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Drinks & liquids · Coffee

Decaffeinated ground coffee

Roasted coffee that has had most of its caffeine removed before roasting, ground for brewing like regular coffee.

Also called: decaf coffee, decaf ground coffee, decaffeinated coffee, decaf beans, swiss water decaf

A kind of finely ground coffee

1 recipe with it

What it is

Green coffee beans are decaffeinated before roasting, using water (as in the Swiss Water process), liquid carbon dioxide or a solvent such as ethyl acetate or methylene chloride, which is then removed. The beans are roasted and ground as usual. Decaf is low in caffeine, not caffeine-free: a small amount always remains.

How it’s used

  • Espresso and milk drinks in the evening
  • Filter, French press and pour-over coffee
  • Coffee desserts where you want the flavour without much caffeine

Characteristics

Taste
Similar to regular coffee of the same roast, often a little flatter or sweeter; good decafs are hard to tell apart in milk drinks.
When cooked
Often extracts slightly faster than regular coffee, so espresso may need a finer grind.
Sold as
ground, whole
Cooking uses
Commonly cooked
Common in
International

Storage

Cool, dry and dark. Keep in an airtight, opaque container away from heat and light; use within a few weeks of opening for the best aroma.

Diet, allergens and safety

No major allergens in typical versions.

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Dairy-free
  • Egg-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Nut-free
  • Soy-free
  • Caffeine-free
  • Decaf still contains a little caffeine; people told to avoid caffeine completely should ask a health professional.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy
353 kcal
Protein
12.2 g
Carbohydrate
75.4 g
Fat
0.5 g
Fibre
0 g
Sugars
0 g

USDA FoodData Central: Beverages, coffee, instant, regular, powder (a close stand-in).

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

Related ingredients

Recipes with decaffeinated ground coffee

More coffee