Decaf vs. Low-Caffeine Coffee: What's the Real Difference?

May 08, 2025 DEKÁF

If you’ve ever stood in front of your coffee shelf wondering “What’s the difference between decaf and low-caffeine coffee?” - you’re not alone. At Dekáf, we specialize in decaf-only coffee, but we also roast a few standout low-caffeine blends.

Why?
Because sometimes the answer isn’t “yes or no” to caffeine - it’s about finding the right balance.

So, what actually separates decaf from low-caff? Is one better than the other? And how do you know which one’s right for your next brew?

LET'S BREAK IT DOWN...

☕ WHAT IS DECAF COFFEE?

According to the United States FDA standards, decaf coffee is coffee that has had at least 97% of its caffeine removed from the green coffee bean before roasting. At Dekáf, most of our full decaf coffees have a caffeine reduction of up to 99.9%. Dekáf uses either the Swiss Water® Process or Mountain Water Process as decaffeination methods. Both are gentle, chemical-free methods that preserve flavor while removing caffeine.

By the time our full decaf beans hit the roaster, they contain only a small fraction of the original caffeine content - typically about 2–5 mg per cup, compared to 80–100 mg in regular coffee.

Our fully decaffeinated line features both Single Origins and Signature Blends.

✅ TL;DR: Decaf = virtually caffeine-free, with full flavor when roasted properly.

🌿 WHAT IS LOW-CAFFEINE COFFEE?

Low-caffeine coffee (also known as low-caf, reduced caffeine, or half-caf) is simply that - it contains less caffeine than regular coffee, but more than decaf. While there’s no strict legal definition, most low-caff coffees contain somewhere between 30–70 mg of caffeine per cup (compared to 80-100mg per cup), depending on the blend and brew method.

At Dekáf, we offer two low-caffeine blends:

• Split Pulse (50% caffeine) - Ripe pomelo, toffee nut, vanilla bean

• Silent Storm Espresso (25% caffeine) - Allspice, apple pie, milk chocolate

These blends are crafted with care, using a mix of decaffeinated and naturally lower-caffeine beans to achieve balance - both in taste and energy.

✅ TL;DR: Low-caf = still has caffeine, just less. Great for easing off caffeine gradually or enjoying in moderation.

💥 THE BIG DIFFERENCE: CAFFEINE CONTENT

Check out this helpful chart if you're wondering what's best for you!

COFFEE TYPE	AVG. CAFFEINE (PER 8OZ. CUP)	WHO IT'S FOR
Regular	80–100 mg	Full energy, no restrictions
Low-Caffeine	30–70 mg	Reducing intake, but still want a little buzz
Decaf	2–5 mg	Avoiding caffeine entirely (or drinking coffee at night)

🧭 WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

CHOOSE DECAF IF:

• You’re sensitive to caffeine
• You’re pregnant or breastfeeding (with doctor approval, of course)
• You want to enjoy coffee after 2 p.m. without wrecking your sleep
• You’re working on reducing caffeine dependence
• You just love the ritual of coffee but not the energy spike

And here’s the kicker: when decaf is done right (roasted with care and intention, like how we do it!) it tastes just as rich, smooth, and satisfying as any full-caf coffee. That’s exactly what we aim for with every roast at Dekáf.

CHOOSE LOW-CAFF IF:

• You’re transitioning away from full-caff and want something less extreme
• You want to limit caffeine, not eliminate it
• You’re looking for a gentler brew that still gives a mild boost
• You want a second or third cup without the crash

Our Split Pulse and Silent Storm blends are designed for this exact purpose - thoughtfully balanced, complex in flavor, and easy on the nervous system.

🧠 COMMON MYTHS...BUSTED!

“Decaf tastes bad.”
Only when it’s poorly roasted. Our customers regularly tell us they can’t even tell it’s decaf.

“Low-caf is just decaf with a little caffeine added back in.”
Not true. It’s usually a blend of decaf and full-caf beans, or a mix of origins naturally lower in caffeine.

“You can’t feel anything from low-caf.”
Oh, you’ll feel it...just more gently. Think: clarity without the crash.

🛠️ HOW WE CRAFT THE DIFFERENCE AT DEKÁF

At most roasters, decaf and low-caff are an afterthought. But not at Dekáf.

We roast decaf coffee on dedicated equipment, using custom-developed roast profiles for every single origin and blend. That includes our low-caff blends - they may use some of the same origins, but we treat them as entirely new coffees when developing the roast.

This ensures that flavor, not caffeine content, leads the experience. Whether you’re drinking a decaf with dessert or pulling a low-caff shot in the morning, you’re getting a cup that’s complex, intentional, and full of character.

☕ LET'S REDEFINE COFFEE - ONE CUP AT A TIME

We believe coffee should support your lifestyle, not hijack it. That’s why we created Dekáf - to prove that decaf isn’t a compromise, it’s an evolution.

Whether you’re ready to ditch caffeine completely or just want to dial it down, we’ve got a roast that’ll meet you where you are - and make your next cup feel intentional, not incidental.