of being a minion of a coffee company that you get to try out the goods. But you know what happens, right? You pour cup after cup of the Everyday Italiana Decaf and it’s so good it becomes the first, last and always cup of the day. A satisfying, amenable, comfy coffee that weaves itself into the afternoon as much as it unzipped the morning.

But what’s this? Word comes down from the top, El DeCaffito himself, that customers have asked him about our Brasilia Swiss Water and Orizaba Mountain Water Decafs. What are the differences? Which tastes nicest when? 

Your stash of Everyday Italiana Decaf is confiscated, and you are ordered on an expedition of discovery. To scale and survey the rainforests of Brazil, the mountain scenery of Switzerland and Mexico and come back with an explorer’s account of your findings. For Decaf. For humanity.

Actually, the memo looked like this.

swiss water coffee memo

It’s pointless telling you that drinking coffee for a living holds any high drama or jeopardy, so we’ll take off our hiking boots, straw Panamas, put down the machetes and get on with it. 

Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf vs Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf: The rules. 

We hand-ground both Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf beans and Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf Coffee beans in two separate grinds. A medium grind for a French press and a fine grind for an espresso-style from a moka pot. We had to be sure not to overgrind the French press in case it over brewed in the cafetière and, likewise, sufficiently grind the espresso so its brief rendezvous with super-heated steam water in the moka pot would develop the brew enough. There’s a whole art to grinding, detailed right here on the Ground Zero blog. 

Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf Coffee

This should be the bolder of our two beans and it scored well, particularly from the Moka pot. It has a slightly richer roast with that caramelised chocolate note running right through the liquid. It produced a nice crema, and we would challenge anyone to call this a decaf in a blind tasting. It has enough body to make it taste full and substantial, with the flavour oils front and centre of the brew.

The French press cup was more laid back, but had equally delicious notes, not so much caramelised but still dark enough to make a satisfying drink.

No mistake, this is everything promised by Swiss Water decaffeination – all the original flavour is still there, everything except over 99% of the caffeine.

Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf Coffee

On paper – as it is on the packaging – Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf Coffee is a slightly lighter roast than the Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf coffee. The water in this case comes from the glacial meltwater streams on Mexico’s highest mountain, Pico de Orizaba. Other than that, the origin of the beans and the difference in roast, the process is very similar to Swiss Water. Once again, then, we expect great things from our Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf Coffee.

It did not disappoint us. Even after the truly excellent Brasilia Swiss Water decaf, our Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf shone in the Moka pot brew review. It’s lighter and has some of that chocolate goodness, but also fruit and a honey-like nutty sweetness. This is less bold than the Brazilian Swiss Water decaf, but rounder and just as satisfying.

The French press gave us cause for thought though. Steeped for a few minutes in the cafetière, we found a subtly more developed fruit and nut note than we had from the Moka pot, as if the chocolatey-ness had moved over and let it through. We went back for more from the French press but, as Sheryl Crow and Cat Stevens might sing, the first cup was the deepest.

Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf vs Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf: The result.

Both coffees are magnificent, but as there can only be one winner…

No, scrub that. 

What surprised us was the Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf Coffee’s performance in the French press. This reviewer prefers espresso style, but the cafetière version of Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf revealed a lot of hidden nuances in the flavour, so Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf gets the vote for the French press. Brasilia was not far behind, however.

The bolder roast of the Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf did very well in the frankly terrifying environs of the Moka pot and came out in one piece, so to speak, with its trousers on. After all the gurgling and percolating, it delivered a satisfying full punch of flavour.

Going Decaf and Fighting the 3pm Slump

Science of caffeine, Caffeine free, World of Coffee, Advice, RantPublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on Going Decaf and Fighting the 3pm Slump

One of the over-touted benefits of caffeine is as a pick-me-up – a stimulant that sharpens the mind and gets stuff done. While caffeine consumption revolves around these ‘accepted facts’, caffeine’s superpowers in the war on snoozing turns out to be over-played at best and completely fictitious at worst. 

Going Decaf and Fighting the 3pm Slump

So, now you’ve gone decaf, how do you overcome the mid-afternoon mountain of doom that is the 3pm slump? The answer is all in the mind or, rather, the brain.

The brain is a brat. Your brain, my brain, your bosses’ brains are all self-obsessed, entitled, lazy bags of porridge comfortable with the high-life and quick fixes. You wouldn’t vote for your brain in a ballot if the only alternative was a brown paper sack of self-aware mashed potatoes. 

The brain’s biggest character defect is that it knows its own mind and is very uncomfortable changing it. All those gallons of caffeine it’s been swimming in your whole life, along with the sugar, the processed carbs and all the other quick hits, are what it’s used to. And it wants more. Your craving brain demands you run it a warm bath of cosy slop to hang around in every day. 

But you can challenge it. The brat can be changed. You already did by going decaf. A day or so of brain ache and things soon got better. Now it’s halfway through the afternoon and you’re feeling a bit limp, your brain wants you to run the bath as usual. Just once, for old time’s sake.

How to Avoid the Mid-Afternoon Slump Without Caffeine

As obstinate and lazy as a brain is, it’s also easy to out-wit. The best way out of the 3pm slump is a distraction, a change of pace, a new focus. Making your brain work in a different way means it will start making its own good time chemistry without all those artificial quick fixes. 

  • Get out of the office for a breath of fresh air, a bit of exercise. Exercise improves blood flow, helps brain chemistry and is more effective than caffeine at improving your alertness and focus.
  • Take a break. Sounds straightforward enough, but we don’t mean a sandwich at your desk, take a proper break away from your work environment, take in a view
  • Fire up your music player with high energy sounds or something you can completely shift your focus onto. We know at least one CEO who goes even further and takes his cello into his office. That’s probably not suitable for a cubicle worker but if you’re remote working, something similar might be the ticket to get away from the grind.
  • Give in. Surrendering to a crafty nap might be the best thing. We are programmed for the mid-afternoon siesta,and you will definitely feel better and the longer you sleep, the longer it will last. The so-called ‘power nap’ of 10-15 minutes can recharge you for a few hours, while getting in 90 minutes of sleep will allow your brain to experience all phases of light, REM and deep sleep. Deep sleep is where our brains consolidate memory, experience and learning. No wonder that a NASA study found a 26-minute nap improved productivity by over 30%.

Prevention is Better than the Cure

Bad sleep habits like late nights, evening snacking, and staring at screens into the evening can disrupt a night’s rest and can make us tired before we even get into work. Look after the nights and the days will look after themselves.

One last way to avoid hitting the caffeine in the afternoon is to play to your body and brain’s strengths and structure your day accordingly. We are much more mentally alert in the morning and much better at taking decisions, leaving the afternoon to practical matters and dexterity.

Decaf Deconstructed – Different Methods of Decaffeination

Decaf tea, Science of caffeine, Science, World of Coffee, Decaf coffee, Advice, I Love DecafPublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on Decaf Deconstructed – Different Methods of Decaffeination

There are five ways to decaffeinate, which one works for you?

There is a problem with tea and coffee packaging. It is stricken with an unsightly rash of trademarks and logos erupting from every available surface like zits on a pizza-faced teenager. The blemishes speak of a virtuous product; Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, sustainable, green. Separate info boxes impart details such as strength, bean, roast, blend, grind, carbon footprint and, possibly, USB compatibility. It has made shopping for hot drinks as complex and nuanced as a conference on geopolitical ethics.

We call these little reassuring information panels LoV – Logos of Virtue. They make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

This is one detail you should pay attention to, because how your tea or coffee is decaffeinated is arguably more important

There’s still room on the label – just – so why not add one more detail, the method of decaffeination? This is one detail you should pay attention to, because how your tea or coffee is decaffeinated is arguably more important than many of the other LoVs. For example, with the amount of decaf the world is consuming, how that caffeine is removed has measurable consequences for the environment. Differences in decaffeination can also affect taste and aroma. And the big one; effectiveness of decaffeination varies with each process and if you are buying decaf, it makes sense that you will want it to be as caffeine-free as possible.

The truth is that decaffeinated tea and coffee comes in a bewildering variety of forms but not all are created equal. With a decaf tea or coffee, a lot hinges on the method of its decaffeination. Which one should you choose and why does it matter?

Here comes the science bit

There are five known methods of decaffeination. The original method, which used salt water and benzene is no longer legal because of, well, benzene. In 1906, a chance discovery by German coffee merchant Ludwig Roselius resulted in the world’s first mass produced decaffeinated coffee. Although his coffee later turned out to be carcinogenic, Roselius made up for it all by his involvement in a 1943 plot to blow up Hitler. You win some, you lose some.

Which leaves us four ways of taking caffeine out of tea and coffee. 

1. Methylene Chloride Decaffeination 

Methylene chloride is bonded to caffeine molecule by molecule by soaking the tea leaves or green coffee beans. There are two methods of achieving this, directly on the beans or leaves in hot water and indirectly, where the beans or leaves are soaked in hot water to remove the caffeine and the solvent is added to the water after the beans are removed. Although ‘solvent’ and the names of most solvents sound quite scary, only the tiniest trace residue will remain on the decaf product and even that will evaporate completely over 38°C/100°F.

2. Ethyl Acetate Decaffeination 

Although ethyl acetate hardly sounds much better than the previous method, decaf produced using ethyl acetate as a solvent is sometimes touted as ‘naturally decaffeinated’ because ethyl acetate is a chemical found naturally not only in tea, but also in many fruits. The process is otherwise identical to the direct and indirect methods that use methylene chloride as a solvent. Sometimes, according to learned decafficionados, ethyl acetate decaf leaves a slight chemical taste

3. Swiss Water Decaffeination 

This non-solvent alternative decaf process extracts caffeine by a long soak in hot water, followed by filtering though activated carbon to remove the caffeine. The now-decaf water is added back to the drained beans or leaves so that they can reabsorb the oils and flavours. There are a few teas that use the Swiss Water decaf method, but it is most often used for coffee.

4. Carbon Dioxide (co2) Decaffeination 

This is the space age version of decaf. This was probably invented when boffins meant to be working on something very clever were momentarily appalled by the state of their decaf and filled whiteboards with obscure formulae and Greek symbols to come up with a solution to the second most important problem before them. We probably won’t have interstellar space travel because of this, but who cares when the decaf tastes this good?

Having said all that, it’s not that complicated. Beans or leaves are pressure cooked with carbon dioxide. In such pressure and temperature environments, carbon dioxide (co2) goes supercritical and becomes a solvent that attracts the small caffeine molecules, leaving the larger flavour molecules intact.

5. Mountain Water Method

Similar in many respects to the Swiss Water decaffeination method and widely regarded as a cut above all other decafs, the Mountain Water Process (MWP) is also sometimes called the Mexican Water Process as it uses water from that country’s highest mountain – Pico de Orizaba.

The process starts with steaming the green coffee beans which are then soaked in a water solution, which removes the caffeine along with the flavour compounds. The water is removed from the seeds and run through a carbon filter that captures caffeine molecules to strain them from the solution. The green coffee is then soaked in all the flavour compounds and reabsorb them without the caffeine.