Hi so been told that I need to give up the normal beans and go decaf, so as a start I see rave has two different types any recommendations for milk based or what’s the difference between the he two if you have tried them?

Usually ‘milk based’ suggests a darker roast with more traditional notes that can cut through milk to create a nice balanced flavour. I’d recommend looking for ‘Swiss Water’ decaf. It’s a process to remove caffeine from beans. It uses water rather than chemicals. I personally can’t stand the taste of decaf not using the Swiss Water method as the flavour of chemicals is often perceptible and unpleasant.

I’m not a big decaf drinker but buy a bag and always have some in the freezer. Most recent one is from pact and it’s the best one I had hands down! Highly recommend it https://www.pactcoffee.com/coffees/decaf-muungano?variant=BA00000734-G250&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADO8FUF6K209bjOqED0wwpWwZrWNG&gclid=CjwKCAiAxea5BhBeEiwAh4t5Kwzce8HUotzdN71iVDG1lOLdg_3Txo1M4DEdoHpx-UdWs35N2B16khoCi38QAvD_BwE

About the time that my wife gave up caffiene she had a decaf in a slightly upmarket restaurant. She liked it so much that she asked them what it was. It was Lavazza Dek decaf whole beans. Not easy to find in the shops so we get ours from amazon or ebay. Worth a try.

@"dang2484"#p73071 I second about Rave. I'll try limini next also.

Decaf beans

dfk41

I often drink decaf. Recently, I have been buying this from Limini

https://www.liminicoffee.co.uk/shop/decaf-coffee

they do 2 but I prefer the first one which is darker

Elcarajillo

I have a bag of the Brazilian D/C to start tomorrow , I looked at the Mexican D/C but it is a lighter roast.
Will report tomorrow. (from Limini)

dang2484

Robti I’ve tried both the Rave decafs, and they’re quite got. The Swiss water is quite malty and the Sugercane is a little acidic for me. Both get lost in milk, but the Swiss water is better.

If you like milk based drinks then this one from limini would really well and hard to tell its a decaf - https://www.liminicoffee.co.uk/shop/decaf-coffee

Inspector

dang2484 I second about Rave.

I’ll try limini next also.

Robti

Thanks have a kg of normal beans to use but will try the limini decaf next as it seems the most recommended

Elcarajillo

I opened the Limini D/C Brasilian, was quite surprised by the oil sheen and how dark the roast.
Drinking these as flat white, quite powerful easily cuts through the milk, rich and syrupy (think M/S Malabar).
You would not know they are de-caff.
Depending on how you drink this I think it may be a little too ’strong, for some.
We enjoyed it

Robti

Just to update i had an email today from rave with a discount so ordered a bag of their decaf to start out then i will order from limini and it should give me a comparison.

LMSC

This may interest you!

https://www.worldslargestcoffeetasting.com

dfk41

LMSC Thanks for that. It is very interesting. I bought 3 lots:

Luckie Beans £24.50

Coffee Apothocary £17.50

Craft Coffee £26.50 (including a cupping spoon)

Think it is an excellent project

Platypus

LMSC

Thanks for this. I had the Square Mile kit in my basket but it had sold out before I could check out. I went with Craft decaf roasters in the end as thought they should know a thing or two about roasting decaf well. They also offered 25% off any other coffee so I ordered what looks like a nice juicy Las Palmas, Colombia (Decaf) .

LMSC

dfk41 Awesome.

It is indeed an excellent initiative.

I am going to grab just one lot from Square Miles as I think they are the only one who roast the decaf on the lighter side for filter. Besides, we don’t drink decaf every day. We drink tea most of the late afternoons and evenings. Let’s know how you got on mate. 😊

Doram

Platypus I went with Craft decaf roasters in the end as thought they should know a thing or two about roasting decaf well.

I also bought a kit from them + a taster pack with three other decaf they offer.

I never knowingly had decaf and thought this would be an opportunity to try, as I enjoyed the previous tasting event. What I have read about decaf has always put me off so my hopes are not too high, but I guess there is only one way to really find out.

@LMSC Thanks for the heads up!

dfk41

Decaf is the most underrated, misconceived thing in coffee. Over the years, it has been conceived as the Devils Spawn, the poor relation yet this is such nonsense! Yes, I accept that many roasters have not taken it seriously and churn out pure shite, but nowadays some are catching on. The removal of caffeine from the process ought not to affect the taste

Doram

dfk41 Decaf is the most underrated, misconceived thing in coffee. Over the years, it has been conceived as the Devils Spawn, the poor relation yet this is such nonsense!

I have not yet tried, so this discussion is premature for me, but I will still risk it and say this might be a subjective thing?

I know for some meat/milk/cheese alternatives (or low fat, or sweeteners, or non-alcoholic) taste like (or close enough) to the real thing, and for others it doesn’t. As I am usually in the second camp, I fear it will be the same for me with decaf. To find out - I need to try, and this is what I plan to do!

Inspector

Price difference between roasters were huge TBF, I might order from Wogan as they were the cheapest by far.

dfk41

Doram I often have guests who like a cappuccino of around 5 to 6 ounces. I am using a drk but perfectly roasted decaf bean from Limini. I always smile when they say how nice it is without me telling them.

Doram

dfk41 I always smile when they say how nice it is without me telling them.

Fingers crossed, that will be my experience as well!

We have to acknowledge that psychology plays an important part of our perception. What we know (or don’t know) can effect how we perceive taste. Unfortunately I won’t be able to un-know that the coffee I get from Craft-Decaf is decaffeinated. 🙂

Platypus

I’ve always had a bit of negative relationship with “decaf” but am now a real advocate of freezing asap. No scientific studies or data to back this up but not leaving it idle in a tin , not even resting it but freezing it in 18g single bags ( my impulse sealer is my best friend for this) as soon as it arrives and using from the freezer as and when, I find I am enjoying decaf much more.

For me decaf ages prematurely becoming thin, soleless and the decaf taste more obvious. Yes I can still tell it’s decaf but with using fresh from the freezer I find the flavours sparkle and the body is thick and silky compared to before. I’ve experienced some fantastic decafs this way.