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Does Decaf Coffee Actually Have Caffeine in It?

A cup of coffee sits on a saucer surrounded by coffee beans.
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Whether you’re trying to cut back on your caffeine intake or you just want a warm drink in the morning, many people turn to decaf coffee. But you might have heard a little rumor that decaf coffee actually does have caffeine in it. Is that true?

It might surprise you to learn that yes, decaf coffee actually does have caffeine. But don’t put down your cup just yet.

Decaf coffee only has about 2 mg of caffeine per cup. Regular coffee has a whopping 95 mg per cup. The coffee beans begin green and unroasted and are warmed and soaked in liquid so that the caffeine can be removed. There are actually several different ways that can happen.

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You can still go through the same brewing process with decaf.

Roasters can use just a water soak, a mixture of water and some sort of solvent applied to the beans, or using water and carbon dioxide. When done, the beans are washed, steamed, and roasted. Regardless of the process used, decaffeination removes 97% of caffeine.

If you’re trying to cut back on your coffee intake, despite its small amounts of caffeine, decaf is still a good option if you miss that morning cup. Just keep in mind that other beverages like tea and soda also have caffeine so monitor your beverages well.

Shea Simmons Shea Simmons
Shea Simmons is the Assignments Editor at LifeSavvy. Previously, she worked as a freelance writer with a focus on beauty and lifestyle content. Her work has appeared in Bustle, Allure, and Hello Giggles. Read Full Bio »
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