It is a cool afternoon and you are feeling like enjoying a nice hot coffee to warm you up, but if you do, your eyes will be wide open, staring at the ceiling until 3am. What ever could you do? Why not try a decaf espresso.
What is Decaf Espresso?
A common misconception is that espresso is made using a specific type of bean. That is false. Espresso coffee is a brewing method, not a type of bean. Decaf Espresso describes any espresso shot made using decaf coffee beans, generally roasted to a medium or dark, it really boils down to personal preference.
Best Decaf Espresso Beans!
In our opinion the best decaf espresso beans come from organic coffee that is decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process. This method of decaffeination is 100% chemical free and one of only two methods of decaffeination that is certified organic. Because the Swiss Water Process only uses water to remove the caffeine, it allows the bean to maintain it’s integrity.
Does Decaf Espresso contain caffeine?
Decaf coffee must have at least 97% of the caffeine removed to be classified as decaffeinated. Swiss Water provides a guarantee that all of the coffee decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process is 99.9% Caffeine free. What does this mean? It means a few milligrams of caffeine per cup, compared to a 100 milligrams or more in an 8 oz cup of regular coffee.
How To Make Decaf Espresso!
The best way to make a decaf espresso at home is with a countertop espresso machine. This will produce espresso as good as any you will find in a coffee shop. If you do not have an espresso machine, you can also use a moka pot or a French press.
Counter Top Espresso Machine
- Grind the beans: Espresso requires the beans to be ground very fine. A single shot of espresso is around 9 grams of coffee and double shot requires roughly 18 grams of coffee.
- Fill and tamp the decaf coffee grounds: Fill the basket so it is piled slightly over the top of the rim, use the tamper to firmly press the coffee into the basket until it is fully compressed. In order to get the best decaf espresso shot, ensure the coffee grounds are as even as possible in the basket.
- Pull the shot: The ideal time to pull the shot is generally around 25 to 30 seconds. If it is taking longer or shorter than that time, it is most likely the grind of the coffee. You may need to experiment with your particular machine to find the ideal grind.
French Press
With a French press espresso it is important to grind the decaf coffee beans to a medium fine grind. If you grind the coffee too fine like you would for an espresso machine, it will be hard to strain in the French press and you will end up with sediment in your cup.
- Grind the beans: Grind about a half cup of organic decaf coffee beans (or any beans of your choice) to a medium fine grind.
- Heat the water: Heat just over ¾ of a cup of water to not quite boiling (200 degrees ferenheight)
- Add the water: Add the water to the decaf coffee in the French press, stir and wait four minutes.
- Plunge: Slowly depress the plunger all the way down and enjoy.
Moka Pot
What is a moka pot? A moka pot is a stove top coffee maker that brews coffee by passing boiling water pressurized by steam through ground coffee.
- Grind the beans: For a moka pot it is best to grind the beans similar to how you would grind beans for a drip coffee. Roughly the consistency of table salt.
- Add the water: Fill the water reservoir to the fill line with cold water.
- Fill with coffee: Insert the coffee basket into the water reservoir and fill to the top with the decaf coffee grounds (or any coffee you prefer). Do not pack the coffee grounds down as this could cause too much pressure during the brewing process.
- Place over heat: Assemble the top and bottom portions of the moka pot and place over medium-low heat. This will increase the brew time but produces a decaf espresso with full flavor. Leave the lid open until the coffee begins to come out of the spout, then close the lid. Once you start to hear a hissing sound, remove the moka pot from the heat and allow the coffee to finish brewing.
Enjoy!