Category: Rant

Decaf Ground Coffee: The 5 Reasons to Buy it From I Love Decaf

RantPublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on Decaf Ground Coffee: The 5 Reasons to Buy it From I Love Decaf

Decaf ground coffee is perfect for those who have to cut down on caffeine or just want to change things up a little. With I Love Decaf, you’ll find six great reasons to buy your decaf ground coffee from us!

Decaf Ground Coffee: All those 6 reasons have everything to do with taste

If you’re like most decaf coffee drinkers, you probably crave more choice and more flavour in your coffee. Maybe you’re trying to reduce your intake for health reasons, or maybe you find that caffeine makes you a bit jittery and you’d prefer to avoid it in the evenings. Whatever the reason, decaf ground coffee is a great option.

If you can find one that doesn’t taste characterless and bland.

There are plenty decaf ground coffee brands on offer that provide decaf as a punishment rather than pleasure, but if you haven’t worked it out, here at I Love Decaf, we love decaf.

When it comes to decaf ground coffee, we believe taste should never be sacrificed. We go the extra mile to ensure that our coffee is of the highest quality and flavour. So if you’re looking for a delicious cup of decaf read our six reasons to buy coffee from I Love Decaf: our choice of six great coffees.

1. Happy Medium Roasted Decaf Coffee

If you’re worried about the taste of decaf ground coffee, I Love Decaf offers a variety of delicious blends that are sure to please even the most discerning coffee drinker. 

The first is our Happy Medium Roasted Decaf Coffee.This reliable, tasty, decaf ground coffee is a cut above your typical Italian-inspired coffee shop serving, with a well-balanced smooth medium roast of expertly blended Arabica beans that loses 0% of the romance, and 97% of the caffeine drama. Happy Medium Roasted Decaf Coffeeis ideal for a filtered Americano and plays nice in the French press too.

2. Luxe Organic Swiss Water Honduran Decaf Coffee

Looking for a high-quality, organic decaf ground coffee”? How about I Love Decaf’s Swiss Water Honduran Decaf? This premium coffee is made with 100% Arabica beans decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process. This process uses only water to gently remove the caffeine from the beans, resulting in a cup of coffee that is 99.9% caffeine-free.

I Love Decaf’s Swiss Water Honduran decaf ground coffee is certified organic and Rainforest Alliance approved. This means that the coffee beans are grown and harvested in an environmentally sustainable way.

When you purchase this coffee, you can be sure that you’re getting a product that is good for you and the planet. So why not try it? You might just fall in love with it!

3. Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf Coffee (Swiss Water Style)

If you’re looking for high quality decaf ground coffee, you should definitely check out I Love Decaf’s Mexican Holy Water Decaf Coffee. This coffee is decaffeinated using the Mountain Water Method a process that is similar, but superior, to the Swiss Water method. Like Swiss Water, no chemicals are used in the process, but the water used comes from the crystal-clear meltwater streams from glaciers on Mexico’s highest mountain.

The coffee beans are soaked in water. The water is then filtered and the beans are removed. This process removes 99.9% of the caffeine from the coffee beans.

If you are looking for a high-quality, healthy, and delicious decaf coffee, Mexican Holy Water Decaf Coffee is the brew for you.

4. Brasilia Swiss Water Decaf Coffee

Brazilian Swiss Water Decaf Coffee. All our decaf ground coffees are great, this one is definitely and officially awesome.

Our Swiss Water Brazilian is made from specialty arabica beans grown in the perfect climate, this bold and satisfyingly smooth coffee produces notes of rich dark chocolate that’s consistent throughout the year.

The coffee is decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process, which is a completely chemical-free method that gently removes the caffeine from the beans. It has a rich, full body and a chocolatey flavor with hints of nuttiness.

5. No Nasties Half Decaf Organic Coffee

No Nasties Half Decaf Organic Coffee is a great tasting, organic, half-caffeinated coffee. It’s perfect for those who want to reduce their caffeine intake but enjoy the taste of coffee.

The beans in No Nasties Half Decaf Organic Coffee are ethically sourced and sustainably grown. They are also roasted in small batches to ensure freshness and flavour.

I Love Decaf is committed to providing the highest quality coffee possible. That’s why they only use 100% Arabica coffee beans and never add artificial flavors or preservatives.

When you buy from I Love Decaf, you can be confident that you’re getting a product that is good for you and the environment.

No Nasties Half Decaf Organic Coffee is a delicious organic coffee with less of the caffeine for those of that don’t want to go all the way or more of the caffeine if you’ve gone too far. Delicious notes of cocoa praline and orange permeate this hybrid with ethically hand picked coffee beans from the Nicaraguan Jinotega Estate augmenting Swiss Water decaffeinated Organic Fairtrade Honduran beans.

Decaf Coffee: Stop! It’s Espresso Crema Time

Decaf coffee hacks, Science of Coffee, Decaf coffee, RantPublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on Decaf Coffee: Stop! It’s Espresso Crema Time

I Love Decaf’s amazing frothy espresso coffee

If you believe all the moodily lit ads – the hessian sacks, mountain scenery and middle-aged men in white suits sieving beans through their hands – coffee is about so much more than roasted and ground beans soaked in hot water and served in a cup. You would be right, but not in the way those ads would have you believe.

So how does proper coffee differ from the insipid gack peddled by multinationals with big ad budgets? The taste? Yes. The aroma? Of course. The absence of pretention? Naturellement.

And with espresso, there’s the crema.

Orizaba mountain water decaf espresso ground coffee

With espresso – the doyen of coffee – a lot rides on the crema. Italian for ‘cream’, the crema is a layer of dense foam that forms on top of espresso coffee. This velvety layer – actually a suspension of microscopic particles of coffee oils – tells you that the coffee has real body and texture for the flavour to emerge from. It’s a sign of espresso quality.

A joke. How can you tell when a plane full of coffee snobs lands at an airport? It’s when you can still hear the whining when they turn off the engines.

There is a lot of whining from caffeine snobs about decaf, so we thought we’d put it to the test. Can we get a full-bodied, tasty espresso from our Orizaba Mountain Water Decaf? Will it have the full aroma and a healthy crema?

Who could we ask? 

To say our photographer, Yu-Kuang Chou, is serious about his coffee is a bit under-brewed, he is more of a coffee nut who doesn’t mess around, but we knew he had an open mind. So, we lured him to the studio to take some shots of our, errrr, shots and before we knew it, the aroma overcame him, and he was carrying a bag back to his coffee lab. 

His verdict?

“The beans gave a lot of crema during the extraction in my Oracle espresso machine. 

The flavour palate is quite full bodied and dark. It had an unexpected deep richness to it, which I didn’t expect from a decaf coffee.

I could tell it didn’t have caffeine but I didn’t mind as the flavour was right.”

Yu-Kuang Chou – I Love Decaf Photographer

Like Yu-Kuang Chou, challenge the idea that you can’t get flavour, aroma and crema from a decaf espresso like you challenge the idea that all the world’s coffee is traded by middle-aged men in white suits and Panama hats on remote mountain tops. All of that is a fairy tale; you’ll find your fantasy favourite at I Love Decaf.

Why Organic Decaf Coffee Beans are Number 1.

World of Coffee, Decaf coffee, RantPublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on Why Organic Decaf Coffee Beans are Number 1.

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.

Going Decaf and Fighting the 3pm Slump

Science of caffeine, Caffeine free, World of Coffee, Advice, RantPublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on Going Decaf and Fighting the 3pm Slump

One of the over-touted benefits of caffeine is as a pick-me-up – a stimulant that sharpens the mind and gets stuff done. While caffeine consumption revolves around these ‘accepted facts’, caffeine’s superpowers in the war on snoozing turns out to be over-played at best and completely fictitious at worst. 

Going decaf and fighting the 3pm slump

So, now you’ve gone decaf, how do you overcome the mid-afternoon mountain of doom that is the 3pm slump? The answer is all in the mind or, rather, the brain.

The brain is a brat. Your brain, my brain, your bosses’ brains are all self-obsessed, entitled, lazy bags of porridge comfortable with the high-life and quick fixes. You wouldn’t vote for your brain in a ballot if the only alternative was a brown paper sack of self-aware mashed potatoes. 

The brain’s biggest character defect is that it knows its own mind and is very uncomfortable changing it. All those gallons of caffeine it’s been swimming in your whole life, along with the sugar, the processed carbs and all the other quick hits, are what it’s used to. And it wants more. Your craving brain demands you run it a warm bath of cosy slop to hang around in every day. 

But you can challenge it. The brat can be changed. You already did by going decaf. A day or so of brain ache and things soon got better. Now it’s halfway through the afternoon and you’re feeling a bit limp, your brain wants you to run the bath as usual. Just once, for old time’s sake.

How to Avoid the Mid-Afternoon Slump Without Caffeine

As obstinate and lazy as a brain is, it’s also easy to out-wit. The best way out of the 3pm slump is a distraction, a change of pace, a new focus. Making your brain work in a different way means it will start making its own good time chemistry without all those artificial quick fixes. 

  • Get out of the office for a breath of fresh air, a bit of exercise. Exercise improves blood flow, helps brain chemistry and is more effective than caffeine at improving your alertness and focus.
  • Take a break. Sounds straightforward enough, but we don’t mean a sandwich at your desk, take a proper break away from your work environment, take in a view
  • Fire up your music player with high energy sounds or something you can completely shift your focus onto. We know at least one CEO who goes even further and takes his cello into his office. That’s probably not suitable for a cubicle worker but if you’re remote working, something similar might be the ticket to get away from the grind.
  • Give in. Surrendering to a crafty nap might be the best thing. We are programmed for the mid-afternoon siesta,and you will definitely feel better and the longer you sleep, the longer it will last. The so-called ‘power nap’ of 10-15 minutes can recharge you for a few hours, while getting in 90 minutes of sleep will allow your brain to experience all phases of light, REM and deep sleep. Deep sleep is where our brains consolidate memory, experience and learning. No wonder that a NASA study found a 26-minute nap improved productivity by over 30%.

Prevention is Better than the Cure

Bad sleep habits like late nights, evening snacking, and staring at screens into the evening can disrupt a night’s rest and can make us tired before we even get into work. Look after the nights and the days will look after themselves.

One last way to avoid hitting the caffeine in the afternoon is to play to your body and brain’s strengths and structure your day accordingly. We are much more mentally alert in the morning and much better at taking decisions, leaving the afternoon to practical matters and dexterity.

Why the Best Supermarket Decaf Coffee is not as Good as Ours (I Love Decaf)

Decaf coffee, Advice, RantPublished onUpdated onLeave a Comment on Why the Best Supermarket Decaf Coffee is not as Good as Ours (I Love Decaf)

You know how it is; every time you go to the supermarket, you look at the decaf coffee on offer and feel enthusiasm being sucked from your soul. If that sounds like you, then you have tried most of the own-brand decafs already and have come to the conclusion, as we have, that really good decaf is really hard to find in a supermarket. 

Many people – cofficianados and consumers alike – criticize own-brand decaf coffee for its lack of flavour, but the real problem is that it has lots of flavours, just not necessarily any pleasant ones. Even the packets remind us of that bloated feeling you get after bad coffee with its flavour notes of cat piddle and warm tyres. 

There isn’t a superstore decaf that doesn’t call to mind a warm evening in a fertiliser silo – not one that we’ve discovered yet, anyway.

In fact, if we were supermarket coffee buyers, we wouldn’t go to extreme lengths to preserve the taste. We wouldn’t stick it in foiled bags with re-sealable strips. Why bother maintaining a vacuum when leaving it on the porch in an open jar would at least let the fumes escape?

Our decaf is best

We started I Love Decaf to make the best decaf coffee you can’t buy in a supermarket. We believe that some kinds of decaffeinated coffee are less like a pleasing drink and more like a punishment and we wanted to do something to set it straight. It’s not just the supermarket own-brands either; many major brand coffees miss the mark on their decaffeinated spin-offs.

That’s why asking for the best supermarket decaf coffee is like asking for the most comfortable barbed wire shirt. Just because it’s the only shirt on offer doesn’t mean you should buy it.

Why the best supermarket decaf coffee is not as good as ours
Our decaf is best. We started i love decaf to make the best decaf coffee you can’t buy in a supermarket.

You can’t get I Love Decaf in the supermarket

To be honest, we can’t imagine even having a meeting at any of the big supermarket chains, and that’s not just because our MD Mr Roy Bosch (he is also a part-time alligator wrestler and balloon entertainer of some note) has anger management issues with idiots, it’s because we don’t want to sit in their soulless offices drinking their horrible supermarket decaf. It’s best for all concerned if we don’t. That’s not the kind of publicity we need.

Check out these superior decafs from the I Love Decaf range.