Almost all of us have been there; the jitters, the nervousness, the anxiety… all due to a caffeine overdose. Cutting back on caffeine is hard, so what you can do is put your Keurig to good use by making decaf coffee for yourself, using the best decaf K-cups you can get your hands on. The following products will give you great coffee, minus the caffeine:
The Best Decaf K-Cups In 2020
| PRODUCT | PIECES | BEST FOR | HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES |
 SF Bay Coffee Compatible |
80 | Best Overall |
|
|
72 | Best Value |
|
 Newman’s Own Organics Special Blend Decaf |
72 | Best Medium |
|
|
36 | Best Medium-Light |
|
1. SF Bay Coffee Compatible
Highlighted Features
- Dark roast
- 80 count
- Notes of malted chocolate
- Commercially compostable
San Francisco Bay has come up with their ‘one cups’ but they are totally compatible with your Keurig and you can use them as K-cups with all single-serve brewers. These cups are not in a plastic casing, like most K-cups, but are in pod-like encasings of filter paper which, including the plant-sourced ring, is commercially compostable. The beans used are Kosher certified and 100% Arabica and each pod contains 11 grams of coffee.
The beans are water-processed decaffeinated and have a dark roast. The coffee has a bold, rich and intense blend, so you can have decaf coffee without compromising on the taste. The tasting notes are dark brown sugar, malted chocolate, and a creamy, smoky finish.
A slight problem with these ‘one cups’ is that they may clog the machine, but it is a small price to pay for going green. What is better than knowing that your coffee doesn’t come at the cost of damaging the planet? All you have to do is take a little bit extra care of your coffee maker, and you can have delicious, decaf coffee that comes in compostable packaging. Not only are you taking care of your body by taking less caffeine, but you are also taking care of the environment by using eco-friendly pods.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- French roast
- Strong coffee
- Compatible with Keurig 2.0
Cons
- May clog the Keurig
2. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Pods
Highlighted Features
- Light roast
- Arabica beans
- 72 count
- Kosher Certified
- No additives
These traditional-style K-cups have a plastic exterior and the interior is lined with a coffee filter. Each cup has fresh ground coffee. The beans are sourced from Central America and Indonesia, which brings a citrusy taste and depth and sweetness respectively. The beans have Orthodox Union Kosher certification and are 100% Arabica. Even though the Green Mountain K-cups are made of plastic, the manufacturers try to be selective in their careful sourcing and roasting to support small farms and to protect the environment.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters have a reputation for delicious coffee, and they deliver on that. The light roast of the beans gives the coffee a brighter look and more of the flavour of the area from which they are sourced. It also makes the coffee less bitter. According to Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, the coffee has a ‘balanced sweetness, nutty flavour, and a silky mouthfeel’. It makes a great cup of joe for breakfast, and, as the people at Green Mountain say, is at least 97% caffeine-free.
However, some people have faced problems with clogging. The pod may burst, causing your Keurig to clog up with the grounds. All you have to do is clean your machine regularly and make sure you put in the K cup the right way.
Pros
- Great value
- Crisp acidity
- Light roast
- 72-count
- Kosher Certified
Cons
- May clog the Keurig
3. Newman’s Own Organics Special Blend Decaf
Highlighted Features
- Medium roast
- Arabica beans
- Kosher Certified
- 72-count
- Fair-trade certified
Newman’s Own has come up with a decaffeinated coffee the beans of which are sourced from Central America and Indonesia. The package contains 6 packs of 12 K-cups, and so you end up with a total of 72 cups. The coffee is Kosher certified and also has Fair Trade Certification. The cups can be used with all single-serve brewers by Keurig.
The beans from Central America are medium roasted while those from Indonesia are of a bit darker roast, and this careful blend gives it a robust body to which you can add any amount of sugar and cream and its taste will not be compromised. The Water Process decaffeination that these beans are put through lets you have a great cup of coffee without any jitters.
By drinking this coffee, in addition to looking after your body, you are also looking after the farmers who strive in the fields. The Fair Trade certification that Newman’s Own comes with means that the farmers are paid fairly which leads to them having a better lifestyle and a better crop as well since they can invest in their fields.
Pros
- Kosher certification
- Fair Trade certification
- Medium roast
- Water Process decaffeination
- Sourced from Central America and Indonesia
Cons
- May be too bitter for some
4. The Organic Coffee Co. Gorilla DECAF
Highlighted Features
- Uses less plastic
- Water Process decaffeination
- Full-city roast
- USDA-organic
- Compostable pods
The Organic Coffee Co. have a slightly different version of the K cup – the OneCup. If this sounds familiar to you, it’s because the San Francisco Bay pods mentioned earlier are the same, which is because they are owned by the same family. These pods are totally compostable and are compatible with all single-serve brewers. So even if these cups look different than traditional K-cups, they work more or less the same. The pod has a one-way valve, an eco-friendly ring that has a plant-based construction, and a filtering pouch. The whole thing is commercially compostable, and the manufacturers advise you to not try to compost at home.
The cups count at 36 and are certified USDA organic. The beans have been sourced from Central America and are Kosher certified as well. The freshly ground coffee is 100% Arabica. The medium-light blend is mild and smooth. The Gorilla Decaf offers you creamy tasting notes of milky chocolate and brown spice.
The beans are natural water processed decaffeinated, which means no artificial means have been employed to get your cup of joe to you. The Rogers family is dedicated to working in favour of the environment and also takes social responsibility of the farms and the farmers that work for them. This means that the farmers are well taken care of, with a good quality of life.
Pros
- Kosher Certified
- Water processed decaffeinated
- Eco-friendly
- Medium-light roast
- USDA organic
Cons
- 36-count
5. Eight O’Clock Coffee The Original Decaf
Highlighted Features
- Medium roast
- Sourced from Colombia
- 72-count
- Fruity tasting notes
- Roasted in Maryland
Eight O’Clock has come with a delicious blend that comes in traditional-looking K-cups made of plastic and aluminum. The beans have been sourced from Colombia and have been roasted in Maryland under strict supervision and guidelines. The cups are compatible with all Keurig K cup brewers, and you can probably use them with all single-serve brewing machines. The coffee is 100% Arabica and has Kosher certification. You get 72 K-cups in a package.
These K-cups make a blend that has sweet, fruity notes and a robust body, and is overall well-balanced. The careful medium roast of the beans, carried out in rigorously controlled batches in Maryland, sets the scale perfectly between body and acidity.
The people at Eight O’Clock have been the makers of fine coffee since 1859. The beans are carefully selected and then roasted to perfect levels before being packaged in a way that keeps the freshness intact. This leads them to hire only the very best, which allows you to have the perfect, steaming cup.
Pros
- Medium roast
- Well-balanced tones
- Acidity balanced out by body
- Kosher Certified
- Arabica beans
Cons
- Keurig may overflow during the brewing cycle
6. Starbucks Decaf Pike Place Roast
Highlighted Features
- Medium roast
- Arabica beans
- Kosher Certified
- Available in multiple counts
- Compatible with Keurig 2.0
Starbucks is known to source its beans from the three prime places where coffee is harvested: Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and Africa. Their coffee is chiefly Arabica so it’s not very harsh or bitter.
Your favourite go-to coffee place has come with these delicious K-cups sans caffeine, so you can have a yummy cup even at night without compromising your beauty sleep. The original Pike Place roast by Starbucks was introduced in 2008 and has a rich taste and a bold flavour, rendered to it by a blend of dark beans. The Pike Place Decaf, however, offers you all that without the addition of caffeine. The coffee has delicious-tasting notes of nuts and cocoa, all mixed together to give a buttery, toasted taste.
The best thing about these cups is that they are available in 24-count, 72-count, and even 96-count. They are compatible with all Keurig-style single-serve brewers, especially the Keurig 2.0. Since many K-cups don’t work all that well with the 2.0, this is a good plus point.
Pros
- Arabica coffee
- Available in multiple counts
- Compatible with Keurig 2.0
- Rich tasting tones
Cons
- Pods have come crushed in some cases
7. The Original Donut Shop Decaf
Highlighted Features
- Kosher Certified
- Bold overtones
- A pod contains comparatively more coffee
- No artificial additives
The traditional K-cups by The Original Donut Shop are plastic and aluminum, and look much the same as their brothers by other manufacturers. The difference lies in the quantity of coffee within. According to the manufacturers, each K cup contains more coffee than other K-cups. Maybe this is what accounts for these cups being a bit higher in cost than other K-cups.
The Original Donut Shop Decaf has a decaffeinated blend that is neither bitter nor harsh. The beans have a medium roast, which gives the brew an excellent balance that is ideally placed between body and acidity. The extra amount of coffee in each K cup leads to the brew being extra bold, so you have a full-bodied cup of coffee with no caffeine… win-win!
The beans used for this coffee are 100% Arabica so your drink will not have any grainy overtones, as is sometimes seen in Robusta beans.
Pros
- Kosher Certified
- Medium roast
- Extra coffee in the pods
- Can brew up to 12 oz
Cons
- A bit pricey
8. Barista Prima Coffeehouse
Highlighted Features
- Arabica
- Dark roast
- 96-count
- Keurig 2.0 compatible
These K-cups by Barista Prima are filled with freshly ground 100% Arabica beans, sourced from Colombia. Since Colombia has the perfect climate for coffee cultivation, the taste of this coffee is rich and mild. The beans are Kosher certified as well. The K-cups are perfect for all single-serve brewers and are also compatible with the Keurig 2.0. The package has a 96-count.
The beans have an Italian roast, or a dark roast, which is the stage where the bans pass the second crack. This roast gives the beans a very dark brown surface that is shiny due to the oil that has been released during the high roasting. The Barista Prime decaf blend has tasting notes of ripe fruit and berries and is a full-bodied brew that has been rendered smoky due to the dark roast.
Pros
- Arabica beans
- Kosher certification
- Ripe fruit and berries notes
- Compatible with a lot of Keurig brewers
Cons
- Might be too ‘burnt’ for some
9. Peet’s Coffee Decaf House Blend
Highlighted Features
- Kosher Certified
- Dark roast
- Arabica beans
- Sourced from Latin America
Peet’s decaffeinated blend has 100% Arabica beans and is Kosher certified. The beans have been sourced from Latin America, one of the finest places in the world in terms of coffee cultivation.
The coffee has a full body and lively and sweet notes, all enveloped in the smokiness given to it by its dark roast. Peet’s makes sure that the beans are roasted in small batches, which allows them to reach an even, deep roast level that brings you their signature taste. The coffee tastes crisp and pleasantly spicy and has, according to the manufacturer, more complexity than almost any other brand!
Pros
- Kosher Certified
- Dark roast
- Spicy and crisp
- Lively and sweet notes
Cons
- The cup might crush in some brewers
Things To Look For Before Buying!
K-cups have made life really easy, but what is a bit difficult is getting some of these into your kitchen. There are literally so many available that sometimes your head starts to spin because you just can’t decide exactly which one you should buy.
When buying decaf K-cups, look for:
- Number of cups
- Roast level
- Flavor
- Filter
- Ease of use
Buying Guide
Getting To Know K-Cups Inside Out
K-cups are a great invention, especially for people who like a quick cup of coffee. If you are new to these cute little pods that make you a single serving of coffee at the push of a button, or maybe you’ve been using these cups for ages but don’t really know much about them, here is some helpful information for you.
Are K-Cups Bad For You?
Generally, K-cups are made of plastic, while there is a very small number of manufacturers who make them with as little plastic as possible and what little plastic they use is plant-based, which makes the entire pod commercially compostable.
Those who make their cups chiefly of plastic use BPA-free materials which generally meet the FDA standards, but there are some studies that show that even BPA-free plastic can leech out harmful chemicals when exposed to too much heat. Since a K cup’s function involves being flooded with scalding-hot water, it is exposed to a lot of heat that can release harmful chemicals that cause havoc in your body. Just to be on the safe side, avoid going overboard with your K-cup usage.
How Much Coffee Is In A K-Cup?
Normally, one K cup has anywhere between 9 to 12 grams of coffee. To make a proper cup of coffee, experts suggest that you use about two tablespoons, or 10 grams, for every 6 ounces of water. So your 9-12 g K cup should make somewhere between 6 to 8 ounces of coffee.
How Can You Make Your K-Cups Taste Better?
You may be faced with a situation where you enjoy using K-cups to make your coffee, you like the whole process of putting in the little plastic cup, pushing the button and watching the coffee tricking out in a heartbeat, except that when you taste the coffee it makes you gag. Having a weak cup of coffee is one of the worst experiences one can have. You will be happy to know that to make your K cup taste great you can do some things.
You can try to make a cup of coffee with a lower-ounce setting. Using less water to make a K cup will give your coffee more strength. If, however, you find that a lower-ounce setting gives you barely enough coffee that fails to satisfy, what you can do is use two K-cups to brew yourself a single cup. This way, you will have a cup of coffee that is not only ample enough to satisfy your craving but is also strong and full.
What Type Of Water Should You Use In Your Keurig?
Keurig advises you to not use distilled water to make your coffee. Distilled water lacks a lot of essential nutrients, which results in flat coffee. This can also make your coffee taste metallic. You should always try to use filtered or bottled water in your Keurig which, apart from making a great cup of coffee, will also minimize scale build-up in your machine.
To keep your brewer in top condition, you should descale it every 3 to 6 months. Regular cleaning and care will extend the life of your appliance and it will continue to serve you superbly for years to come.
Can You Use The Same K-Cup Twice?
Brief answer: Yes, you can use the same K cup twice. But you should only do that if you like having coffee-flavoured hot water. Also, once the coffee has been subjected to hot water, the flavour has flushed out. When you try to get some more flavour out of it, you’ll only get a thin, watery and bitter brew that is good only for tossing down the drain.
They are designed for use in ‘single-serve’ brewers for a reason. Use them once, and throw them away.
How Much Caffeine Does A Decaf K-Cup Contain?
For decaffeination, international standards demand that at least 97% caffeine must be removed from the coffee in order for it to be called ‘decaffeinated’. Decaf K-cups also meet this criterion, with some having even less than 3% caffeine. Basically, a decaf cup of coffee, per 8 ounces, will have anywhere between 2 to 4 milligrams of caffeine.
Brewer compatibility
Some brewers don’t accept some K-cups, which is kind of problematic. However, manufacturers have understood the demands of consumers and now the market is flooded with K-cups that are compatible with all single-serve coffee brewers. When Keurig 2.0 was launched, it created compatibility issues for a lot of people as it wasn’t compatible with a lot of the K-cups out there. Since then, K-cups have been tweaked in terms of design and now brewer compatibility is not much of a problem.
All things decaf
Since we are talking about decaf K-cups, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at decaffeination: the process, health concerns, etc. Health concerns are important, as many people are advised by their doctors to cut back on caffeine due to certain health problems.
Decaffeination process
The decaffeination process of coffee needs a ‘solvent’, something to which the caffeine binds itself as soon as it leaves the beans. Now, caffeine is a water-soluble substance and it can be argued that why does one need a chemical solvent if something as pure and natural as water can be used? The answer to that is that water takes in other of the around 100 chemicals present in coffee, in addition to caffeine. This makes the coffee weak, flat and undrinkable. For this reason, a chemical solvent must be employed to get the caffeine out of the beans.
Coffee is decaffeinated through 4 methods, two of which are solvent-based while the other two are non-solvent-based. The solvent-based methods can be classified as direct and indirect. The beans come in direct contact with the solvent in the former, and there is no direct beans-to-solvent contact in the latter.
The non-solvent-based methods can be classified into two types, namely the Swiss Water Process and the CO2 Process. The Swiss Water Process involves soaking the beans in very hot water and then using the water containing all the chemicals and caffeine from the coffee to extract caffeine from a fresh batch of beans. This way, the already saturated water will not leach out flavours from the coffee, just the caffeine. This process yields coffee that is 99.9% decaffeinated.
Another more costly process is the CO2 process. This process binds CO2 to caffeine under high pressure, without bonding with the flavour molecules. The caffeine-rich gas is then pumped out and pumped back into the system after being decaffeinated.
Is Decaf Coffee Completely Free Of Caffeine?
As discussed earlier, decaf coffee should be 97% caffeine-free, at the very least, in order to qualify for being ‘decaf’. Many solvent-based processes yield this type of decaffeination, but the Swiss Water Process yields coffee that is 99.9% free of caffeine. The 0.1% of caffeine left behind is so negligible a quantity that you can say it is completely free of caffeine.
Is Decaf Coffee Healthy?
Coffee, in general, is healthy for you. It contains a lot of antioxidants that are really good for your health. A lot of the benefits of coffee are linked directly to caffeine, so decaf coffee is supposedly less beneficial, but if you have issues with blood pressure then you should probably stick with decaf.
The general benefits of coffee that decaf also have are improved liver function, prevention of diabetes type 2 and of premature death, and resistance against neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, decaf coffee is good for you as it doesn’t spike up your blood pressure like regular coffee and thus an increased consumption doesn’t have detrimental effects on renal function. Most importantly, decaf coffee will not dehydrate you like a regular coffee will.
Does Decaf Coffee Increase Blood Pressure?
As mentioned earlier, decaf coffee does not increase blood pressure. The component in coffee that is responsible for elevating your blood pressure is caffeine. Basically, what happens is that caffeine, when taken in high doses, increases epinephrine levels in the blood. Epinephrine, also called adrenalin, increases the contractility of the heart and the blood pressure as well. This increased blood pressure causes the kidneys to work harder, taxing them, and dehydrating you, at the same time.
However, decaf coffee is missing the actual component that spikes the blood pressure so it doesn’t have the ability to do so.
Does Decaf Coffee Contain Formaldehyde?
Sometimes, manufacturers use chemicals like formaldehyde to remove caffeine from the coffee beans. In this case, you might end up with some of the chemicals in your cup of joe. However, if your coffee is labelled as ‘natural water processed’ or ‘Swiss water processed’ or ‘naturally decaffeinated’, you can rest assured on this account.
Conclusion
Decaf or not, coffee is delicious. But, if you’re feeling that your coffee intake should be restricted a little bit because of the caffeine, then you can pick any decaf K cup from my list and you’ll have a great mug of steaming brew, sans worries!