Best Instant Decaf Coffee for 2024
If you’re looking for a quick and easy cup of coffee with no caffeine, don’t miss this list of the Best Instant Decaf Coffee! Find options for the best value, best flavor, best dark roast, and more.
Instant Decaf Coffee Benefits
Instant decaf coffee is a great on-the-go choice, an easy-morning choice, and it’s nice just to have on hand in your pantry.
Instant coffee is made in either of two ways: spray-dried or freeze-dried. First, the coffee is brewed into a strong concentrate and then it is either sprayed into a fine mist at a high temperature that dries as it reaches the ground, with all the water having evaporated.
When freeze-dried, the coffee concentrate is frozen into a slushy and then frozen to a deep cold of -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Once there are slabs of frozen coffee, it is broken down into smaller granules and put through a drying vacuum which evaporates any water or ice.
It is much simpler to make instant coffee back into liquid coffee, all you need to do is add it with liquid to a mug. It doesn’t even have to be hot, you can make delicious iced coffee with instant coffee and your favorite creamer or water.
You can also use instant coffee in desserts, enhancing the profile of a chocolate cake or to make an after-dinner-coffee with ease. I like to add a teaspoon of instant coffee powder to my edible double chocolate cookie dough for an easy treat.
Or, if you’re looking for non-instant coffee brands, try this list of the Best Organic Decaf Coffee.
Best Instant Decaf Coffee
These five best instant decaffeinated coffee brands are a great place to start your instant coffee journey. Between robust flavor, arabica beans, medium-roast, bold flavor, there is something here for everyone!
These are all decaffeinated, and ethically sourced with no nasty chemicals or toxins. I love the bold flavor and the ease of use.
Many people may turn up their noses at instant coffee brands, but I guarantee you that these options will surprise and delight even the most opinionated of coffee lovers. I have tried all of these in my quest to find the best instant decaf coffee. While I don’t drink it daily, I love to have it with me when I travel.
It would be interesting to do a taste test with some of these brands against whole bean coffee! My guess is that most people would not be able to distinguish the instant coffees on this list from regular coffee.
Bonus: another potential benefit of consuming decaffeinated coffee is that you may reduce the symptoms of heartburn and coffee.
1. Best Organic Instant Decaf Coffee: Mount Hagen
Mount Hagen coffee is certified USDA organic and fair trade, and their instant decaf coffee is decaffeinated through the natural water process and then freeze-dried to pack in flavor without the buzz. Organic coffee is free from pesticides and is better of the environment.
Plus, this instant decaf is available in individual sticks which are perfect for travel. I used it on a recent airplane trip and it was so convenient.
2. Best Swiss Water Process Instant Decaf Coffee: Verve
With tasting notes of honey, almond, and cola, Verve’s Vancouver Swiss Water Decaf Blend Instant coffee is as sultry as it is smooth. Mix with your favorite milk, soy milk, milk alternative, or water and enjoy hot or cold!
I love that they use the Swiss Water process in the decaffeination process.
Verve Coffee is committed to positively impacting the communities they partner with, ranging from environmentally sustainable growing practices, sourcing directly from farmers, preserving heirloom varieties, and paying fair wages, and more.
If you’re looking for a good cup of coffee, then you’ve got to try this one. It has a rich flavor and tastes like the real thing from a coffee shop.
3. Best Medium Roast Instant Decaf Coffee: República
This 100% Women-Owned-and-Operated company is also 100% organic, ethical, and fairtrade. Talk about a full cup! I am proud to include this brand on this list of the best instant coffee.
The coffee beans originate in South America and is sure to please any coffee drinker. The medium roast profile means that it has a complex flavor as opposed to the darker roasts.
Their instant decaf coffee is a medium roast with a smooth-as-caramel taste. You only need 1-2 spoonfuls of the instant coffee to enjoy a full-bodied flavor, mixed with your preferred liquid.
4. Best Value Instant Decaf Coffee: Highground Coffee
Highground Coffee’s medium roast instant decaf coffee is certified fairtrade and organic. It has a balanced blend for a mellow flavor that will perk you right up without any caffeine.
Mix it with your favorite hot water or milk, or try it over ice on a hot day. This is a great option for keeping on hand for emergencies or for taking with you on camping trips. Look for it online or at local grocery stores.
Bonus Recommendation
Still looking for additional options? A blog reader recommended Cafe Altura instant decaf and it has good reviews on Amazon.
Decaf Instant Coffee FAQs
Yes, regular instant coffee has less caffeine than brewed coffee. Typically brewed coffee has an average of 95 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces, while regular instant coffee has an average of 60 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces. The caffeine content will also vary depending on the type of roast, brewing method, and bean.
Decaffeination removes about 97% of caffeine from coffee beans, so decaf instant coffee would contain less than 2 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces. You are still going to get a little big of caffeine from decaf instant coffee, but not as much caffeine as regular brewed decaf coffee.
Instant coffee is made in either of two ways: spray-dried or freeze-dried. First, the coffee is brewed into a strong concentrate and then it is either sprayed into a fine mist at a high temperature that dries as it reaches the ground, with all the water having evaporated.
When freeze-dried, the coffee concentrate is frozen into a slushy and then frozen to a deep cold of -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Once there are slabs of frozen coffee, it is broken down into smaller granules and put through a drying vacuum which evaporates any water or ice.
Making a cup of instant coffee at home is simple! Add a spoonful (or two) of instant coffee crystals to your favorite mug and then pour your preferred liquid over top and stir.
You can use water, milk, or your favorite milk alternative like this super-easy homemade Vitamix almond milk. I also like to use homemade vanilla hemp milk when I’m making my instant coffee iced.
You don’t need to put instant pot in a French press as there is no need for a filter or a coffee maker when making instant coffee!
Instant coffee can be made directly in the cup you’re drinking from. Just add your preferred liquid (milk, non-dairy milk, or water) and you can use hot or cold liquid depending on your preference. You can also add your preferred sweetener, as well. Just stir, sip, and enjoy.
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Decaf Instant Coffee Conclusions
Instant decaf coffee is a must-have for your pantry and coffee cupboard. It’s so easy to whip up a quick cup of coffee for the afternoon pick-me-up you might want (without the buzz from caffeine!) or to add to your desserts for an enhanced, elevated flavor. I love for when I travel since it’s usually convenient to find hot water.
Gone are the days of the flavorless instant coffee—now we have options that are organic, fairtrade, swiss water processed, and best of all, rich in bold flavor! The good news is that you can try different brands to find the best option and the best decaf coffee for your taste.
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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with nearly 10 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.
Note: this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations related to your individual situation.
