I Love Decaf

Celebrate October 31 with Our Luxurious Halloween Tea

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October 31st.. Teatime is almost upon us. 

An icy wind cuts through the ragged net curtains of Madame Vlatzski’s tumbledown shack on the edge of the graveyard. Standing with her palms flat on the counter, her head rolls back as evil-smelling orange ectoplasm spills from the spout of the steaming vessel. Her white eyes gaze at an imagined abyss as a rough voice tumbles with a name from the ether. An infestation of cluster flies spell out the name on the wall – that of the supermarket rooibos tea that stains the veil between this world and Paradise. 

A bolt of lightning backlights a figure that stands in the doorway.

“Begone foul brew! Thine name is repellent; thine tea is coarse and profane.” 

There is a clap of thunder, and sunshine suddenly permeates the gloom. Madame Vlatzski regains her composure as the figure enters the premises.

Dressed in a dark twill suit and carrying a doctor’s bag, he takes his seat at the table and throws Madame Vlatzski a small bag labelled Luxury Halloween Punch Tea.

“No milk, no sugar, please”, he calls, “and may I have a biscuit and a small exorcism with that, thank you.”

Madame Vlatzski opens the bag and takes in the heady aroma of red bush and blackberry leaves, cinnamon, orange blossom, safflower petals, clove buds, cardamom seed and ginger.

“Madame, this mesmerising blend of intriguing charm and irresistible warmth will imbue your soul with eternal contentment – or at least until Blankety Blank comes on. There are some things that can never be put right. Stick that in your brewing vessels and allow to steep.“

The stranger was never seen again after that night. Madame Vlatzski still makes her Luxury Halloween Punch Tea to this day, but only during the month of October until the night of All Souls’ Eve – Halloween.

Luxury halloween punch tea

Luxury Halloween Punch Tea

When the veil between worlds is especially thin, they say you can hear the screams of souls forever forced to sip supermarket infusions. More bite than a bat, more punch than Judy, this spicy rooibos with cinnamon, blackberry leaves, orange blossom, safflower petals, clove buds, cardamom seed, ginger extract and natural flavourings will warm your eternal soul. Also can be enjoyed during séances (it’s OK to say where you got it from).

£13.49 – £49.99
Shop now

Why the Top 3 Decaf Teas at I Love Decaf are the Best You Can Get Anywhere

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Introduction

When you’re looking for a great cup of decaf tea, there are many to choose from. We’ve sipped all sorts of decaf tea in our time, but it’s hard to find one that will refresh and energize without compromising on the taste.

In this article, we will take a look at three of our favourites, and give you tips on how to choose the perfect one for your needs. 

It turns out that choosing our favourite top 3 I Love Decaf decaf teas wasn’t as difficult as it could have been. Choosing the best three is simple when we only do the best three you can get.

1. Sheba’s Small and Large Leaf Best Decaf Tea

If you’re looking for a quality decaf tea that with excellent, malty notes that make it perfect for a refined breakfast tea experience, Sheba Large and Small Leaf Teas are the perfect option for you.

We offer our rich, powerful and golden brews in small and large leaf styles. And like all our decaf tea, we use only the finest quality leaves.

Our decaf teas are perfect for people who want to reduce their caffeine intake or for those who are trying to avoid caffeine altogether. Not only that, but we always insist that taste is the most important consideration with decaf tea.

Our teas are delicious and will leave you feeling refreshed and energized.

If you’re looking for the perfect decaf tea, look no further than Sheba’s Best. Choose from large leaf and small leaf variations.

2. Lancashire Black Decaf Tea

Lancashire Black Decaf Tea is a delicious black tea that is perfect for those who are looking for a decaf option. Its name is a nod to a famous brand from the county next door, but our decaf is better than theirs.

Lancashire Black Decaf Tea is a straight Ceylon Leaf  – the finest black tea from Sri Lanka and is decaffeinated using the high quality CO2 process. This decaf tea is great for those who want to enjoy a delicious cup of strong tea but don’t want the caffeine.

It is also perfect for people who are looking for an alternative to regular black tea.

If you are looking for a delicious decaf tea option, try our Lancashire Black.

3. New English Breakfast Brew Decaf Tea

If you’re looking for an excellent decaf tea, look no further than I Love Decaf. Our English Breakfast Brew Decaf Tea is the perfect choice for anyone who wants a delicious and healthy cup of decaf tea.

This decaf tea is sourced from a single Kilkotagiri estate Nilgiri black tea in Tamil Nadu, its healthy leaves, with their smoky and oak notes, are perfectly captured in this decaffeinated black tea using a chemical-free method.

It’s also ethically and sustainably sourced. It delivers the same great flavour and health benefits as a regular English Breakfast Brew, but it’s also much lower in caffeine so is therefore ideal for those who are concerned about their caffeine intake.

Our decaf teas are available in a variety of weights, so you can choose the perfect option for your needs. We also offer a variety of other great teas, so be sure to check out our website for more information.

I Love Decaf Tea Promise

At I Love Decaf, we know that decaf is a popular choice for many people. That’s why we make sure that our teas are top quality and the best decaf around. We like to think we put the Love into Decaf.

Our promise to you is this: If you’re not happy with the taste of your brew, get in touch and we will refund you or send you another tea to taste.

Every tea we sell at I Love Decaf is decaffeinated using the most advanced technology available. We take great care in ensuring that our teas are free from caffeine, not just as a health choice but also because it’s the right thing to do.

We hope you enjoy our selection of our top three decaf teas!

Decaf for Health: The 5 Science Lessons that Prove the Decaf Claims

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Coffee is a very popular drink. It has an air of sophistication, a modish and fashionable image and has even been on the leading edge of a few cultural phenomena over the years. 

Decaf coffee, less so.

Decaf’s reputation is a negative one. In part that’s down to its history as a less-than satisfying drink, a reputation forged in the coffee marketing of yore, when the most significant standout property of coffee was its caffeine content. Even though coffee is now celebrated in terms of its subtleties of taste and aroma, the perceived disappointment of not getting ‘a fix’ of brain jolt still seems to cast a long shadow over decaf. 

The negativity around decaf also has its roots in long-gone decaffeination processes that often included some fairly dodgy chemicals. Decaffeination is now a safe process – some of the methods have even achieved organic standards – but the reputational damage lingers. Even now that doctors are recommending some of their patients to switch to decaf for health benefits, it’s still seen as a loss, or worse, a kind of medical punishment.

The biggest obstacle to decaf’s healthy redemption is that some stuck-in-the-past coffee purists and anti-decaf snobs seem to think that the well-known benefits of coffee drinking are all down to the caffeine. That’s simply not true. The same helpful compounds are found in both regular and decaf coffee.

By going decaf, you get all the benefits (and can drink more) of your favourite flavours without shaking or shuddering like a malfunctioning, off-balance spin dryer.

Decaf for Health: Learn the science that proves the decaf claims

1. Decaf coffee may reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes

It has long been believed that coffee can cause a reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes, and many people advocate for coffee over decaf because of this. However, recent studies show that there are other explanations for the positive effects of coffee than the caffeine. Decaf coffee can have positive effects on Type 2 Diabetes as well, without experiencing the negative results of caffeine. It is now known that decaf coffee can be just as beneficial as regular coffee without all the risks that go with it.

2. Going decaf can have positive effects on sleep, health and mood

The first thing you might reach for in the morning is coffee to wake you up. However, this can have a negative effect on your sleep schedule because caffeine is a powerful stimulant. By introducing it into your body as soon as you wake up just reinforces dependency. Cutting back or eliminating caffeine altogether will improve sleep – and that’s really the only sustainable way of improving your morning energy levels.

Caffeine may also exacerbate symptoms of those who suffer from panic attacks or long-term anxiety disorders.

3. Decaf has nearly the same antioxidant levels as regular

Decaf has almost the same amount of antioxidant compounds, but with virtually none of the caffeine remaining. If you have been drinking caffeine for health reasons, you can switch to decaf without any consequence.

4. Decaf is less acidic and can reduce heartburn and reflux

Coffee is both acidic and often caffeinated, making it irritating for sufferers of chronic heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease – or GERD. A major benefit of decaffeinated coffee is its lower acidity, thanks to the decaffeination process. For those who suffer from chronic heartburn, switching to decaf can be a way of lowering their daily intake of acidic foods and limiting their reflux and other symptoms.

5. Going Decaf Can Lower your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Decaf coffee can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease if you have a family history of heart or circulation issues. Decaf has fewer stimulant components than that mug of regular Joe and appears to reduce the risk of developing these sorts of conditions.

Decaffeinated coffee has many health benefits

People who drink decaf coffee are often marginalized for doing so, with caffeine snobs saying it has no point or is full of chemicals. The world’s infatuation with caffeine means that there’s much less decaf coffee and tea sold, so you don’t get much of a choice of the good decaf in the shops or supermarket. (And that’s why we started I Love Decaf.) 

Coffee is an amazing and healthy drink – caffeinated or not, but only by removing the caffeine does it become even healthier. Decaf coffee is healthy. It has many benefits, and for those with conditions triggered or worsened by caffeine intake (e.g. headaches, sleep disorders, anxiety), it has fewer drawbacks.

Even if you do not suffer from the effects of caffeine, you are likely to improve your health, mood and energy levels by canning the caffeine. If only because – without all those drawbacks – you will be free to drink much more of it.

Decaf Coffee: The 3 Reasons Why You’ll Love Decaf Too.

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Why Decaf Coffee is exactly what you need

We all know that coffee is packed with antioxidants and can help improve focus and concentration. But what about decaf coffee? Is it worth drinking, or is it just a waste of time and energy?

Introduction

In this article, we’ll explore 5 reasons why decaf coffee is exactly the drink you need. From its health benefits to its great taste and aroma and its ability to improve focus and concentration, decaf coffee has a lot to offer!

1. Decaf coffee is lower in acidity.

Decaf coffee is often thought of as being less tasty and weaker than regular coffee. But decaf coffee actually has a lower acidity than regular coffee. This makes it easier on the stomach for you if you have a sensitive stomach or want to try to avoid heartburn.

That’s a plus one for decaf coffee, but doesn’t regular coffee have quite a few health benefits? Does decaffeination take any of those away? The good news is that decaf coffee still has those self-same health benefits as a cup of regular coffee. Decaf is still a great source of antioxidants and can also help to improve brain function. 

I Love Decaf’s decaf coffees are roasted with the same skill and ground with the same care you’d exercise for regular beans, so our decaf coffee can be just as tasty and enjoyable as regular coffee. So, if you are looking for a way to enjoy the benefits of coffee without the caffeine, decaf coffee is a great option.

2. Decaf coffee has the same health benefits as regular coffee.

There are many reasons to switch to decaf coffee, even if you’re not trying to cut down on caffeine. As we already mentioned, decaf coffee has the same health benefits as regular coffee, including a reduced risk of diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Decaf coffee is also just as effective as regular coffee at improving mood and reducing stress levels. So if you’re looking for a way to relax and improve your mood, decaf coffee is a great choice.

And if you’re worried about the taste of decaf coffee, there’s no need to worry. With I Love Decaf’s brewing methods, decaf coffee can be just as full of flavour as regular coffee. So if you’re looking for a delicious and healthy beverage, decaf coffee, again, is the perfect choice.

3. Decaf coffee is a good source of antioxidants.

I Love Decaf’s decaf coffee is a brilliant source of antioxidants, which are important for many reasons. Antioxidants help to protect your cells from damage, and they also have been linked to lower risks of some chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Decaf coffee also contains other beneficial nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals.

Decaf coffee is available in many different roasts and grinds

There are many different types of decaf coffee available on I Love Decaf. You can find decaf coffee as whole beans or a variety of grinds tailor-made to different kinds of coffee-masking equipment and in medium, and dark roasts. This means that you can find a decaf coffee that suits your taste preferences.

If you find that regular coffee makes you feel jittery or anxious, decaf coffee is the way to go. It has the same flavour and aroma as regular coffee, but without the caffeine. This means that you can enjoy your coffee without having to worry about the side effects of caffeine.

Decaf coffee is available in many different roasts and grinds, so there’s bound to be one that suits your taste. If you’re looking for a decaf coffee that tastes great and doesn’t sacrifice flavour, try one of these.

Orizaba Mountain Coffee (Swiss Water Style)

A full bodied with well-developed texture and sweetness, this exceptional Mexican coffee uses the crystal-clear spring water from the country’s highest mountain – Pico de Orizaba – to first steam the green coffee beans, then wash them free of caffeine. 

Luxe Organic Swiss Water Honduran Decaf Coffee

Medium sweet, nutty roast with a fuller body, this brew from the Central American home of beautiful coffee is organic, Fairtrade and decaffeinated usibng the chemical-free Swiss Water decaf method. The coffee itself is grown at high altitude in the rain forests of Honduras. 

Happy Medium Roasted Decaf Coffee and Everyday Italiana Decaf Coffee

Our two great everyday decaf coffee blends are perfect brews from first thing to late night (remember: they won’t keep you awake).

Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf Coffee

Our Swiss Water Brazilian is made from the best arabica beans grown in the perfect climate. A bold and satisfyingly smooth coffee with notes of rich dark chocolate.

Conclusion

While some people might think decaf coffee is a waste of time and energy, there are actually quite a few reasons to give it a try. For one, decaf coffee still has many of the same health benefits as regular coffee, so you can enjoy those without having to worry about the caffeine jitters. Additionally, decaf coffee is more forgiving on your stomach and won’t keep you up at night the way regular coffee can. And lastly, with the right preparation, decaf coffee can be just as delicious as its caffeinated counterpart. So if you’re looking to cut back on your caffeine intake or simply want to mix things up, be sure to give I Love Decaf’s decaf coffee a chance!

Why Organic Decaf Coffee Beans are Number 1.

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Most people don’t know that organic decaf coffee beans are the best to grind and brew with. If you are not convinced, then buckle-up as we will be exploring why they are so good and what makes them different from other coffee beans.

Why Organic Decaf Coffee Beans Are The Best

Caffeine is one of the most consumed drugs in the world. It’s responsible for giving us that quick burst of energy we need to get through the morning, and for keeping us alert during the afternoon slump. But what are the ramifications of caffeine consumption?

One of the most common side effects of caffeine consumption is anxiety. In fact, research has shown that people who consume caffeine regularly are at a greater risk of developing anxiety disorders than those who don’t. And while it’s not clear why this is, it may have to do with the fact that caffeine disrupts the normal balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Another downside to caffeine is its impact on sleep. Too much caffeine can keep you up at night, leading to restless nights and a lack of quality sleep. And if you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, it’s not only going to affect your health – it’ll also affect your mood and productivity.

So why are organic decaf coffee beans better than regular decaf?

Organic decaf coffee beans are made from beans that have been organically grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides. This means that they’re free from chemicals that are harmful to human health. By comparison, regular decaf beans are grown in massive quantities where the beans are sprayed with herbicides and pesticides.

These chemicals can be harmful, impacting the immune, nervous and endocrine systems. These chemicals have also been linked to cancers and organ damage (such as liver damage).

Organic decaf coffee beans are decaffeinated without the use of chemical solvents such as ethylene glycol or methylene chloride. This means that it’s free from harsh chemicals that can cause inflammation and damage cell membranes – which is why organic decaf may taste better than regular decaf. Now you know all of these benefits of buying organic coffee, there’s just one thing left: how to find great brands (fortunately, you are in the right place).

The Benefits of Organic Decaf Coffee Beans 

The health benefits of organic decaf coffee beans are undeniable. Not only are organic beans more environmentally friendly, but they also tend to have higher levels of antioxidants, which can improve overall health. Additionally, organic coffee is often lower in caffeine than conventionally grown coffee. This means that you can enjoy a cup of joe without feeling jittery or overwhelmed. Finally, organic coffee often has a more complex flavor profile than regular coffee, making it the perfect choice for those who are looking for a unique and pleasing cup of java. 

Organic Decaf Coffee Beans vs Organic Ground

As soon as you grind your organic decaf coffee beans – like all beans – you start the clock on losing flavour. Buying the beans and a grinder makes your coffee even fresher,

Tips On Buying and Brewing the Perfect Cup

  • Brewing organic decaf coffee beans can be tricky, but it’s well worth it. Here are a few tips to help you get the perfect cup: 
  • Choose beans that are light and mild. Acidity is key in making a good cup of coffee.
  • Be sure to grind your beans just before brewing. Too much ground coffee will make your drink bitter and over-caffeinated.
  • Try using a French press or pour-over method to get the most flavor out of your beans. Both methods allow more contact with the coffee grounds, which results in a more intense flavour.
  • Finally, remember that temperature is key when brewing organic decaf. Brewing at too high or low of a temperature can result in poor taste or sourness. Experiment to find the perfect temperature for your taste preference.

Alternatives to Organic Decaf Coffee Beans

If you’re looking for organic decaf coffee beans, you should consider opting for beans that are certified organic. According to The Organic Trade Association, certified organic coffees are made from beans that have been grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers. In addition, certified organic coffees are not processed with irradiation, which is a process that uses high levels of radiation to kill bacteria. An end-to-end organic product will not have been decaffeinated with solvents or come into contact with other chemicals either. Swiss Water Process and Mountain Water process are likely to have been used in proper organic decaf coffee beans. Consequently, certified organic decaf coffee is likely to be much more environmentally friendly than non-organic decaf coffee.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a better cup of coffee, organic decaf coffee beans are the way to go. Not only do they have lower levels of harmful chemicals, but they also taste better than conventionally processed beans. If you’re on the lookout for an environmentally friendly option, organic decaf coffee beans are the way to go.

Top 10 ways to recycle decaf coffee grounds

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If you’re like most people, you probably throw away coffee grounds after each cup or every pot. It is smarter, after all, than your natural inclination, which is to throw it down the sink.

But did you know that you can use those grounds to improve your life in a number of ways? Here is our top ten of the best: 

1. Use them as an organic fertiliser. 

Coffee is a good plant food because it’s high in nitrogen and provides a boost to the growth of plants. Add some ground coffee to your soil before planting your plants and watch them grow more vigorously than usual.

2. Clean your windows with coffee grounds. 

Not only does this get rid of dirt and dust, but the grounds also have a cleaning effect on glass. Simply sprinkle some of those grounds on a cloth and wipe the glass clean.

3. Make natural ant-infestation killers with coffee grounds. 

Coffee is a natural flea killer, and its acidic properties help deter ants from establishing colonies. Just place some ground coffee inside small bowls or cups and place them near areas where ants are active.

4. Add grounds to your compost. 

Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen and electrolytes, which help promote microbial growth in compostable materials. 

5. Use your coffee grounds as mulch. 

Back out in the garden with summers getting hotter and drier, a layer of mulch in your flower or vegetable beds saves what water you can use in the garden from evaporating away. Coffee grounds are an excellent mulch and full of nutrients as well.

6. Use the decaf grounds to scrub pots and pans. 

Coffee Grounds work well as a scrubber because they are abrasive and have a ridged texture. 

7. Keep your path clear of snow.

Coffee grounds can be spread on icy paths and pavements, melting the ice and snow. The gritty texture of the grounds will also guard against slipping up by providing some traction. Coffee’s chemical make-up will prevent it from freezing in a similar way to road grit.

8. Getting rid of nasty smells.

Coffee grounds work as well as baking soda to get rid of pongs in your fridge. The same nitrogen that is good for your garden soil has an ability to absorb the foul smell of sulphur, among other dodgy scents. 

9. As an exfoliant you will never see in a TV advert for £150 face-cream.

Coffee grounds are similar to sand in texture and can be used as a natural skin scrubber. You can use them directly on your skin as an exfoliant and to clean clogged pores or make them into a loose exfoliating bar with water. Because you’re worth it.

10. As a kitchen condiment.

Coffee could be considered as a staple for most kitchens, but it also has a number of culinary applications, including in cooking. For instance, coffee grounds are often used as a smoky topping for meats like brisket or steak. Coffee grounds are also required ingredients for barbecue sauces and for rubbing meat. What is more, coffee is acidic, which tenderizes meat and breaks down nutrients.

The Best Decaf Coffee of 2022

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Why the best decaf coffee is the only one you want to drink.

We don’t need to tell you that coffee is one of the greatest and most popular drinks in the world. In fact, in the UK we drink almost 100 million cups a day. A day! And you wonder why the bathroom at work is so busy?

Decaf coffee for aficionados

For seasoned cofficianados, the positive effects of coffee are well known. Coffee, they say, helps you concentrate, provides you with a boost of energy, and may also increase your lifespan. They are talking about regular coffee, but most of it applies to decaf too. 

There’s plenty of evidence, by the way, that the energy boost and concentration that caffeine supposedly provides only really applies if you are craving caffeine in the first place.  For purposes of health, decaf coffee supplies all the antioxidants and phenols that its grown up addictive brother gives you, without needing another fix in a few hours.

Decaf coffee: no great shakes

You know that drinking too much coffee can get you jittery, give you headaches, anxiety or make you nauseous. Four cups a day of regular Joe could make you unable to walk around with a cup and saucer without sounding like a crockery cupboard in an earthquake zone.

Guess what? You can have your favourite coffee with much less caffeine – up to 99% less – and never notice the difference in taste, because decaf coffee has come a long, long way in the last few years.

Decaf coffee: the benefits of cutting caffeine

You should always head to a doctor if you want specific medical advice about caffeine, but ff you want to all but eliminate caffeine from your life, it’s time to get yourself a decaf coffee.

There are many different options, but coffee lovers are often disappointed switching from their favourite brand to the decaf version of their favourite brand. At I Love Decaf, we only sell decaf coffee and tea and have a variety of decaffeinated products to choose from. As far as decaf coffee goes, we sell it in every conceivable grind from whole beans to fine ground. 

Ground Zero: the secret of I Love Decaf coffee

Remember, we only sell decaf – our roasters start from first principles and get the very best from our beans. Our roasters believe, and we agree, that I Love Decaf coffee is among the best coffees – caf or decaf you can get. We’ve done the grind for you, so to speak, so now make some quality coffee with our best decaf coffee.

Orizaba Mountain Water or Swiss Water Decaf Coffee: Which Tastes Best?

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OK: A taste retest of two similar-sounding coffees on an over-warm day at the nub end of a July heatwave? Are you kidding me?

It’s one of the privileges of being a minion of a coffee company that you get to try out the goods. But you know what happens, right? You pour cup after cup of the Everyday Italiana Decaf and it’s so good it becomes the first, last and always cup of the day. A satisfying, amenable, comfy coffee that weaves itself into the afternoon as much as it unzipped the morning.

But what’s this? Word comes down from the top, El DeCaffito himself, that customers have asked him about our Brasilia Swiss Water and Orizaba Mountain Water Decafs. What are the differences? Which tastes nicest when? 

Your stash of Everyday Italiana Decaf is confiscated, and you are ordered on an expedition of discovery. To scale and survey the rainforests of Brazil, the mountain scenery of Switzerland and Mexico and come back with an explorer’s account of your findings. For Decaf. For humanity.

Actually, the memo looked like this.

Swiss water coffee memo

It’s pointless telling you that drinking coffee for a living holds any high drama or jeopardy, so we’ll take off our hiking boots, straw Panamas, put down the machetes and get on with it. 

Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf vs Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf: The rules. 

We hand-ground both Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf beans and Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf Coffee beans in two separate grinds. A medium grind for a French press and a fine grind for an espresso-style from a moka pot. We had to be sure not to overgrind the French press in case it over brewed in the cafetière and, likewise, sufficiently grind the espresso so its brief rendezvous with super-heated steam water in the moka pot would develop the brew enough. There’s a whole art to grinding, detailed right here on the Ground Zero blog. 

Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf Coffee

This should be the bolder of our two beans and it scored well, particularly from the Moka pot. It has a slightly richer roast with that caramelised chocolate note running right through the liquid. It produced a nice crema, and we would challenge anyone to call this a decaf in a blind tasting. It has enough body to make it taste full and substantial, with the flavour oils front and centre of the brew.

The French press cup was more laid back, but had equally delicious notes, not so much caramelised but still dark enough to make a satisfying drink.

No mistake, this is everything promised by Swiss Water decaffeination – all the original flavour is still there, everything except over 99% of the caffeine.

Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf Coffee

On paper – as it is on the packaging – Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf Coffee is a slightly lighter roast than the Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf coffee. The water in this case comes from the glacial meltwater streams on Mexico’s highest mountain, Pico de Orizaba. Other than that, the origin of the beans and the difference in roast, the process is very similar to Swiss Water. Once again, then, we expect great things from our Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf Coffee.

It did not disappoint us. Even after the truly excellent Brasilia Swiss Water decaf, our Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf shone in the Moka pot brew review. It’s lighter and has some of that chocolate goodness, but also fruit and a honey-like nutty sweetness. This is less bold than the Brazilian Swiss Water decaf, but rounder and just as satisfying.

The French press gave us cause for thought though. Steeped for a few minutes in the cafetière, we found a subtly more developed fruit and nut note than we had from the Moka pot, as if the chocolatey-ness had moved over and let it through. We went back for more from the French press but, as Sheryl Crow and Cat Stevens might sing, the first cup was the deepest.

Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf vs Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf: The result.

Both coffees are magnificent, but as there can only be one winner…

No, scrub that. 

What surprised us was the Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf Coffee’s performance in the French press. This reviewer prefers espresso style, but the cafetière version of Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf revealed a lot of hidden nuances in the flavour, so Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf gets the vote for the French press. Brasilia was not far behind, however.

The bolder roast of the Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf did very well in the frankly terrifying environs of the Moka pot and came out in one piece, so to speak, with its trousers on. After all the gurgling and percolating, it delivered a satisfying full punch of flavour.

Shoot Yourself for Free Coffee. Spread the Love from I Love Decaf

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Here’s a great way of getting your hands on a stash of I Love Decaf for nothing and a little bit of effort…

Take some pics of you drinking, making, enjoying I Love Decaf in your own home or office, plus one or two of I Love Decaf coffee in your own mugs on your own table.

We want to see I Love Decaf out in the wild. You don’t have to be one of the beautiful people sipping coffee and raising an eyebrow* at the same time looking all svelte and sophisti-micated in front of some moodily backlit venetian blinds. In fact, please don’t.

Or those men in linen jackets that look like cut-price Man from Del Monte types, face-snorting the beans and smooching hessian sacks. We want none of that, thank you.

Just you and yours making, drinking and enjoying I Love Decaf. We’ll feature the best and reward you with a month’s-worth of free coffee (1kg should do it).

Reply to this email with your pictures**: letters@ilovedecaf.shop

In return, we’ll send you a coupon code for £25 worth of coffee (or tea). It can only be used if you’ve sent us some pictures of a minimum quality***:

*Nobody can raise an eyebrow while sipping hot coffee without dribbling down their chins.

**By sending your pictures, you authorise us to use them for marketing purposes. They will not be sold. You will only be granting I Love Decaf Ltd a commercial licence to use them as required to sell tea and coffee, and for no other purpose. We promise not to deface your images or use Instagram filters.

***Definition of minimum quality: You’re drinking and/or making I Love Decaf coffee. We need to see your face and one/some/all the emotion/s that come with drinking the stuff. Blurred images won’t be accepted.

Regards

David – Founder

Can I Make My Own Iced Decaf Coffee?

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Every now and then in summer, the sun shines bright, everything warms up nicely then, bit by bit, not nicely at all. Pretty soon, it gets so warm that any enclosed space feels like a fan oven. A hot, steaming cup of decaf coffee is about the last thing on your mind. You need a cold drink. You need an iced coffee. 

In times like these, it’s tempting to get a tin of cold joe from the shop – most of the High Street coffee chains have their own, dreadful takes on iced decaf – but it’s not fresh and who knows what, exactly, is lurking in those cans? Chemical slop and more E numbers than the Exeter telephone exchange. It’s time to make your own.

The best advice for home made Iced Decaf Coffee? Start Yesterday.

The biggest disadvantage to making your own cold brew iced decaf coffee is that the initial brew takes quite a bit of patience. Typically, the concentrate you are making is the base for tomorrow’s cup of iced coffee.

But it’s well worth the wait. The perfect iced coffee has a smooth, round texture and taste and far less of the bitter notes. You will be steeping your ground decaf for up to a day in the fridgeand that gives plenty of time to develop the complex concentrate that gives iced coffee itsamazing full body. Slow and steady wins the race.

Steep Time: Managing the Iced Decaf Brew

Decaf that has been standing for a whole day in a cafetiere will be stewed and over extracted and about as pleasant to drink as diluted vinegar. We’ve all steeped fine ground in a French press and regretted it 3 minutes later, imagine how grim that would be in 24 hours. The trick – as with a regular cup of hot decaf – is in the grind. 

For iced coffee, you should use a medium-coarse ground to prevent your brew ending up full of oily acid. If you only have fine ground, you should reduce the brew time up to 50%. You’ll get your coffee quicker, but you’ll lose some of iced decaf coffee’s best features – the smoothtexture and full body. There’s a recipe for iced decaf coffee from coarse ground and separate instructions for making do with fine ground.

You should try whatever your favourite beans are and coarse grind them for iced decaf. A typical medium roast will make an excellent decaf iced coffee and you’ll get to discover more of the mellow end of your usual decaf cuppa. Darker roasts work well too – they tend to have more of the chocolate and nut notes that develop very well for iced decaf. An espresso-style roast will work well if you plan to add milk, cream or non-dairy alternatives in the final cup.

Recipe for Cold Brew Decaf Coffee

1. Put 800ml cold water into a large jug and add 100g of coarse-ground decaf coffee. Do not stir! Cover and leave for a day.

2. Stir the mixture slowly, then decant it through a sieve or funnel lined with coffee filter paper into another jug. This concentrate – enough for about 7 or 8 cups – keeps in the fridge for 2-3 days.

3. Serve 1-part cold brew concentrate to 2-parts water poured over ice.

4. Dilute with water to taste

5. Milk and sweeten to taste

Recipe for Cold Brew with Fine Decaf Ground Coffee

1. Put 50 grams of fine ground coffee into a large jug.

2. Add 450 ml of water.

3. Stir slowly for up to 60 seconds.

4. Leave in the fridge for between 8 and 16 hours
You might have to experiment with this over time. If the coffee isn’t super-fresh, you should brew for the longer period.

5. Filter the coffee through a fine grind filter.

6. Pour and serve over ice

7. Dilute with water to taste

8. Milk and sweeten to taste