DEKÁF AND OUR PRODUCTS

Dekáf is proud to exclusively source and offer premium beans directly from Swiss Water. Explore more about this technique below, and always verify the specific details provided for each coffee.

SWISS WATER® PROCESSING:

Originally pioneered in Switzerland, the Swiss Water® Process now operates in Canada. The gentle decaffeination method uses only water, temperature, and time. Zero chemical solvents.

Swiss Water® Processing involves using Green Coffee Extract to tempt the caffeine out of the beans -  immersing the beans in water already saturated with coffee’s natural compounds (minus the caffeine). Because the water is already “full” of flavor compounds, it selectively targets caffeine molecules, leaving flavor and aroma intact.

Activated carbon filters then sweep away the caffeine molecules, preserving the bright notes and captivating aromas unique to the coffee’s origin. The result? A truly elegant, rich-tasting decaf...all free of chemicals.

At Dekáf, we take pride in leading the way with rich, flavorful decaf coffee. Our dedication extends to both committed decaf drinkers and those who prefer just a touch of caffeine. We’re proud to offer a lineup that’s 99.9% caffeine-free, along with carefully crafted low-caffeine blends for those who enjoy a subtle boost.

Carefully examine the caffeine specifications for each coffee before making a purchase. Caffeine details are labeled on each coffee bag and its corresponding online product. Our website is efficiently structured to separate low-caffeine blends for easy access.

A note to our dedicated decaf drinkers: as we roast both decaf and low-caff coffee, we took the extra measure in keeping your full-decaf coffee experience as pure as possible by investing in separate roasting and packing equipment. The equipment are dedicated to decaf beans only - this way, you can rest assured that your coffee hasn't come into any contact with caffeine at any stage of our operation.

Many of the coffees we source at Dekáf are organically grown and certified at the farm level - meaning they’re cultivated without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, and carry their own USDA or local organic certifications from origin.

That said, Dekáf’s roasting facility is not currently certified organic, which means we cannot legally label our coffees as USDA Organic - even when the beans themselves meet (or exceed) organic standards.

It’s worth noting that some of our coffees come from producers who follow even more rigorous cultivation standards than those required for USDA Organic certification. These farms may hold other sustainability or biodiversity certifications, or follow regenerative practices rooted in tradition. However, because USDA certification is often cost-prohibitive or logistically complex, especially for smallholder producers, they may not carry the official seal.

This is a common reality in specialty coffee, and we remain committed to sourcing thoughtfully, roasting transparently, and supporting farming partners who grow with integrity - certified or not.

IF YOU'RE STILL WONDERING...THAT'S OK!

The following Dekáf coffees are certified organic at origin (OCIA):

• Ethiopia Sidamo Bombe

• Honduras COCASAM

• Mexico Ki-Saya

• Papua New Guinea Kuta

• Peru Valle La Naranja

• Midnight Mirage (a double origin blend, both certified at origin)

We’re proud to feature these coffees in our lineup and are equally proud of the ones that don’t carry formal certification, yet are cultivated with care, biodiversity, and sustainability in mind.

If you’d like to know more about any coffee in particular, we’re always happy to share sourcing details.

Yes! All of our coffees are EarthKosher certified and are additionally Pareve as they do not contain any dairy ingredients.

At Dekáf, quality extends beyond sourcing and roasting. As part of our broader commitment to transparency and product integrity, our coffees are independently tested by an accredited third-party laboratory for mold, yeast, a range of mycotoxins, and heavy metals.

All tested coffees to date have returned non-detectable and below-reporting-limit results for the analytes screened.

Our testing is performed by an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory (A2LA 3329.08), an internationally recognized standard for laboratory competence and analytical reliability.

WHY TESTING MATTERS

Like many agricultural products, coffee can naturally contain trace levels of certain elements from the environment in which it's grown. If not handled properly, coffee can be exposed to moisture and storage conditions that may contribute to microbiological activity.

Independent laboratory testing adds an additional layer of verification beyond sourcing, roasting, and storage standards. While proper processing and handling are critical safeguards, third-party testing helps confirm that coffees meet strict quality expectations before reaching customers.

WHAT WE TEST FOR

Dekáf coffees are screened for a range of mycotoxins, microbiological markers, and heavy metals including:

• Ochratoxin A (OTA)
• Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2, M1, M2)
• Fumonisins (B1, B2)
• Deoxynivalenol (DON)
• HT-2 and T-2 Toxins
• Zearalenone
• Mold Counts
• Yeast Counts
• Arsenic
• Cadmium
• Lead
• Mercury

Testing is conducted through an independent accredited laboratory using validated analytical methods designed to measure trace-level contaminants with high precision and reliability.

Independent testing helps confirm that our coffees remain within accepted standards and below detectable/reporting thresholds for the compounds screened.

OUR APPROACH TO QUALITY

Dekáf exclusively sources Swiss Water® Process decaffeinated coffees and roasts in small batches with a strong focus on freshness, consistency, and quality control.

Our coffees are roasted to order and shipped fresh, with careful attention paid to storage, handling, and production standards throughout the process. Accredited third-party laboratory testing serves as an additional layer of verification within that broader quality-focused approach.

We believe decaffeinated coffee deserves the same level of care and attention as any specialty coffee offering.

Our roasting facility is based out of Salem, MA. Here, we utilize three different roasters to help us perfect your Dekáf beans.

If you don't know already, let's first loop you in on an important "purity" measure in our coffee operation: we use separate roasters for decaf and low-caff coffees.

"Why the separation?"
Two reasons...the first being that some coffee drinkers are more sensitive to caffeine, and this allows us to provide a full-decaf experience to those drinkers (this can often be a rare find for those seeking almost zero caffeine). Second, cross-contamination aside, it’s a reflection of our core brand philosophy: that decaf coffee deserves its own space, respect, and process.

Here's our process:

• Sample roasting and roast profile development: Ikawa Pro100 - this is where all of our coffees start, single origin or blend.*
We experiment, we take notes, and we refine.

• Decaffeinated coffees: Ghibli R15 - completely dedicated to full-decaf beans only!

• Low-caffeine blends: Loring Kestrel S35 - used for our low-caffeine blends.

*It's also important for us to share that we develop tailored roast profiles for all 15 of our coffees, as they all sing different notes. This includes our blends - while they may use a combination of our nine single origins, the end goal per blend will differ from their origins. You can read more about our roasting operations here!

Orders are generally processed within 1–2 business days of order confirmation. This processing period includes preparing and scheduling your coffee for roasting.

Once your coffee has been roasted, it is packaged and transferred to the shipping carrier within 24 hours of roasting. Our 24-hour freshness commitment begins when the coffee is roasted—not when the order is placed.

Available shipping services and estimated transit times are displayed at checkout. Transit time begins after your order has been processed and transferred to the carrier. Delivery timeframes are carrier-provided estimates and are not guaranteed. Business days do not include Saturdays, Sundays, federal holidays, or carrier-observed holidays.

For customers on the West Coast—including California, Oregon, and Washington: Because our roasting facility is located in Massachusetts, packages sent through Economy or Standard Shipping may require the full estimated 5–8 business days in transit.

Delivery may be affected by circumstances outside Dekáf’s control, including severe weather, holidays, seasonal shipping volume, carrier disruptions, and other transportation or service interruptions.

If tracking has stopped updating for an extended period or you believe your package may be lost, please contact us at info@dekaf.com. For complete details, please review our Shipping Policy.

UPS SERVICES	USPS SERVICES
GROUND	GROUND ADVANTAGE
2ND DAY AIR	PRIORITY
NEXT DAY AIR	PRIORITY MAIL EXPRESS

 

FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS, GIFT CARDS, AND ORDERS $40+ SHIPPING WITHIN THE CONTIGUOUS U.S.

FREE ECONOMY SHIPPING

5-8 Business Days

 

FOR ORDERS SHIPPING TO AK, HI, OR U.S. TERRITORIES

FLAT-RATE ECONOMY SHIPPING FEE ($10)

7-14 Business Days

As a small-batch roaster, Dekáf takes pride in roasting coffee to order. Each batch is shipped within 24 hours of roasting, ensuring you always enjoy the freshest coffee possible.

We generally recommend allowing our beans to rest for approximately 3–4 days after the roast date before brewing.

Resting gives freshly roasted coffee time to release naturally occurring carbon dioxide, a process known as degassing. Decaf coffee typically degasses a little faster due to the decaffeination process, so it is often ready to enjoy sooner than regular coffee.

Because we ship our coffee within 24 hours of roasting, the time your order spends in transit counts toward this resting period. In many cases, your coffee will already be within the recommended resting window when it arrives. You can find the roast date printed on the bag.

It is perfectly fine to brew your coffee sooner. However, you may find that its flavor becomes more balanced and settled after the first few days. Resting time is a general recommendation, so feel free to experiment and discover what tastes best to you.

Visit our Brew Guide for recommended starting points for pour-over, drip coffee, French press, AeroPress, cold brew, and espresso. Use our recipes as a starting point, then adjust to suit your taste.

At Dekáf, coffee freshness is a top priority from start to finish. To experience the full richness of your decaf coffee, we suggest enjoying it within 3 to 4 weeks after opening.

Our commitment to freshness means we roast each batch only when it's ordered, and ship to you within 24 hours of roasting. This way, you can savor the flavor just as it was intended.

A visible sheen or oily surface is natural for darker-roasted coffee. The longer roasting process brings some of the coffee’s naturally occurring oils to the surface of the bean. This is not a defect or sign of spoilage, and no oils or flavorings have been added.

Some grinders (particularly certain automatic machines) may be sensitive to oily beans. We recommend checking your grinder manufacturer’s guidance and cleaning your grinder regularly according to its instructions.

Give your beans the perfect home by storing them in an airtight container in a cool, dark space. You can prevent flavor degradation by avoiding fridge or freezer storage for your coffee beans. Temperature fluctuations can lead to moisture buildup, which may cause molding.

Remember that coffee is like a sponge for strong odors. If it's available, we also recommend using a container that's free from lingering scents. This way, your Dekáf coffee beans stay fresh and fragrant in every cup!