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8 Best Decaf Espressos

By Jenna Holtz,

Home / Food & Drink

Coffee is an essential part of many people’s daily routine. It’s a satisfying ritual (plus delicious taste) that can really help you start your day right.

But here’s the thing:

Caffeine can cause problems for some people. It’s particularly notorious for causing issues for those with anxiety, as it can stimulate the nervous system and produce an unpleasant feeling of being on-edge.

Studies have found links between caffeine consumption and feelings of stress or worry. While a little hint can help you wake up and get going, a fully caffeinated espresso may just not sit well with you.

So what’s the solution?

Going decaf can be seen by some as a cop-out. But if you love the ritual and the taste of coffee, but not the side-effects of a caffeine hit, it can be the perfect compromise.

The key is finding the ideal decaf espresso for you.

At Faveable, we’re dedicated to helping you make the best purchasing choice. That’s why we put in hours of research on different options, so you don’t have to.

We’ve broken down the different decaf espresso product specifications, looked at verified customer reviews, and found the best decaf espresso on the market.

RELATED: 7 Best Decaf K-Cups For Your Keurig Machine

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

#1 Best Decaf Espresso Pods

Senseo Coffee Pods

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  • Made from high quality Italian coffee beans
  • Smooth yet strong flavor
  • Pods make coffee preparation easy
Pros Cons

Senseo Espresso Ground Coffee Pods are a decaf coffee enthusiasts dream! Expect delicious flavor, authentic taste, and quick preparation with the easy to use pods. Additionally, this decaf coffee has a distinctive, espresso-like look and feel to them, including a fine cream layer.

Unfortunately, these pods are only suitable for Senseo machines, and, therefore, aren’t a viable option to many espresso consumers. Some coffee fans dislike pod-based machines in general, as they can be wasteful and not great for the environment.

Product Ratings

Type

9.5/10

100% strong roasted Arabica Beans, an aromatic and powerful Italian-style coffee with a soft crema layer.

Taste

9.5/10

Smooth and strong. Some reviewers compare it to espresso they’ve had in Europe. It claims to be perfect after a meal, and, in spite of its robust flavor, it’s never described as bitter or acidic.

Ingredients

9.5/10

Arabica beans, specifically prepared for use in Senseo machines.

Value

9.8/10

$32.89 for a pack of 2-48 count single-serve coffee pods, so 96 pods total. Coming out to about .34 cents a pod, we find the price to be an excellent value. And, you can save even more if you sign up for subscribe and save on Amazon.

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#2 Best All Rounder

Illy Tostato Intenso

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  • Medium roast suits all palates
  • Can makes for easy preparation and storage
  • Dependable, high quality coffee
Pros Cons

Packaging keeps grounds fresh. Delicious, authentic coffee taste. And great for making espresso with crema.

Taste may be too mild for some. Can be more tricky to prepare.

Product Ratings

Type

9.5/10

100% medium roasted Arabica Beans.

Taste

9/10

The Illy Decaf Espresso has a medium roast, making it fairly middle-of-the-road in terms of taste. It’s not too strong, but still robust and flavorful.

Ingredients

9.5/10

Medium Roasted Arabica Beans.

Value

9/10

$22.41 for two 8.8oz containers, or around $1.27 per ounce, puts this decaf espresso towards the higher end on price – although you probably won’t need to use as much to make a cup.

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#3 Best Organic Decaf Espresso

Teecino Java

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  • Works with any espresso or coffee machine
  • Naturally caffeine and acid-free
  • Combines delicious coffee flavor with mutiple health benefits from organic ingredients
Pros Cons

Pleasant, comforting coffee flavor. Health benefits from ingredients such as inulin from chicory root fiber. Works well with any coffee machine or preparation process.

Some say it doesn't satisfy the coffee urge. Totally caffeine free, so may need to be weaned on to.

Product Ratings

Type

9/10

Chicory root herbal coffee alternative.

Taste

9.3/10

The blend of herbal ingredients mimic the flavor of an espresso. It’s described as having a strong coffee bite with a hint of rich sweetness. The flavor of the drink is designed to emulate a strong roasted coffee bean.

Ingredients

9.3/10

Organic Carob, Organic Barley, Chicory, Organic Chicory, Almonds, Organic Dates, Natural Coffee Flavor, and Organic Figs.

Value

9/10

$25.46 for three 11oz containers, or around $0.74 per ounce. User comment that the strong flavor means each container lasts a long time, too, making this a fairly good value for money.

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#4 Best Half Caf Espresso

Community Coffee Half Caf

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  • Smooth and full-flavored
  • From an ethical company
  • Tastes comparable to fully caffeinated options
Pros Cons

This coffee offers a taste which is indstinguishable from the regular blend, but with half the caffeine. The taste is full bodied, smooth, and supremely highly flavored. You can feel good about buying this coffee, thanks to the ethical practices of the company. This coffee is suitable for all types of preparation, too.

Some say the coarser grind of this coffee makes it more difficult to brew. The taste of the coffee can be a little too mild for some.

Product Ratings

Type

9.1/10

100% select Arabica Beans.

Taste

9.1/10

Full bodied, with a low to medium tang. Smooth and full flavored.

Ingredients

9.1/10

Arabica beans prepared with half the regular caffeine.

Value

9.1/10

$29.98 for two bags, which comes out to $0.47 per ounce. This puts it in the middle of the road in terms of price, but is great value for those looking for a high-quality half-caf espresso.

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#5 Best Whole Bean Decaf Espresso

San Francisco Bay Dark Espresso Roast

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  • Rich bean blend with a dark, smokey roast
  • Whole beans make for freshest possible coffee flavor
  • Well respected company founded by experts
Pros Cons

People love the delicious, authentic flavor of this espresso. It's also fair trade and sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible, and comes at a good price.

The fact this coffee is only available as whole beans can make it more of an annoying process. The flip side to this, though, is the fresher and more flavorful taste. Some users find the beans to be too oily for their taste.

Product Ratings

Type

9/10

100% Arabica coffee beans.

Taste

9/10

Rich and full bodied blend of beans with a dark, smoky roast. Has a rich, authetic espresso flavor.

Ingredients

9/10

Arabica beans with an espresso roast.

Value

9/10

$18.99 for one 2 lb bag of beans. This comes out to 0.59 per ounce – which, for a freshly ground cup of espresso, is fairly impressive. 

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#6 Best Value Decaf Espresso

Medaglia D’Oro Decaffeinated Espresso

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  • Rich, espresso taste
  • Healthy low caffeine
  • Made in the USA
Pros Cons

This option is easy to brew in any espresso maker. It makes a delicious coffee every time and features an excellent crema layer. On top of this, it's a total bargain, which makes it an excellent choice for coffee lovers on a budget.

Some users find the flavor of this espresso too strong and bordering on bitter or overly acidic. For those who prefer a milder taste, this may not be the coffee for you.

Product Ratings

Type

9/10

100% decaffeinated coffee beans.

Taste

9/10

Strong and powerful – though some users say the flavor borders of acrid or bitter. It’s definitely on the more powerful end of the spectrum.

Ingredients

9/10

Finely ground coffee beans for use in espresso machines.

Value

9/10

$5.29 per 10 ounce container comes out to around $0.53 per ounce. Because it’s a stronger blend, you’ll need less, making it one of the cheapest ways to enjoy decaf espresso at home.

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#7 Best Artisanal Decaf Espresso

Fresh Roasted Coffee Decaf Mexican

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  • Clean, milder taste - less bitter than other alternatives
  • 99.9% caffeine free
  • Created by a company that really cares about coffee, with top quality bean selection, roasting and storage
Pros Cons

This coffee is a perfect choice for those with a more refined palate. The flavor is milder and more nuanced, with notes of cocoa and walnut. It tastes super fresh and clean. The decaffeination process is done with Swiss water to ensure a chemical free cup, plus helps maintain the natural delicious flavor of the beans.

This is a more luxurious cup of decaf, and the price reflects that. Some also say the caffeine content in this option can cause issues, especially those with sensitivities.

Product Ratings

Type

8.8/10

100% roasted Arabica coffee beans, no additives, artificial flavors or preservatives.

Taste

9/10

Subtle and nuanced. This coffee has notes of cocoa and walnut, and many report and fresher, light and bright taste. For true coffee snobs, this may be the best option on the market in terms of decaf espresso.

Ingredients

9/10

Arabica beans, decaffeinated with Swiss Water method, and medium roasted.

Value

8.8/10

$25.60 for a 2lb bag, making the coffee cost around $0.80 per ounces. It’s a pricier cup, but if you’re into a more delicate, refined taste, it could well be worth it.

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#8 Best Medium Roast Decaf Espresso

Lavazza Espresso Decaffeinato Ground Coffee Blend, Decaffeinated Medium Roast

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  • Full bodied, medium roast
  • Sweet and fruity flavor
  • Blended and roasted in Italy
Pros Cons

Lavazza is an authentic favorite from Italy, and has been crafting some of the world’s most desired coffees for decades. Committed to quality, Lavazza invented the concept of blending beans from different regions into the most irresistible espresso on the planet.

Some reviewers report quality control issues when purchasing on Amazon, so be aware and don’t hesitate to contact Amazon if you’re at all concerned about your product being authentic.

Product Ratings

Type

8.8/10

Arabica blend with highly aromatic notes; full-bodied medium roast coffee with rich, delicious, and long-lasting flavor.

Taste

8.5/10

Medium roast with fruity, floral notes. And, with a 5 of 10 intensity rating, this espresso is deeply flavored and smooth.

Ingredients

8.5/10

70 percent Arabica beans and 30 percent Robusta been medium-roasted for a well-balanced coffee that’s perfectly sweet. Beans are harvested in Central America and roasted in Italy.

Value

8.8/10

At $23.82 for a 4 pack of 8-ounce cans, you can rest assured knowing you’re getting this decaf espresso at an excellent price.

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What Makes a Great Decaf Espresso

Knowing exactly what you need from your decaf espresso is essential when it comes to finding the best one for you. You need to consider your biggest priorities and think about the flavors and strength you prefer in your espresso. You’ll also want to take into account how you typically like to make your espresso.

There is a myriad of options for decaf espresso on the market, so finding the best can seem like a huge task. Luckily for you, we have done the hard work so you don’t have to. We’ve reviewed many different decaf espresso options in order to help you find the very best. Using product information and real-life reviews from verified customers, we’ve narrowed down our list to include only the very best decaf espresso options.

Whatever your decaf espresso preference, we’re sure there’s an excellent option for you. Our handy guide will help you decide, based on both your personal needs and general quality overall. If you’re looking to find the best decaf espresso, look no further!

Jenna Holtz

Expert Author

Jenna is an Iowa native and former Chicago resident who is currently living her best life in the Tampa Bay area with her husband and fur baby. She has a BS in Political Science from the University of Iowa, as well as a JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law. Jenna has a passion for running, brunching, home styling, and, of course, her beloved Iowa Hawkeyes. When she isn’t writing, Jenna loves to read, organize, and DIY. Jenna covers everything from health and beauty to home and lifestyle, you name the product, she’s likely tried it. So if you’re looking for ways to enhance your beauty regimen or elevate your home, Jenna is your go-to girl.

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