Most days, a piping hot cup of coffee is the only thing that can get us going in the morning. But for some, the effects of high caffeine levels can cause issues as the day goes on.
Whether it’s headaches, jitters, or a sudden energy crash, many things can happen after consuming coffee that is high in caffeine. Thankfully, there are options available to help.
Below we list ten types of coffee with low caffeine. If you want a change, consider swapping out your current blend for one of these instead.
Things To Know
The amount of caffeine in your coffee isn’t deduced based on the amount in the bean alone. Instead, many different factors contribute:
- Amount of beans or grounds
- Brewing style
- Type of beans
- Growth conditions
- Additives
The number of coffee beans that you use to make a cup of coffee will significantly influence the caffeine levels. The more you use, the more caffeine. Likewise, the fewer beans you include, the less caffeine you will have overall.
Additionally, how you make your coffee will impact its caffeine levels. For instance, regular drip coffee will have less caffeine than a French press or moka pot.
Many individuals are surprised to find out that light roast coffee beans are actually higher in caffeine than their dark roasted counterparts.
But this is true, and shows that the type of beans you choose will change the amount of caffeine you ingest.
The location where your coffee beans are grown can also impact the caffeine levels they contain. Those produced in higher temperatures tend to have a bitter taste and a considerably higher level of caffeine.
Lastly, coffee isn’t the only thing that contains caffeine. Even chocolate has that feature.
Therefore, if you are choosing mochas or adding in other elements that contain caffeine, you are further increasing the amount instead of reducing it.
Decaffeinated Coffee
This option may seem like a no-brainer to you. Of course, decaffeinated coffee would have the lowest amount of caffeine, right?
The word decaffeinated literally means “having the caffeine removed.”
However, not all caffeine is taken out when creating a decaffeinated blend. A cup of decaf coffee can have upwards of 2 mg of caffeine, making the drink 97% decaffeinated.
It’s important to note that the requirements for being declared decaf will vary by location. In Europe, coffee must be at the level of 99% decaffeinated to be labeled as such.
Compared to its standard coffee counterpart, which has about 95 mg of caffeine, 2 mg isn’t bad. However, it’s not entirely without the potent ingredient.
Instant Coffee
A common item that you will see on store shelves (like decaf) is instant coffee. The preparation for instant coffee is far different than that of ground coffee or beans, which has a big part to play in its low caffeine levels.
Depending on the amount of water used and the brand of instant coffee, you may have 40 to 100 mg of caffeine in a 6-ounce cup. This level doesn’t include any additives put in your drink.
Instant coffee comes in many brands and flavors – you can even purchase Starbucks blends in the instant version. Additionally, you can also purchase decaffeinated blends in instant coffee variations.
Laurina Beans
Laurina beans are a new addition to the coffee bean market. As a naturally low caffeinated bean, many are turning to this style when looking to decrease their caffeine consumption.
Per bean, laurina provides three milligrams of caffeine. This amount equates to .4% caffeine per 100 grams.
While some coffee drinkers applaud the taste of laurina beans and how closely it resembles fully caffeinated coffee, others liken it to tea. Regardless, the unique palette associated with laurina beans might be right up your alley.
Many large coffee companies are beginning to introduce laurina beans into their lineup. In fact, Starbucks has recently made efforts to create drinks with this specific coffee bean.
Aramosa Beans
If you like light and floral-flavored coffee beans and are also looking to reduce caffeine levels, trying out straight aramosa beans in your daily cup of coffee may work well for you.
It’s not as well-known in the coffee world but has earned praise from many who have tasted it.
Coming in at a much lower caffeine level than standard coffee beans at .7% caffeine per 100 grams, it’s a bit higher than laurina beans but still considered low caffeine.
Many individuals would consider switching to aramosa beans as a step-down while attempting to reduce their caffeine consumption.
Many coffee drinkers enjoy the aramosa bean blends because of their lightness. While it doesn’t resemble a dark roast quality, it has the caffeine output associated with that roasting style.
Racemosa Coffee
The likelihood of you finding a racemosa coffee blend on store shelves is minimal due to its incredibly rare status. The coffee bean is typically found in the wild within South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, and only for a brief period each year.
The racemosa bean is roughly ⅓ the size of a standard coffee bean and has a small caffeine level to accompany its size. In 100 grams of Racemosa, you are likely to have a .7% caffeine level.
Another unique attribute of racemosa is its taste. Instead of flowery or sweet, the bean gives off a smoky flavor. Tasting notes have also included that a faint taste of licorice is often noticed during consumption.
Yemen Mocha
A fun fact about mocha is that it was named after a port in Yemen, where the coffee beans that form the drink’s base were created. And that bean just so happens to be low in caffeine.
The average caffeine amount you will get from 100 grams of Yemen mocha beans is 1%. While this is higher than some other options, it’s still considerably lower than a standard cup of coffee with full-strength beans.
One thing you need to remember about this particular bean is that it’s most desirable for mochas. Typically these drinks contain high levels of chocolate, which also elevate caffeine levels.
Therefore, you may consume a lower caffeine bean, but the additives could put you back to a level you don’t want.
Ethiopian Harrar
Another coffee bean that isn’t regularly heard about or seen on store shelves is the Ethiopian Harrar. However, this particular bean is on the lower end when it comes to caffeine content, making it a solid choice for those who want to consume less.
Coming in just slightly higher than others on the list, the Ethiopian Harrar contains 1.13% caffeine per 100 grams. This level of caffeine is a good stepping stone for those attempting to wean off of high amounts of the energy-providing element.
One of the great things about this bean is that it has a fruity taste and is very aromatic. Some coffee drinks have even compared its texture to a dry wine.
Tanzanian Peaberry
While not entirely without caffeine, the exotic Tanzanian peaberry offers a minimal amount of the ingredient with an exquisite taste. Coming in at just 1.42% caffeine for every 100 grams of brewed coffee, it’s slightly better than the average amount of 1.5%.
One thing you need to be aware of when drinking Tanzanian peaberry is its strong aftertaste. Many may argue that all coffee is this way, but the acidity levels of Tanzanian peaberry make it even more prevalent.
Additionally, the cost of Tanzanian peaberry is significantly higher than other beans on the market. If you are interested in trying this variety out, be prepared for a higher price tag than you’re used to having.
Arabica Beans
You will see arabica listed on many ground coffees as one of their ingredients. However, it can often be mixed in a blend with various other beans.
At times, being part of a blend can be harmful to this particular bean. When combined with other varieties, it can raise the caffeine level considerably.
Arabica, on its own, is a low-caffeine coffee bean and can provide the crisp taste of coffee that you want without the highest level of caffeine.
While the exact milligrams of the energy-filled ingredient will vary depending on the preparation, the average is 1.9 mg of caffeine per bean.
Arabica beans are the foundation for many blends and have one of the best qualities and tastes in coffee. It’s closely related to the robusta bean, although with a much lower level of caffeine found in arabica.
If you want to slightly reduce your caffeine intake but want the same taste quality, a suggestion would be to switch to 100% arabica instead of a blend.
This change can give you lower levels of caffeine without sacrificing the beloved taste.
Espresso
When you look at the caffeine levels for espresso, it can be a bit deceiving. The biggest reason for this confusion is the serving size: just one ounce for an espresso shot.
Because of its minimal size, the caffeine level is low compared to other drinks. You will typically have around 30 to 50 mg of caffeine in each serving of espresso.
However, if you increase the number of espresso shots you consume to match the size of a standard coffee drink, your caffeine level will rise exponentially. Because of this, we have listed espresso towards the bottom as the amount of caffeine is low, but only when consumed as it should be.
Which Is Best?
When you are looking for a low-caffeine option for your morning beverage, there isn’t one product that is overwhelmingly the best option. The reason is that the choice is specific to you as an individual.
Finding the best option will boil down to taste preference, brewing capabilities, caffeine tolerance, and much more.
Trying different types of drinks through various brewing mediums can help you to decide which is the best fit for you.
Conclusion
Most of the human population turns to coffee to get themselves up and going in the mornings, and as a pick-up during the day.
But not everyone responds well to high levels of caffeine, which are prevalent in many of the coffee bean choices today.
For those looking for coffee with low caffeine, there are many options available. Many of them aren’t even known to the majority of coffee connoisseurs.
Whether you’re searching for a decaffeinated version, or just looking to go down a notch in caffeine content, there are several options to choose from in our comprehensive list above.
Other articles you may also like