Do You Drink Decaf?

Ghost47 on 19/06/2024 - 19:18
Last edited 19/06/2024 - 19:20

I've taken a massive liking to decaf lately. At first the taste was a bit weird because of the way the beans are processed but now that I've been drinking it exclusively for a while it tastes just as good as normal coffee to me and I can drink it at anytime I want without being concerned about the stimulant effects of caffeine. I've also noticed that overall I'm a lot less jittery/wired compared to when I drink caffeinated coffee. I actually think that it's been a total gamechanger for me personally.

I know some coffee snobs out there will look down on people who drink decaf but IMO a true fan of coffee appreciates all types of coffee; instant, cold press, drip brew, decaf, robusta, arabica, the vanilla flavoured one you can get from Costco, Bulletproof etc. and will be able to appreciate whatever coffee is placed in front of them, just like how someone who says "I really like cars" will be able to see beauty in all types of cars and not just sports cars or rally cars or super cars or someone who says "I love music" is able to listen to all genres and enjoy them for what they are.

So, as per the thread title, do you drink decaf? What are your thoughts on decaf?

Poll Options

  • 15
    I only drink decaf
  • 13
    I drink decaf usually
  • 31
    I drink decaf occasionally
  • 73
    I don't drink decaf/I only drink caffeinated coffee
  • 30
    I don't drink coffee
Food & Grocery Coffee

Comments

  • Pcosmic on 19/06/2024 - 19:21
    +7

    Why do you care what others think?

    • Ghost47 on 19/06/2024 - 19:21
      +5

      Hmm, I guess I'm just trying to see what other people think about decaf. Is that a problem?

      • Pcosmic on 19/06/2024 - 19:22

        I meant the coffee snobs part

        • Ghost47 on 19/06/2024 - 19:28
          +4

          I think it's just the snobby attitude that rubs me the wrong way. People should drink what they like to drink or can afford to drink, but don't look down on others or act superior because you are more into it than other people are.

          Like in this article, the second line has a quote from a "coffee expert". I just don't see the need for that attitude and it almost always comes from people who act like they're coffee experts etc.

  • SBOB on 19/06/2024 - 19:32
    +1

    some coffee snobs out there will look down on people who drink decaf

    Uptake of decaf is another indicator of societal collapse :)

    • Ghost47 on 19/06/2024 - 19:34
      +1

      Less people drinking caffeinated coffee = lower productivity = societal collapse? You may be onto something there.

      • SlickMick on 20/06/2024 - 08:24
        +3

        Or they're getting more sleep = more productive

  • onetwothreefour on 19/06/2024 - 19:39
    +2

    I've been drinking decaf tea recently.

    • Ghost47 on 19/06/2024 - 19:41
      +1

      There's decaf tea? What kind? I tend to drink green tea but I'm pretty sure even a cup of green tea has more caffeine than a cup of decaf coffee.

      • Agret on 19/06/2024 - 19:55
        +2

        I drink decaf green tea, decaf english breakfast and decaf tea.
        https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/262434/tet…
        https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/307864/twi…
        https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/87040/lipt…

        Also a big fan of lemon and ginger tea which is naturally decaf
        https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/326720/ner…

        My cupboard is full of tea bags lol, I also got these 2 coffee alternatives which are a bit weird but kind of compelling at times
        https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/159844/nat…
        https://mansfieldiga.com.au/lines/caro-inst-nat-bev-150gm (This one i've only seen in IGA)

        You can drink them with/without milk and have a similar 'taste texture' to coffee although taste a bit dodgy at first until you're used to them.

        I've been a huge coffee addict for the last few years and decided to quit/reduce caffeine a lot over the last 6 months.

        Bought a decaf cappuccino at an Italian restaurant and the waitress had to go check if they had decaf, I presume nobody orders it there cause it tasted like the beans weren't fresh lol
        Had another one at my local Ferguson Plarre this week and it was actually really good.

        Another thing I bought somewhere is this expensive 52% Cacao Hot Chocolate, I like it a lot.
        The tin says to use 3 teaspoons but I just use 2 since the stuff cost so much, still very chocolatey.
        https://pana-organic.com/range/hot-chocolate-200g/

        • Ghost47 on 20/06/2024 - 17:45

          Ah interesting, I've never looked for decaf tea so didn't know it was a thing. Is there any difference in taste? I'm definitely going to have to get some bags.

          https://pana-organic.com/range/hot-chocolate-200g/

          Pretty sure I've seen this when I looked up Hot Chocolate reviews, it did seem to get good reviews.

          • Agret on 12/07/2024 - 10:47

            @Ghost47: I'm not much of a tea snob so I can't say how much different it tastes as I have a whole cupboard full of different and constantly switch between what i'm drinking it's hard to really say. I get bored of flavors quickly so I have
            Green Tea
            Green Tea Decaf
            Green Tea with Lemon
            Green Tea with Jasmine
            Lemon & Ginger
            Roobias
            Black Tea
            Black Tea Decaf
            Earl Grey Tea
            Irish Breakfast Tea
            English Breakfast Decaf

            It drives my girlfriend nuts lol, I do get through them all though.

            I know it's an insult to tea snobs but I just drink all my teas "black" and I don't steep them, just leave the bag in the water while I drink it then refill the cup several times with the same bag. I have a Kogan kettle with adjustable temperature and usually make it at 80 degrees.

      • onetwothreefour on 19/06/2024 - 20:03
        +2

        These: https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/156690/tet…

        They taste just the same as normal tea but quite a bit more expensive.

        • McBanjo on 19/06/2024 - 22:58
          +2

          Oh my! Maybe I’m a tea snob now, but decaf tea definitely does not taste like regular tea.

          I tried them all and nothing really hit the spot. They’re so weak!

          The closest I’ve got is Yorkshire Decaf Tea. You can only get it at speciality UK import stores or online. Very strong taste still.

      • BoltThrower on 19/06/2024 - 20:08
        +1

        Rooibos. Popular in South Africa. Can't stand it.

        • Ghost47 on 20/06/2024 - 17:47
          +2

          I actually don't mind Rooibos, didn't know it was decaf.

          • Loopholio on 20/06/2024 - 18:35
            +4

            @Ghost47: It's not really decaf. The tea plant farmed to make this tea does not produce caffeine so there's no need to decaffeinate it.

  • Gdsamp on 19/06/2024 - 19:55
    +5

    I pair a decaf coffee with a No Doz

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 19/06/2024 - 20:01
    +1

    Drinking decaf is leading to Societal Collapse.

    DashCam AKA Rolts on 19/06/2024 - 20:01 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
  • JIMB0 on 19/06/2024 - 20:18

    I haven't seen a decaf bourbon and cola. Only sugar free.

  • barge-in hunter on 19/06/2024 - 21:04
    +3

    I generally do a half std half decaf shot in my coffee basket. I find most decaf beans don’t have much flavour but this seems like a good medium

    I solely do it so I can drink more coffees

  • Clear on 19/06/2024 - 21:06

    Coffee makes me really sleepy. It's good for those late nights when you can't sleep. I guess decaf would make me awake?

    • hudrob on 20/06/2024 - 07:42

      Caffeine has a relatively short elimination half-life (as low as 1.5 hours). Its not unusual for it to give you a quick pick-me-up, then have you crash later.

      Not sure this is why you seem to have a reverse response, but it's certainly why coffee isn't great when you're trying to concentrate for hours on end.

    • Pachydermus on 20/06/2024 - 10:47

      This is a common experience for people with ADHD. Not sure about the decaf strat though :)

      • Clear on 20/06/2024 - 10:53

        That would be the easy answer. I think it's the fat in milk and not enough lipase.

  • LanceVance on 19/06/2024 - 21:34
    +4

    I drink coffee, but have never had decaf. Not because I have anything against it, I just drink coffee for the stimulant effects, especially after lunch. Not a coffee snob at all, even drink instant to some people's horror. It's function over form for me, so I just don't see the point of decaf. Might try it one day.

  • 7ekn00 on 19/06/2024 - 22:09
    -2

    Good thing it's much better for you than normal coffee:
    https://newrepublic.com/post/181229/companies-poison-decaf-c…

    Did you never wonder how they removed just the caffeine from a naturally caffeinated product?

    Much more here: https://www.google.com/search?q=decaf+poisons

    Ever wonder what that "unusual taste that I got used too" was?!? Enjoy your concentrated dose dichloromethane :P

    Can just buy it in bulk now that you enjoy the taste: https://www.sydneysolvents.com.au/methylene-chloride/dichlor… ;)

    • mapax on 20/06/2024 - 06:42
      +3

      From the article

      coffee can also be decaffeinated without methylene chloride, using only water.

      • 7ekn00 on 20/06/2024 - 08:34

        Indeed, but water extraction doesn't change the taste ;) And OP noticed the change in taste …

        But that's ok, nobody does much critical thinking in these forums, just attacks …

        • Ghost47 on 20/06/2024 - 14:43

          I drink Swiss Water treated decaf at home but not every cafe offers Swiss Water treated beans, hence why I noticed the difference in taste.

    • Ghost47 on 20/06/2024 - 14:45

      I already knew all this stuff actually. I’m willing to take the risk because I prefer drinking decaf and no longer want to consume caffeine.

      Plus I drink Swiss Water treated beans at home (and WFH multiple times a week anyway).

  • McBanjo on 19/06/2024 - 22:55

    It’s usually just naturally decaffeinated coffee beans isn’t it?

    As in the bean just contains much less caffeine

    • SlickMick on 20/06/2024 - 08:26
      +2

      no

    • Loopholio on 20/06/2024 - 08:43
      +1

      No, there are a few different processes for decafinating coffee. The actual amount of caffeine removed differs between brands and processes. Drinking decaf will still have a stimulant effect, effecting sleep.

  • pegaxs on 19/06/2024 - 22:56
    -2

    What? No link to some weirdo website about how caffeine and/or decaf coffee is some end of the world catalyst and how it’s driving youth unemployment and poverty?

    • Ghost47 on 20/06/2024 - 15:13

      I reported your comment as being off-topic and it was rejected (as expected).

      If you hold grudges like this against others online I hate to see what you’re like in person.

      • BoltThrower on 20/06/2024 - 15:19

        They don't ban stalkers here. Just post a few lines of Eminem's Stan. Bonus points if you can fit their name and rhyme with it.

        • Ghost47 on 20/06/2024 - 15:23

          I’ve been here long enough to see that.

          Funny, the other comment I marked above (after marking this one) as “Trolling” was just removed. And the other one I marked as off-topic was hidden. But this one, nope, it’s neither lol.

  • Jaduqimon on 19/06/2024 - 23:57
    +2

    I drink decaf coffee and zero alcohol beer/wine

    • hudrob on 20/06/2024 - 07:43
      +1

      I just call it "water"…

  • Clambabula on 20/06/2024 - 06:53
    +2

    As one of the few people who wont make snide little remarks about your other post like im a school child in a playground: I dont drink it but I let my 13 year old have a decaf cup now and again. I have a seperate 500g packet for him as he likes the taste. Me? I dont see the point.

    • Loopholio on 20/06/2024 - 08:46

      Wouldn't that 500g packet be stale given it's rare use? Instant decaf (even Aldi sell it) would be better than stale coffee.

      • Clambabula on 20/06/2024 - 10:34

        I fridge it..ill bin it after a certain time
        He just wants to feel all grown up.

    • Ghost47 on 20/06/2024 - 14:40

      Thanks for that, people on these forums really like to get under other people’s skin for some reason.

      Responsible of you to not give your son caffeine. I started drinking decaf solely to see what things were like not feeling wired, I realised that caffeine affected me more than I thought it did (but I was just used to it).

  • ForkSnorter on 20/06/2024 - 08:06
    +1

    I don't think it tastes as good as normal coffee. There just seems to be something missing. But it still tastes OK, and I still drink it, because too much caffeine can have side effects.

    • Ghost47 on 20/06/2024 - 15:14

      At first I thought the same but eventually just got used to it, now it tastes exactly like caffeinated coffee and is actually just as satisfying.

  • SlickMick on 20/06/2024 - 08:34
    +1

    I used to drink only caffeinated, but I lost my immunity after a diet where I cut it out for a while, and now I can't sleep if I drink coffee in the evening.
    So I switched to decaf at night.

    However, it is a pain switching out beans, so I've gone all decaf at home, and just drink normal coffee at work.
    BTW regarding the taste comments: none of my coffee-drinking friends could tell I switched to decaf. (They aren't snobs, but are fussy. e.g. will drive to a coffee shop rather than accept pod coffee.) If you don't like decaf, maybe you need to try Swiss water-decaffeinated beans.

  • Sinnerator on 20/06/2024 - 08:56

    I can only drink decaf and MOST decaf sux ballz (it's weak and flavourless)
    so any cafes charging $6-$7 for a large (tiny) decaf can go ……………… themselves

    • Ghost47 on 20/06/2024 - 15:26

      People bash Macca’s coffee a lot but in my
      experience it’s actually pretty good, including their decaf. They have the best cups as well (double-walled insulated paper cups). Most cafes I’ve been to only have standard single wall cups.

  • stickingly on 20/06/2024 - 16:16
    +1

    My partner had to give up caffeine so we started drinking decaf at home. We tried a lot of different beans and they were all a lot weaker than caf, so not only are they a lot more expensive, but you need to use more.
    Fortunately she then decided to give up completely so I could go back to the Aldi dark roast beans for $12 a kilo which IMO taste better than all the decaf ones costing 5x as much than I tried

    • mapax on 20/06/2024 - 17:31

      Did you guys try Republica 100% Pure Decaffeinated instant? IMO it had the best taste to value ratio, and was on par if not better than most of the decaf beans I had tried.

      Full price is $13.5 for 100g but it goes on special occasionally. I use around 3g per coffee so it goes pretty far.

      • stickingly on 27/06/2024 - 09:43

        No didn't try any instant, only beans. The best we found were Sicilia Decaf Forte

  • ATTS on 23/06/2024 - 14:24

    Is it true the Dichloromethane used to decaf coffee bad for you?

    • Ghost47 on 10/07/2024 - 13:29

      Funnily enough there have been a few articles about decaf popping up for me lately.

      This article quotes a chemistry professor saying it shouldn’t be dangerous (methylene chloride is another name for dichloromethane). If people are concerned about solvents used to decaffeinate coffee there’s Swiss Water treated coffee too.

      • ATTS on 10/07/2024 - 17:42

        Tbanks for the link

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