Decaf coffee can be confusing. You see “decaffeinated” on the bag and assume it is caffeine free, but then you hear people say there is still caffeine in decaf. So which is it, and how much are we really talking about? If you love the taste of coffee but want to cut back on caffeine for sleep, health, or personal preference, understanding what is actually in your cup helps you make better choices.

Ready to know the truth about decaf, how much caffeine is really hiding in your cup and whether it actually deserves a spot in your daily routine?

What Is Decaf Coffee?

Decaf coffee starts as regular coffee beans. Before roasting, the beans go through a decaffeination process that removes most of the caffeine. By law in the United States, decaf coffee must have at least 97 percent of its caffeine removed.

Typical caffeine numbers per 6 to 7 ounce cup look roughly like this: regular Arabica coffee usually has about 75 to 130 mg of caffeine, instant coffee often falls in the 40 to 100 mg range, and decaf coffee lands around 3 to 6 mg per cup.

How Is Decaf Coffee Made?

There are several ways to remove caffeine from coffee beans, but they all follow the same idea: soak the green beans, pull the caffeine out, and keep as much flavor as possible.

Common decaf methods include water based processes that use hot water and filters to remove caffeine, carbon dioxide processes that use pressurized CO₂ to pull caffeine out of the beans, and solvent based processes that use food safe solvents such as ethyl acetate or methylene chloride followed by thorough rinsing.

All of these methods are designed to meet decaf standards, which require that high percentage caffeine reduction. Good decaf is all about doing this in a way that preserves the flavor precursors in the bean so your brewed cup still tastes like real coffee, not just brown water.

So, Does Decaf Coffee Have Caffeine?

Yes. Decaf coffee still has a small amount of caffeine. Most studies put a typical 6 to 7 ounce decaf serving around 3 to 6 mg of caffeine, while a regular coffee of the same size usually ranges from 75 to 130 mg or more.

Regular coffee gives you a full caffeine dose, while decaf gives you only a trace amount. For most people, that small amount in decaf is not enough to cause jitters or interfere with sleep. But if you are extremely sensitive to caffeine, it is helpful to remember that decaf is low caffeine, not zero.

Can Decaf Coffee Keep You Awake?

For most people, a cup of decaf in the evening is totally fine. Because a decaf cup typically has only a few milligrams of caffeine, it is far less stimulating than regular coffee, energy drinks, or even many teas and sodas.

However, everyone’s sensitivity is different. If you are very sensitive, or you drink multiple decaf cups in the evening, that small caffeine amount can add up. A simple guideline: if regular coffee keeps you up for hours, decaf is usually a safer choice at night. If even tea or chocolate affects your sleep, treat decaf like a “light caffeine” drink and finish it a bit earlier in the evening.

Our Take on Decaf at Blackout Coffee

We created Low Voltage Decaf Brew for people who want all the flavor of a premium roast without the high voltage caffeine hit. It is our answer to the “I love coffee, but not at 10 pm” problem. Low Voltage Decaf is made from 100 percent Arabica beans, roasted to a medium dark profile for full body and rich flavor, and decaffeinated so you can enjoy coffee later in the day with very little caffeine.

Our goal with this decaf is simple: make a cup that tastes like real Blackout Coffee, just low caffeine enough to enjoy when you want to wind down. Many decaf coffees taste flat or hollow because of poor beans or rough processing. By starting with quality Arabica beans and roasting with the same care as our other blends, we keep the flavor front and center.

We also offer Low Voltage Decaf pods, so you can get the same decaf flavor and aroma in a single serve brewer if that is your setup at home or at the office.

When Should You Choose Decaf Coffee?

Decaf is a great option when you love the taste of coffee but want to cut back on caffeine, want a cup in the evening without feeling wired, are pregnant or sensitive to caffeine, or are following medical advice to reduce your intake. It is also useful when you have already had a few strong cups of regular coffee and just want flavor from here on out.

A lot of our customers use a mix through the day. Strong, fully caffeinated coffee in the morning, then Low Voltage Decaf in the afternoon or evening so they can keep drinking coffee without tipping over their caffeine limit. That way you do not have to choose between enjoying coffee and getting a good night’s sleep.

Final Sip: Decaf Coffee, Clear Facts

At Blackout Coffee, we take decaf seriously. Low Voltage Decaf Brew is roasted from 100 percent Arabica beans to a medium dark profile so you still get a rich, full bodied cup, just with the caffeine dialed way down. If you are trying to cut back without giving up your coffee habit, it is one of the easiest switches you can make.

And if you want to see how other coffee lovers are enjoying our decaf and regular blends, follow Blackout Coffee on Instagram and Facebook. Share your Low Voltage Decaf moments and tag us; we love seeing how our coffee fits into your day and your night.