We all make assumptions and judgements when it comes to things we don't fully understand. The same is true for most people's perceptions of decaf coffee. Unfortunately, some of you may have already tried decaf and had a poor experience. If you've only had decaf from Starbucks, hotel chains, Folgers, or fast-food chains, we urge you to reconsider. But first, let's break down some myths and assumptions you may be thinking right now before we swing you to trying decaf again. Let's rock and roll!
Myth 1: "I don’t have choices when it comes to decaf."
For most companies, decaf is secondary and they usually have just one, plain option. They don't put the same effort, time, or care and attention into their decaf options as they do their regular options.
Unfortunately, we live in a 'death before decaf' kind of society for the time being but just know that there are brands out there, like us, trying to make waves and give more, flavorful, naturally processed options for great decaf.
We have different flavor profiles, blends, and origins to choose from and you can have just as much fun picking a decaf brand as you do a regular coffee option.
Myth 2: "Decaf has to contain harsh or harmful chemicals."
False. The Swiss Water® Process is 100% chemical-solvent free. The only things we use to decaffeinate coffee are fresh water, coffee, time, and temperature.
Most decaf you've probably tried is cheaply sourced, cheaply processed, and made in huge batches for a poor all-around coffee experience.
The most prevalent way to remove caffeine on an industrial level is to soak them in a solvent – usually methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. Methylene chloride can be used in things like paint strippers and degreasers as well as a solvent to remove caffeine.
Ethyl acetate is a natural fruit ether usually made from acetic acid – the building block of vinegar – and it’s also used to make nail polish remover (it has a distinctive sweet fragrance). This gives the beans a chemical-y flavor and you're left missing the true taste of the natural bean.
The beans are first soaked in water and then covered in a solution containing either of these solvents. The caffeine is then drawn out by the solvent. This strips the flavor, the natural compounds, and removes almost all of the antioxidants too - one of the true health benefits of coffee!
With the Swiss Water Process®, we gently remove the caffeine while maintaining flavor, antioxidants, and the true essence of the coffee. In most cases, people who try SWP decaf won't realize it's decaf, it's that good.
Now, add in the fact that our coffee is roasted in small batches by experts and shipped to you within days of being freshly roasted here in the U.S. to the equation.
Your decaf coffee drinking experience just got elevated.
Myth 3: "Decaf tastes funny."
False - at least not ours! A chemical-free process allows Swiss Water® Decaf to preserve coffee beans’ subtle and distinct origin and flavor characteristics, leaving you with great-tasting coffee with no added aftertaste.
We take pride in our Swiss Water Decaf tasting just as wonderful as our coffees with caffeine. You get the full coffee-drinking experience. From the ritual, the smell, the warmth, and the taste. Everything works together to give you an unmatched coffee-drinking journey that won't leave you with the jitters, the sweats, or the anxiety later.
Myth 4: "Coffee’s health benefits come from caffeine."
Nope! Most health benefits derived from coffee come from the antioxidant effect of the polyphenols contained within the coffee, regardless of whether there is caffeine in it or not.
And rest assured, through the decaffeination process we use, all of the good stuff that coffee does have to offer stays intact. As we've said before, coffee has benefits, and caffeine itself does have some benefits. Most people do experience positive effects when they drink one or two cups of coffee.
It's when you get into the afternoon and evening hours or recognize a sensitivity within yourself where the benefits that caffeine supposedly has are harder to find and the drawbacks are front and center.
You get to choose how you drink coffee, you don't have to be 'for' or 'against' decaf or regular. Drinking them together actually makes for a lovely harmony and a coffee-drinking experience that doesn't have to end at noon.
Myth 5 – "All decaf contains a significant amount of caffeine."
Nah! While no decaffeination process can remove all caffeine from a coffee bean, you can rest easy knowing coffee decaffeinated with the Swiss Water® Process is 95-99% caffeine-free.
Enjoy coffee any time of day, however you want.
We were inspired by European countries when they made espresso in the evenings, almost as a dessert. Whether they were drinking decaf or not, it's become one of our favorite ways to end the day. Instead of dessert, make a nice, warm cup of coffee and prepare it however you like it best. You can also be confident that an evening decaf coffee won't keep you up all night like a regular cup of coffee would.
Decaf Made for You
Whatever your reasons for seeking decaf - health reasons, stress reasons, or just personal preferences - you can be confident that when you try our coffee you will get all of the great parts of coffee without the caffeine. Full flavor, complex blends, diverse origins, and next to no caffeine. Find a flavor that suits where you are and where you want to be.
