Decaf Espresso: Enjoy The Rich Flavor Without The Jitters
Decaf espresso isn’t a gimmick; it’s a valuable tool in your coffee toolbox!
We tend to associate espresso with an extra caffeine hit, especially the traditional Italian version packed with peppy Robusta beans. But there are plenty of excellent reasons to consider decaf espresso.
Maybe you’re sensitive to caffeine, maybe you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or maybe you want an after-dinner shot that won’t keep you up all night. In any case, the same rules apply to decaf as regular espresso, and I’m here to teach you those and much more.
What Is Decaf Espresso?
Decaf espresso describes any espresso shot pulled using decaf coffee beans. Espresso beans are roasted in a way that is optimal for espresso – usually a more porous medium or dark roast. But espresso is a brewing method, not a type of coffee bean, so you can use any coffee whose flavor you enjoy.
The decaffeination process alters a coffee bean’s natural aroma and taste, but that isn’t inherently bad. A skilled roaster should be able to produce a decaf coffee every bit as delicious as a caffeinated one.
Does Decaf Espresso Have Caffeine?
The most common methods of coffee decaffeination are Swiss Water, ethyl acetate processing, or supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction (1). While effective, they only remove roughly 97 to 99 percent of the caffeine. So even decaf coffee contains traces of caffeine.
A 1-ounce decaf espresso single shot contains between 3 and 15 mg of caffeine. Double that for a double shot. For reference, a standard espresso shot contains around 60 – 80 mg of caffeine.
What Is The Point Of Decaf Espresso?
Coffee is one of the primary sources of antioxidants in the standard Western diet, with as much as 79% of our antioxidants absorbed from beverages like coffee (2).
Decaf espresso contains almost all the nutritional benefits of regular coffee without the caffeine buzz.
Related: Pros and Cons of Decaf Coffee
Who Should Drink Decaf Espresso?
Decaf espresso is ideal if you want an evening latte or cappuccino that won’t keep you up all night. Or perhaps you’re craving a shot but have already hit your recommended daily caffeine limit – 400 mg for a healthy adult.
Decaf espresso is also an excellent option for pregnant women, anyone suffering from insomnia or anxiety, and those with sensitive stomachs due to conditions like IBS. If you have questions about whether you should consume caffeine or how much you should limit your intake, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor.
How To Make Decaf Espresso
Making decaf espresso follows the same rules as regular espresso. Start with high-quality coffee beans, dial in the extraction conditions, and enjoy.
Step 1: Buy Decaf Espresso Beans
Decaf coffee has improved a lot in the past decade, so you should have no trouble finding high-quality beans for your espresso. Look for whole bean coffee that has been roasted within the last month.
Personally, I like the classic flavor profile of a medium or dark roast blend – nuts, chocolate, and fruit. But you can choose any coffee you enjoy.
Step 2: Prepare The Portafilter
Preheat your espresso machine, portafilter, and mug or demitasse.
Use a burr grinder to grind 18 grams of decaf coffee beans to a fine espresso grind. Add the ground coffee to your portafilter, ensure it is distributed evenly, and tamp firmly.
Step 3: Pull The Shot
Slot the portafilter into your espresso machine and pull an espresso shot as you would with regular espresso. The extraction should take about 25 seconds and yield between 2 and 2.5 ounces of decaf espresso.
Step 4: Dial It In
Skip this step if your decaf shot was perfect on the first try. But if the extraction was too fast and the shot tasted weak, watery, or sour, try a finer grind size. If the extraction was very slow and the espresso was overly strong and bitter, dial it back to a coarser grind.
Final Thoughts
In the coffee world, you can have your cake and eat it too. Decaf espresso is a great way to enjoy the rich aroma and full body of an afternoon espresso drink without the jitters and sleepless nights. It even contains many of the same nutritional benefits as regular coffee.
Have you found any other ways to enjoy your decaffeinated espresso? Tell me about it in the comments.
FAQs
Yes, you can make decaf cold brew. As with decaf espresso, you can use the same recipe as regular cold brew, but replace the caffeinated coffee beans with decaffeinated beans.
Caffeine is a mild stimulant commonly found in coffee, tea, and chocolate, and as an additive in soft drinks and energy drinks (3). In coffee plants, caffeine keeps away predators and attracts pollinators. In our bodies, it boosts our focus and energy, along with numerous other health benefits, but it can also cause jitteriness, anxiety, and stomach upset in some.
No, decaf espresso doesn’t raise your blood pressure. In fact, a study found that consuming decaffeinated coffee may even lower blood pressure (4). Of course, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet.
References
- Case Study: Removing caffeine from Coffee. (2019, February 2Case Study: Removing caffeine from Coffee. (2019, February 23). Chemistry LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Physical_Properties_of_Matter/States_of_Matter/Supercritical_Fluids/Case_Study%3A_Removing_caffeine_from_Coffee
- Coffee and Antioxidants: Everything You Need to Know. (2019, February 20). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coffee-worlds-biggest-source-of-antioxidant
- Caffeine. (2020, July 30). The Nutrition Source. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/caffeine/
- van Dusseldorp, M., Smits, P., Thien, T., & Katan, M. B. (1989). Effect of decaffeinated versus regular coffee on blood pressure. A 12-week, double-blind trial. Hypertension, 14(5), 563–569. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.hyp.14.5.563
