Top 3 Decaf Coffees of 2024 + The Story Behind Decaf Before Death

As we are getting ready to ship the first subscription boxes since launcing, I want to share the incredible decaf coffees that inspired Decaf Before Death and shaped our mission to celebrate what decaf coffee can be.

A Personal Journey to Decaf

Seven years ago, I couldn't imagine starting my day without caffeine. Specialty coffee was my ritual—a hunt for the most exceptional cup, always chasing fruity, floral, and complex flavours. When I suddenly developed caffeine sensitivity, my coffee world was turned upside down.

The options for decaf? Bleak. Specialty coffee shops often didn't offer it, and when they did, it felt like an afterthought: blends with vague origins and one-dimensional notes ("dark chocolate, nutty notes"). My cravings for vibrant filter coffee were met with disappointment. I resigned myself to occasional flat whites while watching friends explore exciting new roasts and origins.

Then came the turning point. During the pandemic lockdowns, my partner inspired me to give decaf another chance and I began exploring every decaf subscription and service I could find. Most were underwhelming; simple chocolate or nutty profiles but lacking the complexity I craved. I had accepted that decaf was inherently limited.

Until it wasn't.

Three years ago, I discovered a natural-processed decaf by Jairo Arcila. One cup changed everything I thought I knew about decaf. It was vibrant, fruity, and layered with complexity. That coffee made me dust off my old V60 and made me realise exceptional decaf wasn't just possible, it was already happening. I just had to look hard to find it.

Why Decaf Before Death?

That revelation led to Decaf Before Death. The name itself challenges the tired old "Death Before Decaf" motto, which I saw as emblematic of the way decaf drinkers were often dismissed. We're not about settling—we're about showcasing the most exciting decafs being produced today and proving that decaf can be just as vibrant, complex, and rewarding as caffeinated coffee.

The mission is simple:

• Challenge perceptions: Decaf is often dismissed as "less than." We're here to prove it's anything but.
• Support producers: Great decaf starts at the farm. We showcase producers like Los Nogales, Sebastián Ramírez, and Wilton Benitez, whose innovative processing methods push boundaries.
• Build a community: Exceptional decaf is expensive, and it's not something we can do alone. As more people discover these coffees, we hope to grow a community that values quality and makes decaf more accessible over time.

Top Decaf Coffees of 2024

I had over 150 decaf coffees last year and even though many were mediocre or even bad, I was fortunate to taste some of the best decafs the world has to offer. Here are three that stood out as game-changers—coffees that prove decaf can be just as exceptional as regular coffee:

1. Los Nogales Typica (Early 2024 Crop): This Typica decaf was a revelation, even winning the 2024 US Brewers Cup, a historic first for a decaf coffee.

• Innovation: The Mucilage EA Decaf process, developed at Finca Los Nogales, combines the coffee's own mucilage with ethyl acetate to preserve its vibrant flavours. This innovative approach avoids off-flavours and enhances the coffee's complexity.
• Flavour Profile: Notes of eucalyptus, strawberry, and raspberry with a floral finish.
• Why It Matters: This coffee challenges the notion that decaf is an afterthought. It's proof that decaf can shine on the world stage and it's unique. Stunning as filter or as espresso.

2. El Placer Red Fruit Co-Ferment by Sebastián Ramírez: This experimental coffee highlighted the future of decaf through bold, innovative processing. I think this is the first co-ferment decaf (yes, there are more available now!). This will be part of our first Decaf Discovery Box, roasted by Onyx!

• Processing Method: Co-fermentation with red fruits adds depth and compensates for compounds lost during decaffeination. Could this be the future of decaf?
• Flavour Profile: A vibrant fruit bomb with juicy red berry notes and tropical sweetness and good body.
• Significance: Coffees like this redefine what decaf can achieve and showcase the potential of experimental processes.

3. Wilton Benitez Red Bourbon Decaf: Wilton Benitez has been pushing boundaries with decaf for a while now, and this Red Bourbon is no exception. Some of you had the chance to try this coffee by September when we first launched!

• Processing Method: Anaerobic fermentation, thermal shock, and sugarcane EA decaffeination preserve delicate floral and fruity notes.
• Flavour Profile: Tropical fruit, honey, and floral notes with a bright acidity. Stunning, really. Depending on the roasting profile you get passion fruit, strawberry, or rose notes. Definitely worth trying this one from a few different roasters!
• Why It's Special: This coffee epitomises the care and innovation required to produce exceptional decaf, making every sip an experience. In all honesty, it's as good as some of the regular coffees by Benitez. 

Looking Ahead

Launching Decaf Before Death has been incredible, and the response from the specialty coffee community has been overwhelming. While we're starting in the UK and select EU countries with our subscription boxes and special drops, we're already exploring ways to make these exceptional coffees more accessible to coffee lovers everywhere.

Good decaf is expensive, but as our community grows, we hope to make these coffees more accessible while continuing to support the producers and roasters who make them possible. This isn't just about coffee—it's about building a movement that values quality, inclusivity, and innovation.

If you're passionate about great coffee, whether caffeinated or not, we invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we can change perceptions, celebrate craftsmanship, and show the world just how exciting decaf can be.