The Short Answer: The best organic decaf coffee is made using the Mountain Water Process (sometimes called Swiss Water Process). Unlike chemical methods that use solvents like methylene chloride or ethyl acetate to strip caffeine, water process methods rely on pure water, temperature, and time to remove caffeine while preserving the bean's natural flavor oils. This results in a cleaner, richer cup that maintains its organic certification.
Why does decaf get a bad rap?
Decaf gets a bad rap because most people have only had a chemical-processed decaf. This involves soaking beans in chemical solvents to dissolve the caffeine. The chemical process leaves the coffee flavorless, thin and with a chemical taste.
What makes Larry’s Decafs different?
At Larry’s, we believe if you are drinking decaf, you are the truest coffee lover, you are here for the flavor not the buzz. That means the flavor needs to hit all the notes! We are sourcing high quality, organic, fair trade beans that have been mountain water processed and roasting them with care. Decaf should be treated no differently than any of our other regular roasts.
What is the difference between Chemical and Water Process decaf?
The main difference lies in what actually touches your beans: harsh solvents versus pure water.
-
Chemical Process (Direct/Indirect): The green coffee beans are steamed and then rinsed with chemical solvents—usually Methylene Chloride (a paint stripper component) or Ethyl Acetate. These chemicals bond with caffeine molecules and are then washed away.
-
Mountain Water Process: This method uses clear, pure water from the Pico de Orizaba mountain in Mexico. The beans are immersed in water to extract the caffeine. The water is then passed through a charcoal filter that catches the large caffeine molecules but lets the smaller flavor oils pass through.
Is chemical process decaf safe to drink?
While the FDA has determined that chemical process decaf is safe for consumption (assuming residue levels stay below 10 parts per million), many coffee lovers prefer to avoid industrial solvents entirely.
At Larry's, we stick to 100% Organic and Fair Trade standards. To us, it makes zero sense to pay farmers fair wages to grow beautiful, pesticide-free coffee, only to bathe those beans in chemicals later. It defeats the purpose of "Organic." By using the Mountain Water Process, we ensure the chain of custody remains clean from the soil in the mountains to the cup in your kitchen.
Which one of Larry’s Coffees is decaf?
In addition to often being over roasted and chemically processed you are typically only going to find one bag of decaf in other roasters’ line ups. Not at Larry's! We offer a spectrum of decaf roast options for you to enjoy!
-
Light Roast - “Magic City Decaf” - Mellow & balanced. Notes of pear, brown sugar & malt.
-
Medium - “Decaf Twilight” - Brilliant & Full bodied. Notes of raisin, plum, malt
-
Dark - “Sammy Decaf Jr.” - Super Smooth. Notes of dark chocolate, walnut & maple.
-
Dark- “Decaf Espresso Blend” - Dark & Rich. Notes of Buttery chocolate, molasses & malt.
Honorable Mention for our Half-Caf Blend. I do not want her to get lost as she falls between the regular and decaf categories. This scaled back blend is perfect for someone dabbling in cutting back on caffeine.
-
Light Roast- “Half Calf Blend” -Notes of caramel, apricot & cocoa.
People Also Ask (FAQ)
- Does Mountain Water Process decaf have caffeine? The mountain water processing (like all other processing) removes 99.9% of caffeine from the coffee beans. Leaving a negligible amount of caffeine in the coffee. The process is incredibly efficient at removing the stimulant while leaving the flavor.
- Is Swiss Water Process the same as Mountain Water Process? They are very similar. Both use water and carbon filters rather than chemicals. "Swiss Water" is a trademarked process based in Canada, while "Mountain Water" is a specific process based in Mexico using glacial water. Larry's uses these methods because they align with our organic values.
- Is water processed decaf better for your stomach? Generally, yes. Because it lacks residual chemical solvents and retains more natural oils, many coffee drinkers find water-process decaf to be gentler on the stomach than chemically processed alternatives.
- How do I know if my coffee is water processed? Check the bag. If it just says "Decaf," it is likely chemically processed. If it says "Mountain Water Process," "Swiss Water," or carries a Certified Organic seal (like Larry's), it is almost certainly made without solvent chemicals.