Q: My mother in law LOVES good, whole bean coffee. Her birthday is in March, and we would like to make her a gift basket filled with new flavors to try. Seems easy — but here's the catch: She wants decaffeinated coffee that's a dessert blend — something nice to drink in the evenings before bed. I know she loves Starbucks coffee — but I would like to give her a few new brands to try out. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Sent by Carrie
Editor: Carrie, we actually have a short post about this in the archives:
• Tip: How to Choose Decaf Coffee
To sum up: When coffee is decaffeinated, regardless of the process that is used, some of the flavor is lost. It will often have a thinner body, and a sour aftertaste. One of the best ways to avoid the worst defects of decaf coffee is to look for blends. Don't choose beans from just one region (Africa, Latin America, Indonesia) — look for a blend that has been specifically crafted to balance the defects created by decaffeination.
A good local roaster should be able to guide you to something like this! Good luck — I can't drink coffee after 1 or 2pm, so while I am a pretty intense coffee geek, I also am always looking for a well-balanced, well-roasted decaf.
Readers, any recommendations?
Related: What Is the Best Way To: Make Coffee at Home?
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A friend recently highly recommended the Decaf sold at whole foods. It is swiss water-treated (rather than formaldehyde treated) an available in whole beans. She said its delish!
Peet's decaf Major Dickason's or their decaf House Blend or Mocca Java; Blue Bottle Decaf Noir; Intelligentsia Black Cat decaf, and finally Stumptown Trapper Creek.
I also like Valentine Coffee Roasters' Columbia Royal Select, "Chemical free, organic decaffeination process". You can find it online (or in Milwaukee): http://valentinecoffeeco.com/products-page/
Blue Bottle makes a delicious decaf that I've served after dinners on a few occasions.
I second the Whole Foods Decaf! By the bigger bag for more bang for your buck.
I third the Whole Foods Decaf! I'm pregnant so I had to switch to decaf and it almost tastes like real coffee! I really miss real coffee. And wine. But that's a bit off topic.
Whole Foods decaf is also "Whole Trade", which makes the decision a little easier for us.
Look for a decaf that is swiss water processed instead of chemically processed. I like Caribou's decafs.... if she wants it with dessert go with a darker roast.
I second Peet's Major D's!!
Check out Stumptown Coffee out of Portland, they make a decaf which I admittedly haven't had, but they make outstanding coffee. You can buy coffee directly from them online. This company pretty much fuels Portland.
I recommend Illy decaf coffee. I think she would be very pleased with this choice. Plus the can it comes in is perfect for gifting or adding to a basket.
I drink the Stumptown House Decaf daily. It's the best I've found. Much better than the Whole Foods options. Give it a try!
Anything but Starbucks! I'm pregnant and a coffee fanatic. I would highly recommend Intelligentsia or Metropolis decaf coffee. The Whole Foods decaf coffee is also good.
http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/
http://www.metropoliscoffee.com/shop/
I second Stumptown House decaf. you can order it online. Delish!
I also switched to decaf because I am pregnant and I really like Trader Joe's Fair Trade French Press Decaf.
Peet's is the best decaf I've tried, and I've tried plenty.
I second Teecino! It tastes terrific and has lots of flavors. I've been drinking it for over a year.
Intelligentsia's Decaf Librarians Blend is amazing. Everything Intelligentsia roasts is amazing!
http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/store/overview/Coffee
I really like DOMA's Bella Luna Decaf:
http://www.domacoffee.com/product_listing.php?id=4
If you're looking for caffeinated, I like DOMA's Mia's Organic blend as well as Carmela's, but pretty much anything they offer is delicious.
Definitely try Peet's and Stumptown, also check out Caffe Vita and Seattle Coffee Works.
Thanks, everyone! This gives me a great place to start. I appreciate the help!
Here are some interested decaf flavors to consider trying: Cinnamon-Hazelnut Decaf, Decaf Chocolate Peanut Butter. Snickerdoodle Decaf, and
Vermont Maple Crunch Decaf.