Highlights

What is Half Caf Coffee?

Maybe caffeinated coffee gives you reflux or you don't like the acidity, or you simply get a little jittery from all that buzz.

But then, decaf coffee doesn't give you quite that energy boost regular coffee does.

Enter half caff coffee: fill a cup (or your coffee maker) halfway with regular coffee and top it off with decaf coffee. The result is what coffee aficionados call "half-caff coffee" because it generally contains about half the caffeine of regular coffee!

Simple.

A great coffee roaster will always have a house blend or decaf they can offer you to blow your mind. However, you can make a coffee with the perfect caffeine levels yourself, too.

Choose a regular roast and a decaf roast that you love: ideally, these will be the same blend/roast to preserve flavor. Grind both the regular and decaf beans to the same coarseness, then brew them like any normal cup, creating a smooth and rich beverage that has half the caffeine but preserves those flavors you enjoy so much.

The allure of half-caff coffee is that for many people it strikes a balance between flavor and caffeine intake. The idea is that the final product gets you the same richness but with a gentler caffeine kick.

Enjoy Great Coffee—With Just the Right Amount of Caffeine

Whether you're looking to cut back on caffeine, enjoy an afternoon cup, or simply find a smoother balance, half-caf and decaf coffee let you enjoy the coffee experience without giving up great flavor.

At Philly Fair Trade Roasters, our Organic, Fairtrade Half-Caf Mexican Blend and Swiss Water Process Decaf Coffees are roasted fresh in small batches for a rich, satisfying cup—morning, afternoon, or evening.

👉 Shop Half-Caf & Decaf Coffee

What is Decaf Coffee?

To understand what half-calf coffee is, we should first talk a little but about decaffeinated coffee beans.

In short, decaf coffees are made from regular coffee beans that undergo a refinement process that removes almost all their caffeine content while preserving their flavor.

According to the National Coffee Association, decaffeination generally removes over 97% of the caffeine present in beans. This means that while it might sound like it, decaf coffee is not caffeine-free. In comparison, half-caff coffee still contains about 50% of the usual amount of caffeine.

Our preferred decaffeination process involves soaking green coffee beans in water for long periods. This is the basis of the Swiss Water Process, which most manufacturers today use to create decaffeinated coffee without chemical solvents. Stripped to its core, it involves blanching green coffee beans in hot water for a while and then filtering the water with charcoal. The result is decaffeinated beans that have less caffeine and can then undergo the desired roasting process.

How Much Caffeine in Half Caf Coffee?

According to the FDA, a regular ~8oz cup of caffeinated coffee usually has around 100mg of caffeine. By contrast, black tea has about half that.

By extension, half caf coffee will have caffeine content of around 50mg.

The FDA also recommends no more caffeine daily than 300-400mg daily.

Some Pros and Cons of Decaffeinated Coffee

The main advantage of decaf coffee is obviously its lower caffeine content. If you're looking to moderate your caffeine intake but don't want to give up on your favorite cup of joe, it's pretty much the only way to go.

Many people take advantage of this and drink it even into the evening, reducing the risk of getting caffeine jitters or disrupting their sleep. However, many people argue that decaf coffee may lack the flavorful depth of regular coffee. While the decaffeination process preserves most of the flavor, subtle nuances can be lost, resulting in an unfamiliar flavor profile.

The use of chemical solvents in some decaffeination methods can also sound alarm to some coffee drinkers. While regulatory measures are in place to ensure there are as few toxins in coffee as possible, we stick with organic, solvent-free approaches to decaffeinating coffee at Philly Fair Trade.

Still, both regular coffee and decaf coffee have been shown to support our health in a variety of ways. It's not a stretch to say that half caf coffee has those same health benefits that we've written about in previous articles.

Find Your Perfect Cup—No Matter How Much Caffeine You Want

Coffee should fit your lifestyle—not the other way around.

Whether you're easing into the morning, looking for an afternoon pick-me-up, or winding down after dinner, there's a coffee that's right for you.

At Philly Fair Trade Roasters, we're proud to offer:

• ☕ Organic & Fairtrade Half-Caf Mexican Blend
• 🌱 Swiss Water Process Decaf Peru
• 🌎 Swiss Water Process Decaf Mexico
• 🔥 Fresh-roasted in small batches
• 📦 Whole bean or custom ground at no extra charge

Because great coffee isn't measured by caffeine—it's measured by the smile on your face after the first sip.

👉 Shop Half-Caf & Decaf Coffee

Coffee

📚 Recommended Reading

Continue learning about caffeine, brewing, and choosing the right coffee for your lifestyle.

• Coffee-to-Water Ratio Guide
• How to Store Coffee Beans
• Does Coffee Expire?
• Should You Freeze Coffee Beans?

 Philly Fairtrade roasters is a USDA certified Organic facility via PCO as well as Fairtrade USA compliant.  Philly Fairtrade specializes in small batch roasted coffee, ethically sourced and expertly roasted.  Learn more about Philly Fairtrade Roasters.