Skip to main content

Does decaf espresso exist? Here’s what to know

Strong coffee flavor without the caffeine

Espresso cup with a book and coffee beans
Engin Akyurt / Pexels

Espresso is illustrious for its bold and strong taste, crafted by forcing hot water under high pressure to create a concentrated”shot.”  Yet, what makes espresso unique is its brewing method, which differs significantly from making coffee with an automatic drip coffee maker. Espresso’s rich, concentrated taste is not dependent on its caffeine content but rather results from its small serving size and quick, pressurized brewing process.

Ultimately, the difference is not in the beans themselves but in how they are brewed. Both espresso and coffee begin with the same coffee beans. However, many are shocked to find decaf espresso on a coffee shop menu. Like decaf coffee, a decaf espresso shot begins with coffee beans stripped of their caffeine.

Recommended Videos

What is decaf espresso?

decaf espresso
Nathan Dumlao / Unsplash

Decaf espresso is an espresso shot made with decaffeinated coffee beans. Typically, dark roast coffees make espresso shots, so decaf espresso is typically crafted from dark roast decaf beans. However, medium or light roasts may also be used. Selecting decaf espresso over traditional allows coffee drinkers to enjoy espresso’s bold, concentrated deliciousness without the caffeine kick.

The buzz and hype around espresso shots often leave many questioning whether decaf espresso exists. This questioning is warranted, especially since decaf espresso is not an option that coffee shops and roasteries frequently market. However, the beans used to brew decaf espresso are no different than those used to brew regular decaf coffee. The difference is only in how the coffee beans are brewed. Understanding this fundamental difference opens up a whole new world of possibilities, allowing you to opt for decaf espresso over decaf coffee to enjoy a bolder, more concentrated drink.

Is decaf espresso caffeine-free?

cup of espresso
Victor Freitas / Pexels

Just like regular decaf coffee is not 100% caffeine-free, decaf espresso also contains small amounts of caffeine. The decaffeination process of coffee beans removes about 97% of the caffeine from the beans, leaving trace amounts behind. While a small amount of caffeine will remain in your decaf espresso order, chances are you won’t notice.

A standard espresso shot contains about 63 milligrams of caffeine, whereas a decaf espresso shot may have between 2 and 5 mg. This negligible amount of caffeine is unlikely to produce side effects or interact with any medications. However, some ultra-sensitive coffee drinkers might still need to limit the amount of decaf espresso they consume.

Why do people drink decaf espresso?

espresso pressIn the mind of a caffeine addict, choosing decaf espresso can seem questionable. After all, isn’t the whole point of drinking espresso for a quick caffeine boost? While some may drink espresso to get a fast jolt of energy, others enjoy espresso for its rich, concentrated taste.

Drinking decaf espresso allows coffee drinkers who love the taste to enjoy espresso beverages, such as an Americano, in a decaf variety. This is a good option for afternoon coffee drinkers who don’t want to consume too much caffeine late in the day. It’s also a good option for coffee drinkers sensitive to caffeine’s side effects (such as caffeine jitters or anxiety) or individuals taking medicine that cannot be combined with caffeine.

Finding decaf espresso at coffee shops

Despite the many reasons to opt for decaf espresso, finding it at coffee shops is often more challenging than you’d think. Decaf espresso is popular, yet not popular enough to be listed on menu boards at coffee shops. When ordering at large coffee shop chains such as Dunkin’ or Starbucks, you’ll find “decaf espresso” listed on the mobile app when customizing your drink. This customization makes it easy to order either straight shots of decaf espresso or espresso beverages, such as a latte, in a decaf variety. If you find yourself at smaller, local coffee shops, you may need to ask if decaf espresso is an option for your order. Any coffee shop that has decaf beans should be able to brew decaf espresso.

Does decaf espresso taste different?

Americano coffee on a wooden table
Karolina Grabowska / Pexels

All coffee beans begin with caffeine in their natural state. To make decaf coffee beans, they must undergo a decaffeination process, which is commonly done either through the Swiss Coffee method or a direct-contact decaffeination method. These processes help the coffee beans retain as much flavor as possible. However, some coffee connoisseurs may notice slight differences in taste between regular coffee beans and decaf coffee beans.

For the average espresso drinker, decaf espresso shots will mostly resemble a regular espresso shot. There’s a good chance you may not even be able to taste any difference. However, the flavor of decaf espresso shots can vary depending on the type of decaf coffee beans used. Decaf beans that have undergone a decaffeination process using chemical components may have been slightly stripped of their flavor. Choosing high-quality coffee beans will help make decaf espresso more closely resemble regular espresso.

Emily Caldwell
Emily is a freelance journalist with a focus on food, travel, health, and fitness content. She loves to travel to new…
Luckin Coffee opens in NYC, bringing its Starbucks rivalry to the U.S.
The first two U.S. locations of this Asia-based coffee chain are now open
Luckin Coffee

Starbucks appears to have a new rival in town in the U.S. market. The first two US locations of China's fastest-growing coffee chain, Luckin Coffee, are now open in NYC. Luckin' Coffee opened two NYC locations yesterday: Greenwich Village near the NYU campus and NoMad. Founded in 2017, Luckin' Coffee has taken off across China, catering to younger guests in China, Singapore, and Malaysia. The chain has over 24,000 locations across Asia but has entered the U.S. market. The chain is known for its simplified menu and "bare-bones" stores, which accept only cashless payments and mobile orders.
For the launch of the first two U.S. locations, Luckin announced steep promotions such as $1.99 drink deals and 50% off beverages for the grand opening, as well as free tote bags for the first guests to enter the store. The menu at this Asia-based coffee shop offers everything U.S. coffee and tea drinkers are used to, from cold brew coffees to matcha drinks to flavored lattes. The menu also includes a small selection of light bites and pastries. Per the brand's website, Luckin Coffee uses only the finest Arabica coffee beans that are sourced directly from renowned coffee-producing regions. Other menu specialty coffees include the Apple Fizzy Americano and Pomelo Americano.
Though Luckin may only have two U.S. locations at the moment, rumours suggest the brand plans to expand quickly in the U.S. market. With low prices and an app-based model, the chain can keep prices low and could soon become a strong competitor for Starbucks.

Read more
Do coffee pods expire? Here’s what the pros say
When to toss coffee pods from your pantry
coffee pods

The convenience of coffee pods is undeniable — with no dosing, scooping, or mess, coffee pods deliver a fast and easy way to get your caffeine fix without the hassle. Yet all coffee pods, from the Nespresso Vertuo pods to the standard K-Cups, contain regular ground coffee inside the casing (even though you can't see it). With that in mind, do coffee pods have an expiration date? I know I've wondered this question before, especially after pulling out bags of K-Cups from my pantry that've seemingly been there for ages. Let's break down the answers to everything you've wondered about "Do coffee pods expire?"
Do coffee pods expire?

Drew Pond, Co-Owner of Stone Creek Coffee, gives us the short answer we probably already knew: yes, coffee pods expire. "They're not Twinkies. Most are stamped with a “best by” date about 8 to 12 months out, but let’s be clear: that’s not a magic number. The flavor starts to fade way before that if you're not using the right pods or storing them correctly. Coffee is full of delicate oils, compounds, and aromatics that fade over time, especially in single-serve formats," he says.

Read more
Purity Coffee unveils Brazilian cold brew for home brewing
A new clean coffee blend designed specific for cold brewing
Purity Coffee Cold Brew

Health-focused coffee company, Purity Coffee, has just released its latest innovation: Cold Brew. The new Cold Brew is a single-origin Brazilian coffee, specially crafted for cold brewing at home. Purity Coffee is known for its high-end, mold-free coffee—this blend, which uses beans rich in antioxidants and prebiotic compounds. The latest cold brew blend is designed explicitly with gut health in mind, setting a new standard in health-conscious coffee. Available in whole bean or ground coffee, the new Purity Coffee Cold Brew blend is a medium-roast coffee with tasting notes of cocoa nibs and peanut butter.

The Purity Coffee Cold Brew, now available online, can be easily used with any of your favorite at-home cold brew methods. Just steep for at least 6 to 7 hours to ensure maximum flavor extraction, as well as the extraction of caffeine and antioxidants. This coffee blend, along with all products by Purity Coffee, undergoes rigorous third-party testing for mycotoxins, impurities, and other contaminants, leading to the best-tasting cup of coffee. As health-conscious coffee consumption continues to rise, coffee drinkers are increasingly paying attention to potential toxins and mold that can be present in their coffee. As a regular cold brew drinker, I'm especially excited about this new release by Purity Coffee.

Read more