There could be many reasons why people try to swap their coffee for decaf coffee instead. The main reason is to avoid caffeine. Caffeine can have an adverse effect on some people and can cause headaches and disrupt sleeping patterns, as well as many other reasons. Another reason to give up caffeine might be due to pregnancy, but you may still want to enjoy the lovely flavor of coffee, so decaf is your best option.
If you love coffee, but for some reason, you are unable to indulge anymore, instant decaf coffees are the perfect solution for you.
It can be hard to decide which instant decaf coffee is right for you, as sometimes decaf coffee receives bad reviews. This top 10 list of decaf coffees will help you decide which one would be best for you.
View The Best Instant Decaf Coffee Below
1. Maxwell House International French Vanilla Decaf Instant Coffee
What a delightful offering from Maxwell House. This French Vanilla instant decaf coffee is so smooth that you will want to drink cup after cup. The great news is that this pack includes four of the 4-ounce tubs so that you can indulge.
Another great reason to drink this coffee is that there are only 60 calories are in each cup. This coffee can be used as either a full drink or you can use it as a creamer, if you prefer. If you like your drink extra creamy, you can add this decaf coffee to hot milk for a taste sensation, or you can use hot water.
Pros:
+ 4 x 4-ounce tub
+ Sugar-free
+ Smooth texture
+ 10 servings in each tub
+ Low calorie – 60
Why We Like It – Maxwell House is a well-established brand, and this French vanilla is delightful, making this the best overall coffee. Being only 60 calories per cup makes this a guilt-free treat.
2. Mount Hagen Organic Freeze Dried Instant Decaffeinated Coffee
If you buy organic produce, then why not buy the only organic freeze-dried coffee? This coffee is made using 100% arabica coffee beans that gives this instant decaf coffee a lovely rich flavor for all to enjoy. No artificial chemicals are used during the harvesting of these coffee beans, which is great news for people who have allergies to certain chemicals or don’t like ingesting them.
Another bonus is no preservatives or additives are in this decaf coffee, either. The method used to decaffeinate this coffee is by using natural carbon dioxide; this allows the coffee flavor to be unaffected.
Pros:
+ 100% arabica coffee beans
+ No artificial chemicals
+ 100% organic certified
+ 6 x 3.53-ounce jars
+ 99.99% caffeine free
Why We Like It – Being organic and made using 100% arabica coffee beans makes this decaf coffee a premium choice. Six jars containing 3.53-ounces each are included in this package.
3. Folgers Instant Coffee
This is a sustainably sourced decaf instant coffee which comes in a convenient flip-top jar, making it easier for you to open and close. Folgers instant coffee is a medium roast decaffeinated coffee that has a delightful rich aroma, which makes this a satisfying beverage for any time of the day.
These decaf coffee crystals can also be used in various recipes, due to them dissolving instead of creating extra water. They are perfect for sauces and batters. You can even make iced coffee or desserts, making these decaf coffee crystals very versatile.
Pros:
+ Sustainably sourced
+ 99.7% caffeine-free
+ Medium roast
+ Easy open jar
+ 8-ounce jar
Why We Liked It – This is a coffee taster’s choice due to the aroma and taste. This large 8-ounce jar it makes this the best value option. You can pour 120 cups of coffee with this house blend.
4. Cafe Altura Decaf Instant Coffee
This delicious instant decaf coffee is made from 100% arabica beans and is also organic, kosher certified, non-GMO verified and sourced through the fairtrade program. The caffeine is removed organically using CO2, and by using this method, it provides a coffee that is 97% caffeine-free.
If you follow the recommended serving size you will be able to make around 120 cups of this instant coffee by just adding water. You can also use this decaf coffee in a variety of ways. If the sun is shining outside, then why not use it in an iced coffee, to keep you cool.
Pros:
+ 100% arabica beans
+ Organic and Fairtrade
+ 97% caffeine-free
+ 2 x 3.53-ounce jars
+ Non-GMO verified
Why We Liked It – With the organic processes used in this coffee and also being part of the fairtrade program, it’s nice to enjoy a cup of coffee that is ethically and organically sourced.
5. Community Coffee Café Special Decaf Coffee Pods
If you love drinking coffee for its flavor, you will be amazed by this offering from Community Coffee. For a decaf coffee, it is full of flavor and would be any coffee taster’s choice. As with some of the other decaf coffees on this list, this coffee is made using only 100% arabica coffee beans and is also ethically sourced. Each of these pods contains a medium to dark roast coffee, and you can use them with Keurig and other brewers.
Pros:
+ Full-flavored
+ 100% arabica beans
+ Medium to dark roast
+ Sourced from family-run farms
+ Single-serve brewing systems compatible
Why We Like It – Community coffee is a family-owned company since 1919, with generations of coffee production experience. This is a pleasing medium to dark roast coffee with full flavor.
6. Highground Organic Instant Decaf Coffee
As with some other coffees on this list, this one is also Fairtrade certified, which gives you peace of mind knowing that the farmers that produce the beans are treated fairly. This is a medium roast coffee, and from this jar, you can make more than 40 cups of coffee, which will keep you going for a while. There is a warning label on this product as it does contain a compound called acrylamide, which is known to cause cancer.
However, there has been no official advice to stop you from drinking this coffee. The acrylamide is due to the high roasting temperatures used and not due to anything being added to this coffee. This coffee is decaffeinated using the c02 process, which other decaf coffees also use.
Pros:
+ 100% arabica beans
+ Fairtrade certified
+ Medium roast
+ 3.53-ounce jar
+ Produces more than 40 cups of coffee
Why We Like It – This is an enjoyable medium roast coffee, which is also fairtrade certified. This jar will provide you with more than 40 cups of coffee.
7. Nescafe Instant Coffee Packets
Do you have an active lifestyle? Then this is the ideal decaf coffee for you. There are 80 individually wrapped servings, which is great if you enjoy picnics, hiking, and other outdoor activities. If you visit friends or a family member who doesn’t drink decaf and only have coffee in their houses, these are perfect to pop into your bag or pocket and take with you.
This instant decaf coffee is very smooth and is a mildly roasted house blend. Nescafe is known for being one of the best coffee companies worldwide and produces a range of coffees. All you need to do is add hot water and enjoy this smooth house blend.
Pros:
+ Easy dispensing box
+ Smooth house blend
+ Mild roast
+ 80 individually wrapped servings
+ Portable
Why We Like It – This coffee is great for all, easy to take out and about, and allows you to be prepared for those no decaf coffee available moments. There’s no need to use a spoon – the coffee sachet is the exact serving size, and you can even stir it with the sachet.
8. Starbucks VIA Instant Decaf Italian Roast
Just like the Nescafe house blend offering, Starbucks Via comes with 50 individually wrapped servings. If you enjoy a strong tasting coffee, then this dark roast coffee would be the best pick for you and is a full-bodied coffee taster’s choice.
This is an Italian roast decaf instant coffee and has been masterfully crafted to provide dark colored coffee, which is also darker than their espresso coffee. These individually wrapped servings are so convenient, and it’s so easy to make a cup of this delicious coffee. Add hot water, count to 10, and stir to enjoy one of the best instant coffees.
Pros:
+ Dark Italian roast
+ 50 individually wrapped servings
+ High-quality beans
+ Rich flavor
+ Notes of caramelized sugar
Why We Liked It – A dark, satisfying cup of instant decaf coffee is guaranteed with this coffee. It’s easy to carry around in your bag and makes coffee in an instant.
9. Douwe Egberts Pure Decaf Instant Coffee
This is a trusted and globally well-known brand for producing various coffee types, including instant coffee. This coffee is a delightful medium roast, which is perfect for all and nice to drink whatever the occasion. This coffee only uses the best beans due to this being a premium brand, and you would expect nothing less.
The 3.5-ounce jar is a decent size, and it’s quality sealed to ensure it hasn’t been tampered with. As with many of the other coffees on this list, this is also a freeze-dried instant coffee that dissolves quickly in water.
Pros:
+ Medium roast
+ 3.5-ounce jar
+ Finest beans
+ Trusted premium house brand
+ Quality sealed
Why We Liked It – This instant coffee is nice to drink, but, best of all, it will suit all tastes. You can make this stronger by adding another spoon of coffee to suit your needs.
10. Sanka Single Serve Decaf Instant Coffee
This is a mega-pack of 100 individually wrapped servings of instant coffee, which also comes in a space-saving box. This pack is perfect for a busy household or an office environment. The box also includes the date this coffee was manufactured and states it should be consumed within 450 days of this date to ensure a fresh-tasting instant coffee. This mild roast coffee is very smooth and easy to drink. It’s 99.7% caffeine-free, so you can even enjoy a cup of this coffee before bed.
Pros:
+ 100 individually wrapped packets
+ 99.7% caffeine-free
+ Mild roast
+ Smooth
+ Space-saving box
Why We Like It – Enjoy endless cups of instant decaf coffee with this 100 pack from Sanka. A handy manufactured date is stated on the box to ensure you enjoy this coffee at its best.
Instant Decaf Coffee Buyer’s Guide
Instant Coffee
If you don’t own a device to make coffee, such as a French press or an electronic machine, instant coffee allows you to make coffee by just adding water or milk. Instant coffee comes in various forms, including powder, like the Starbucks Via Italian roast, or granules, like the majority of the coffees on this list. Instant coffee is made by firstly roasting the coffee beans, then the soluble and volatile contents contained inside the beans are extracted. The coffee is then either freeze-dried or spray-dried.
Decaffeinated Coffee
The decaffeination process occurs at the beginning stage of the coffee production and also before the beans are roasted. There are various methods used to extract the caffeine, including the use of organic solvents, supercritical CO2, and water. The organic solvent process uses various solvents, such as methylene dichloride or ethyl acetate. The CO2 process works by dissolving the caffeine in CO2. With the water process, beans are soaked for many hours in the water, and then solvents are used to extract the caffeine.
The caffeine needs to be removed by 97% to qualify as a decaffeinated coffee and meet US standards. Interestingly though, the EU standard for decaf coffee is 99.9% removal of caffeine.
If you are looking for a coffee that has the lowest amount of caffeine, Mount Hagen is the best instant coffee, as it has 99.99% of the caffeine removed. This coffee is also a coffee taster’s choice as natural carbon dioxide has been used, which does not alter the flavor of the coffee. Café Altura has the highest amount of caffeine remaining, at 97% removal, only just meeting the US standards.
Single packet vs Jar/Tub
Are you always in a rush or out and about? If so, the single packet decaf instant coffee would be your best purchase. They are individually portioned so you can monitor the amount of caffeine you are consuming with each cup you have. With a spoon, you may measure slightly over the recommended amount. The single packets are handy to have with you if decaffeinated coffee isn’t available.
Starbucks Via single packets are good if you’re trying decaffeinated coffee for the first time, as they have a nice rich coffee flavor. Also, they keep for a long time. If you find you don’t want to drink decaf coffee anymore, you can also give them to someone else, as giving someone the recipient doesn’t always appreciate an open jar or tub.
What is the best instant decaf coffee?
It’s hard to pick just one instant coffee, as all the coffees on this list are great and would be classed as a taster’s choice for various reasons. Mount Hagen can be classed as one of the best, due to it being organic and also 99.99% caffeine-free. It does depend on personal taste to define the top instant coffee, as the Maxwell House instant coffee would suit someone looking for a smooth creamier taste.
Is instant decaf coffee bad for you?
No. Instant decaf coffee is safe to consume. Some people may be wary due to some processes using chemicals to extract the caffeine, but drunk in moderation, these chemicals won’t affect your body. If you are conscious about the chemicals used, there are plenty of decaf instant coffees on this list that don’t use chemicals in their coffee production.
Is there a decaf coffee that tastes good?
All decaf coffees taste good, but again, it is purely on personal preference. Starbucks Via is one best coffee options for taste, and the Italian roast is full-bodied. Add water and enjoy the dark roast flavor. If you prefer a sweeter taste, Maxwell House coffee instant decaf would be your best choice, as it includes a blend of French vanilla so it provides a creamier flavor. You can also add it to water or milk. Milk will ensure a creamier taste.
Which instant decaf coffee has the least caffeine?
Mount Hagen has the least caffeine and would be your best choice if you would rather not consume caffeine.
Conclusion
There is a huge range of instant decaf coffees on the market, which range in roast strength and caffeine content. The Maxwell House instant decaf coffee is a light roast with a creamy taste, and the Starbucks Via is a rich dark roast. If caffeine content is your main deciding factor for your purchase, Mount Hagen is your best choice, as 99.99% of the caffeine has been removed.
All of these coffees are so easy to make and don’t require time to brew. Add hot water or milk if you prefer, and you are ready to go. If you lead a busy lifestyle, the single-use packets may be your best choice, as you can pop these in your bag and enjoy them on the go. There are three instant coffees on the list that are single-use packets, which are the Starbucks Via, Nescafe, and Sanka.
If you find caffeine has a negative effect on your body, and you want to limit the amount you consume, instant decaf coffee is a great option for you. The first time you try coffee without caffeine, you may notice a slight difference, but after a few cups, you will get used to the taste. It’s a good idea to try different instant coffees to find the roast that best meets your needs.
Switching from coffee to decaffeinated coffee can give you symptoms such as headaches or fatigue, so if you find you are suffering from these symptoms, don’t worry, it is absolutely normal, and they will disappear. You may find it easier to switch slowly. Maybe try a decaffeinated coffee in the evening and then slowly introduce a caffeine-free option.
