Ah, decaffeinated coffee. Much ridiculed until you need it. But Decaf is just a tasteless, pre-ground powder, with little in common with the real stuff, right? Wrong!
For far too long decaf coffee has had an unfair reputation as being the underdog of the coffee world. Ordered in a whisper, or ridiculed when mentioned. But things have changed, and the world of decaffeinated coffee has evolved dramatically. You no longer have to compromise on flavour just because you are skipping the caffeine. The era of great tasting decaf coffee is here. But for real coffee fans, there’s only one question that needs to be answered: Can you buy decaf coffee beans in the UK? Let’s dive in and find out.
Can You Really Buy Decaf Coffee Beans?
Yes, you absolutely can buy high-quality, single origin whole decaf coffee beans.
At the Coffee Bean Shop, we know that truly great coffee is about so much more than it’s caffeine content; it’s about taste and aroma and freshness. Modern decaffeination techniques mean that you can now enjoy all of the complexity and richness of your usual favourite brew, minus the sleepless nights or jittery hands - if you choose to.
For those who want to explore the world of decaf coffee beans further, our decaffeinated coffee collection is the perfect starting point, and just like our regular beans, they can be purchased whole or ground to suit whichever brewing method you prefer. But first, let’s uncover exactly why decaf coffee beans are worth your attention.
Why Choose Decaf Whole Beans
If you’ve ever bought pre-ground or instant decaf and thought it tasted a bit … well, flat, you are not alone. Or if you’ve been drinking decaf coffee since the beginning, then you know that historically it has been a game of roulette for whether the brew you get is going to be pleasant or not.
Grinding coffee releases its oils and aromas, the very essence that makes a coffee enjoyable. However, these begin to degrade from that moment, and will become duller and more stale tasting over time.
The issue with many decaf options is that they usually come in pre-made portions. If it is instant coffee it will taste bland, and if it is a decaf from a coffee shop, then it is probably in the form of a small tea-bag-like puck of coffee that is pulled from a drawer somewhere and then put through the espresso machine. Either way, both options are so far along from their freshly ground state and way past their glorious coffee best. In essence, by choosing most forms of decaf on the market, you are giving up the chance to have freshly ground coffee at its best, as well as your control over the grind size, temperature, and all the other variables necessary to make the perfect brew for you.
Whether you make your daily cup with a cafetière, espresso machine or a drip filter, grinding your coffee beans immediately before using them -regardless of if they are regular or decaf- means that you will get the full potential of flavour and aroma. Think of it like cutting up an apple; you wouldn’t slice it and leave it on the side all day before eating it, much less eating it days later, would you?
Then there is the health angle. Many people opt for decaf because of health benefits, or to reduce their caffeine intake for better sleep or lower anxiety. With whole beans, you don’t have to sacrifice either the ritual of brewing or the other health benefits of real coffee beans, such as a rich supply of antioxidants. The coffee bean itself is loaded with beneficial compounds called polyphenols, like chlorogenic acid, which help protect your body's cells from damage and reduce inflammation.
In fact, studies have shown that these compounds, which remain largely intact after the decaffeination process, are linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and may promote better liver health. Oh, and it’ll still make you need to pee more. On top of that, you’re still getting essential nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and Vitamin B3. You simply get the same delicious taste and quality experience, just with less of a buzz.
How Is Decaf Coffee Made? The Decaffeination Process Explained
One of the biggest myths that lingers around decaf is that it has to be soaked in harsh chemicals to be made, which simply is not true anymore. Now, there are many options available, and many are used by roasters and coffee shop chains to remove the caffeine safely and effectively. Here’s a quick guide to the most-used methods today:
The Swiss Water Process
Despite the name, there isn’t a team of Swiss baristas gently bathing each bean. Instead, this chemical-free method uses pure water and carbon filters to remove caffeine while keeping flavour intact. It’s a gentle, eco-friendly process and one of the most popular for producing the best decaf coffee beans available. This is the method that all Coffee Bean Shop decaf coffee beans are made from.
CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide) Process
Here, carbon dioxide is used to target and remove caffeine molecules without disturbing the precious flavour compounds. It’s a scientific yet natural approach, a caffeine-specific magnet for coffee. However, this decaffeination process is generally considered to be one of the more expensive methods, and requires expertise in using it, so is rarely used outside of the niche or specialty coffee sector, where the beans will be more expensive anyway.
Solvent-based processes
Ethyl Acetate: This is often marketed as a "natural" option because this compound is found in fruit. While effective, some people find it can leave a faint, slightly fruity tang on the beans.
Methylene Chloride: This is a more controversial solvent, as it is also used in products like paint strippers. Understandably, this has raised health concerns. However, regulatory bodies like the UK's Food Standards Agency have deemed it safe for decaffeination, setting strict limits of well under 10 parts per million for any residue. Proponents argue that the chemical's low boiling point (39.6∘C) means that virtually all of it is evaporated during the bean steaming and roasting processes, which happen at much higher temperatures.
When done correctly, both solvent-based methods can preserve the coffee's original flavour profile, but the use of chemicals is a significant consideration for many coffee drinkers.
What to Look for When Buying Decaf Coffee Beans in the UK
So now you know the answer to can you buy decaf coffee beans, and how they are made, let’s take a look at what are the best decaf coffee beans on the market and how you can spot them yourself.
When buying decaf, you want to focus on pretty much the same factors that make any regular coffee great: the origin, roast level, freshness (when it was roasted and when it was ground if buying pre-ground) as well as the ethical sourcing. Here’s our tips on what to watch out for:
Roast and Origin
Lighter roasts tend to highlight delicate, fruity notes, while darker roasts bring out deeper, chocolatey tones. Depending on your preferred brewing method, you may prefer one over the other. Our Tasting Wheel, located on the back of every bag of our coffee - and on the listing on the website - is there to guide you through what tastes you’ll be getting from your single origin or blended coffee beans. Decaf coffee beans from regions like Colombia, Brazil and Ethiopia often retain an excellent body and sweetness after decaffeination, but as we use the Swiss Water Method, there should be little to no difference between your brew and that of a regular coffee.
Freshness
Always, always check the roast date, which should be clearly visible on the packaging.
Coffee is best enjoyed within a few weeks of roasting, so look for a reputable roaster who provides freshly roasted decaf coffee beans, such as us at The Coffee Bean Shop, but also the labels and info to back it up.
Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing
Just because it is decaf, doesn't mean it should skip on ethics. Many of the best decaf coffee beans are also single origin and can be certified to both support the environment and the farmers behind the brew. Many of our own coffee beans have been grown at farms where we have actively been, so that we can see first-hand how they are run and how the workers are treated.
Brewing Tips for The Best Decaf Coffee Beans
As with any type of coffee bean, even the finest decaf will be disappointing if brewed incorrectly. Here’s how to make the most of your cup:
- Grind size: match it to your brewing method and try not to wing it. Fine for espresso, coarse for cafetière, and somewhere in between for the rest.
- Water temperature: Aim for around 92–96°C; boiling water will scorch your coffee, making it taste burnt or bitter.
- Storage: keep beans in an airtight container, away from light, heat and moisture. NOT in the fridge and NOT next to your oven/hob.
By treating your best decaf coffee beans with the same care and attention as their caffeine-filled relatives, you can enjoy the same depth of flavour and satisfaction in a well made brew, every time.
Final Thoughts
The days of lifeless, powdery decaf are well and truly over; all hail the new age of outstanding decaffeinated coffee! With modern decaffeination methods, thoughtful roasting and a range of bean varieties, decaf coffee can step into the limelight proudly alongside traditional coffee: full of flavour, aroma and character.
So, the next time someone asks ‘can you buy decaf coffee beans?’ you can confidently, and loudly say yes.
If you’re curious to see how good decaf can truly be, explore our range of freshly roasted, whole bean best decaf coffee beans at The Coffee Bean Shop.
After all, life’s too short for bad coffee, even if it’s decaf.