K-cups have grown in popularity for providing buyers ease and convenience of use. If you are looking to cut back on your coffeine consumption, probably for health reasons, you will be pleased to know that you can get the perfect cup of coffee without any caffeine whatsoever, yet with the same coffee flavor and aroma.
While researching the top decaf blend products we considered the flavor, including ordinary and more unique ones, such as blends with hazelnut hints. Next, we looked at the decaf methods and their pros and cons. We also factored in the pack size as well as the price to recommend the decaf K-cups that will meet various coffee demands while providing great value for money. Read our comprehensive guide for more information on your favorite blends.
More features: kosher, recyclable, Rainforest Alliance Certified
Caribou Coffee Caribou Blend Decaf has a full bodied flavor with a little bite to it. This is as a result of blending coffee beans that have fruit tones with ones that are spicy to create a syrupy flavor with a savory chocolate finish. A pack consists of 96 pods that are compatible with Keurig K-cup pod single-serve coffee machines. The medium roast coffee is chemical-free and certified by Orthodox Union Kosher as well as Rainforest Alliance Certified.
This blend is great for people who like a bold yet smooth flavor with no bitterness. The syrupy taste also allows people who want little to no sugar to sweeten it with coffee creamer instead.
More features: central and south America blend, kosher
This dark roast decaf coffee blend with pleasant spiciness is made from 100% Arabica coffee that is deep-roasted by hand to generate dark roast that works with all Keurig capsule models. Peet’s Coffee Decaf House Blend is available in a pack with 6 boxes of 10 K-cup pods that add up to 60 K-cups.
It is a great choice for espresso lovers who would like to limit their caffeine intake but still enjoy drinking dark roast blends with rich flavor. We would also recommend this kosher certified Central and South American blend to users who prefer a stronger flavor of decaf coffee without a bitter taste.
More features: kosher, no artificial sweeteners
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Hazelnut is a light roast decaffeinated coffee with the sweet and buttery flavor of warm, roasted hazelnuts. It is certified Orthodox Union Kosher. The pods come in a pack of 72, and they are compatible with all Keurig K-cup coffee machines. Reviewers note that it is much cheaper to buy this coffee blend online from Amazon.
Some women prefer decaffeinated coffee during pregnancy, and there are many users who take these hazelnut decaf coffee k cups as their drink of choice. These single-serve K-Cup pods are also ideal for people who like light roast coffee with no artificial sweeteners.
More features: 100% Colombian Arabica
Folgers Colombian Coffee comes in a pack of 6 boxes, with each containing 12 K-cup pods to make a total of 72 pods. You can also purchase it in a large size consisting of a pack of 4 boxes of 12 count that add up to 84 pods. Folgers decaf k cups are made from 100% Colombian Arabica. They work with all Keurig brewers, and you can recycle them in some communities. The coffee beans are double-dried for a deeper and balanced taste.
As a medium roast blend with rich flavor, this is the best blend that accommodates a lot of coffee drinkers that like single-serve K-cup pods that you can conveniently brew in minutes.
More features: 100% arabica, recyclable
If you are looking for decaf coffee k cups that you can recycle, we recommend McCafe Premium Roast Decaf. It is a medium roast blend with a rich flavor from 100% Arabica beans. The K cup pods are roasted in a temperature-controlled environment to extract maximum flavor. They are certified Orthodox Union Kosher, and compatible with all Keurig K-cup coffee makers. A single pack consists of 84 K cup coffee pods.
For those with health issues such as acid reflux, this coffee blend would make a suitable choice because you can enjoy a rich flavor that is not weakened or too robust for your stomach.
More features: recyclable
Dunkin’ Decaf Medium Roast Coffee is a medium roast blend with nut and chocolate flavor, and is available in a pack of 4 boxes containing a total of 88 recyclable K cup pods. It is made from 100% Premium Arabica coffee beans which are then decaffeinated using the ethyl acetate process. These decaf K cups are made by Dunkin which opened its first shop in 1950. The company also offers other brewing options such as classic flavors, whole bean and ground coffee.
This is another great choice for those with a sensitive stomach; these are low acid decaf coffee k cups that will be gentle on your stomach and pockets.
More features: 100% arabica, Latin American beans
You can buy Starbucks Decaf K-Cup Coffee Pods that are made from medium roasted 100% Arabica coffee beans with cocoa and nut flavors and toffee notes. The pods are compatible with Keurig Single Cup Brewing System. They are available in a package of 6 boxes of 10 K cup pods that total to 60 pods.
These Starbucks decaf K cups are ideal for most coffee lovers, and they can take it black or add milk, syrup or cream. It is particularly popular among buyers who love black coffee because this blend has a bold flavor that is smoothly rounded, so it won’t have the heavy toast edges common with dark roast blends.
More features: 100% arabica, slow roasted, high acidity, compatible with Keurig 1.0/ 2.0
These Gevalia decaf K cups are light roasted from 100% Arabica coffee beans sourced worldwide. They are compatible with all Keurig 1.0 and 2.0 coffee makers. The slow roasted Gevalia Signature Blend has high acidity which some users find too bitter for their palate. Interestingly, plenty of users define it as smooth with a mild flavor. The coffee has the original flavor and comes in a pack of a total of 84 pods. The Company which manufactures this blend has its origins in Sweden where it has been in existence for at least 150 years.
They are a good bargain for coffee lovers who like a mild and smooth flavor.
Looking at the products we reviewed during our research, it seems that decaffeinated coffee offers unlimited options to brew your coffee the way you like it without the negative effects of caffeine. There are decaf green tea K-cups, flavored French vanilla decaf K-cups, the smooth Starbucks pike place decaf k cups with subtle cocoa and nut flavor, and many more. Let’s now discuss how to choose the best decaf K cups and how to use them.
Decaf coffee pods are made by removing caffeine from coffee beans while still preserving other compounds that are responsible for the flavor and aroma. Read on for further details of the main decaf methods employed by manufacturers.
Make sure there is sufficient water in the reservoir, and then put your K-Cup such as Folgers in the chamber of your Keurig coffee maker. Close the lid and position your cup on the drink plate. After that, choose your cup size and then press the brew button.
Below are the qualities to look for before buying the best decaf K cups.
Gevalia Signature Blend and Green Mountain breakfast blend decaf k cups are light roast decaf coffee k cups with a mild natural flavor. Medium roast typically has a bold and smooth flavor whereas dark roast will have a deep and rich flavor. This is because the roasting process plays a key role in coffee color and flavor. If you have a sensitive stomach, a light roast would be ideal for you because, unlike medium or dark roast, there is less risk of a bitter taste from overburning the coffee. There’s also the so-called French roast, which enriches coffee with intense flavor, without extra bitterness though. This type is not that common among decaf pods: San Francisco Bay Decaf French Roast Pods are probably among those few decent options you may come across in stores.
You are spoiled for choice when it comes to all the flavors that are available. There are sweet decaf pumpkin spice k cups with hints of caramel, Dunkin’ Decaf Medium Roast Coffee with chocolate and nutty flavor, and donut house decaf k cups which have a bold taste and a pleasant aroma. There are also unique flavors for special occasions such as Double Donut Medium Roast Decaf Coffee Pods for Halloween.
Since different brands package their K-cups in different sizes, consider your coffee needs so you can select the quantity that will serve you best. Ideally, you should buy a large pack that you can use for an extended period before needing replacement. We have included products with large sizes in our review. Other great options for high coffee demand are Dunkin Donuts decaf k cups and Maxwell House decaf k cups with a pack containing total coffee pods of 88 pods and 84 respectively.
We would recommend buying a smaller size if you are buying decaf K cups and you are unfamiliar with their flavor.
The following are the main methods used to decaffeinate coffee beans.
Swiss water method
During this process, beans are soaked in hot water and then added to a blend that detaches the caffeine. The next step involves keeping other nutrients while removing caffeine from the caffeine-rich water by using an activated carbon filter. It is an eco-friendly way of decaffeinating but there is a risk of removing other nutrients alongside the caffeine.
Using CO2
This method of using carbon dioxide is suitable for large-scale decaffeination because you can reuse the activated carbon filters for other batches. However, it requires modern machines that are costly.
Solvent technique
This is the method used for Folgers decaf k cups which uses ethyl acetate to absorb the caffeine and extract it after drawing it to the surface by steaming the beans. Some manufacturers use methylene chloride solvent instead to extract the caffeine while preserving the compounds for flavor.
The above decaffeinating methods are approved by FDA. Stay away from coffee which uses chemicals or preservatives to extract caffeine in an artificial process.
If you look at reviews, majority of users agree that Amazon decaf K-cups usually cost less than local store prices. You can choose the size that matches your budget, and some brands allow you to subscribe so you don’t run out of your favorite decaf cappuccino or espresso k cups.
Almost all the products we have featured are Keurig decaf K-cups that are compatible with almost all 1.0 and 2.0 coffee makers. This is important because some brands only work with proprietary brewers.
Our top pick comes with 96 K-cups in a single pack. Caribou Coffee Caribou Blend Decaf combines has a full-bodied flavor with spicy and fruit tones and no aftertaste. The syrupy taste eliminates the need for sugar, and the K-cups are certified Orthodox Union Kosher as well as Rainforest Alliance Certified. Peet’s Coffee Decaf House Blend is a favorite pick for espresso drinkers and coffee fans who like the deep and rich flavor of dark roast decaf K-cups with a mild nutty flavor that tastes great whether it is iced or hot. Our third pick for the best decaf K cups is Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Hazelnut. A pack has 72 pods of decaf coffee with a sweet flavor of hazelnuts. As a light roast, it would also be great for evenings.