In Search of a GOOD Decaf. Coffee

Hi Tiffani,
I am also an avid coffee drinker. Since me pregnancy I have been drinking a cup a day for that morning routine fix of Bean Trees Organic Water filtered decaf. It is available at Raleys.
A.

Hi, T.,
I like Peets decaf, any flavor. It is really good. I also like Jeremiah's Pick. The first one is at Safeway and Peets and Jeremiah's Pick is at Pacific Market.Congratulations.
M.

I buy all my decaf coffee from Bocajava.com. I love the flavored decafs and they also have reg. decaf that is great as well. I don't buy from any other place as the store bought stuff tastes really old and is over-caffeinated for it being decaf.

Try them out: Bocajava.com

giving up caffeine is hard. I have become caffeine sensitive over the years. I like Peet's Major Dickanson's (or something like that). Good luck

S.

BE CAREFUL!!
Most decaf coffees are made decaf through a chemical process. starbucks and petes both ony make one decaf coffe that is water processed, so make sure you ask.
i come from a long line of coffee drinkers, and i just couldn't give it up. so i just minimized my coffee drinking to under 300 mgs a day. but while i was in my 9th month a study came out that said you need to keep it under 200.
my advise, minimize caffine intake, and enjoy every sip.

Hi T.,

I drink Don Francisco's Decaf blend and it can be found at Raley's/Bel Aire. (Their caffenated Cinnamon Hazlenut was how I found this delicious brand.)When I got pregnant (and am now nursing) this is what I drink.

I am not sure about the decaf process on it, but my girls are fine and I drink 1-2 cups a day.

Also, you can drink 1 caffenated drink a day, so just choose wisely!

Congrats and Good luck!
H.

hi T.! peet's decaf's are real good, but the best one i've found (as a decaf drinker who used to adore regular coffee but switched to decaf so i'd quit clenching my jaws!) is an organic coffee you will find in health stores called Gorilla Decaf - better then peets, even! DELICIOUS! the brand isn't gorilla, it's some kind of fair trade organic earthy brand - the best, hands down.

Have you tried Peet's decaf. It has a very strong flavor to me.

Cole coffee in Oakland on College Ave

Flying Goat Coffee, located in Healdsburg. Google "Flying Goat Coffee", I believe they can send if you cannot drive to pick up...

Illy coffee is really good. Whole Foods and Cost Plus are places that carry it. You get it in metal containers beans or grouds..

I don't drink any caffeine and fully understand your difficulty finding a decaffeinated coffee that tastes as good as the real stuff. If you like a colombian bean try the decaffeinated Colombia Supremo at Trader Joe's (the one with the toucan on the container). It's not overly acidic and has a rich, full flavor. I drink mine with lots of milk which will certainly mellow the flavor but I've gotten quite a few positive remarks from people I've served to to as well. Never knew I had so much to say about coffee. Good luck :)

Dear T.,
I am not an avid coffee drinker.
In fact, I only ever have one cup a day, of instant coffee.
It used to drive a guy in my office crazy. He was an admitted "coffee snob" and could not see how I could stand to drink instant. And decaf at that. Anyway, one day he was giving me a bad time about it, again, and finally asked me what brand I drank. So I told him it was just Folger's. He said, "Oh, well, that's different. Folger's is the only instant decaf I ever tried and actually liked."
He never bugged me about it again. (Like it was any of his business).

I don't know what type of fancy blends or whatever you may be used to, I'm only used to Folger's. At least one coffee snob I know said it's pretty good. You can give it a try. You may never find something that tastes exactly as good as your usual favorite, but you can get used to it.

Best of wishes with the baby.

I completely know what you are talking about. Starbucks decaf tastes like coffee-flavored water. I found Peet's Coffee to have the best tasting decaf that tasted the most like the fully-leaded stuff. I'm not sure which blend they use at their locations, but I'm sure you could call and find out. www.peets.com

I am currently nursing my second child and soooooo miss a good cup of joe. I share your "pain". ;)

Good luck with your pregnancy!

I was lucky enough to be working in the Peet's Coffee corporate office when I was pregnant with my youngest. I drank all the different decafs they make and I thought Major Dickason's blend was the best one. Good luck with your pregnancy!

Have you tried the Dunkin Donuts brand? I've seen it at Target in El Dorado Hills or you can order it online thur the website of Dunkin Donuts.

Hi T.,
When I was pregnant my doctor told me I could have 1 cup of coffee a day. That is if your not drinking soda too. I wasn't a soda drinker, so my 1 cup of morning coffee was ok. What I did was order a "half"caf" from starbucks or Peets. Half decaf and half regular. You might want to try that. Congrats on your pregnancy!!

Wise decision; some babies may not be as sensitive to caffeine, but why risk it? Whatever you get, make sure it's been water-processed, because otherwise the caffeine has been removed by adding chemicals (someone told it's a kind of bleach) that you don't want to be passing to your baby. I love Peets, but the only decaf they sell that's water-processed is the Mocha Java Decaf, so that's what I get (still drink only decaf b/c my son is breastfeeding---O how I miss caffeine!). Generally the stronger, darker roasted coffee beans will hold their flavor better through the decaffeinating process, so go for darker roasts (French, espresso roast, etc).

I don't know where you live. But I think one of the best tasting decaf coffees is Great Bear Coffee (downtown Los Gatos) Decaf Mocha Java. Everyone has different tastes in coffee. Me and my husband tend to like the stronger flavor coffees and if we get a coffee out we enjoy going to Pete's or Great Bear. The Mocha Java from Great Bear has a nice rich flavor rather than tasting watery and weak. Whenever we have company over we always get the Mocha Java and everyone loves it and most can't believe it's Decaf! HOpe this helps. K.

When you want to stay in the car (let baby sleep) I recommend Burger Kin Decaf. The taste is good and little on the sweet side. Congrats on your new baby :)

i do not think you are going to have any luck with decaf but i know that with my first i cut it out all together and that was one of many problems i had i am now 33 weeks with my 2nd and have just lightend up on it so days i have non some i have a cup of coffee and soda but as long as you are cutting back you should be fine to have a cup of coffee in the morning from what i reed as lon as its not 6 cups a day every day you should be fine good luck and congrats

Decaf coffee still has quite a bit of caffeine. You would still have to limit yourself to 2 cups per day. Ask your doctor if it is okay to just drink one cup of regular coffee per day. I think they use strange chemicals to process decaf.
S.

Hi T.,
Try Peet's coffee. When I was pregnant and before all the morning sickness started, this is what I drank. Did the trick.
H.

I used to work at an espresso shop that served Thanksgiving Coffee. I drank it when I was pregnant, but mostly would make half decaf coffees, and I couldn't tell the difference. People used to come to our coffee shop just because we had the best decaf.

http://store.thanksgivingcoffee.com/coffee?browse=decaf

It is also fair trade and organic and they use a non-chemical process for decaffeinating their coffee called "mountain water-processed." They have like 10 flavors of decaf. They roast in Fort Bragg California and are true coffee connoisseurs

They sell it in stores and coffee shops all over the bay area, but i don't know where you live so I can't recommend a place to get it.

Trader Joe's has good decaf coffee beans. Also, when ordering coffee drinks, try ordering a 1 shot espresso "tall" or "grande"--it has less caffeine than a cup of coffee.

trader joe's bay blend or french roast; starbucks kamodo dragon blend decaf. congratulations!

Yes, Peet's decaf is good. You can get it at Safeway on sale sometimes.

Even better for a smooth taste is "Organic Peru" made by the Bay Coffee Company in Pacifica. They roast and grind in Pacifica.

Once I passed the 1st trimester I bought decaf and regular and mix them 1/2 and 1/2 in the filter at home. I'm 21 weeks.

Mom of four: 18yr girl, 11yr boy, 6 yr boy and baby due 10/1. My husband likes the decaf Organic Peru as well.
[We weren't big coffee drinkers with the other children, but began to drink more coffee in the past 8 years. So, this is our preference.]

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Coffee is great. They water process and are eco friendly.

I really like Starbucks new blend Pikes Place which comes in decaf. You can buy the beans at any Starbucks *& ask them to grind them for you too.

For a supermarket variety Folders Gourmet Selections "Lively Columbian" decaf is also excellent.

Hi Tifanny
I myself am a huge coffee drinker also. I work with an OB/GYN and he doesn't really recommend decaf coffee. This reason being is because the coffee is decafinated with chemicals and if you are going to drink coffee, you should just drink the original ( of course you should cut down to 1 cup a day). You might look into decaf coffee that has been decaf. by a water process and not chemicals. I know it will be hard to cut down to just one cup (if you are like me 3-4), but I believe you can do it.
good luck, A.

Hi T.,
Congratulations! I have been enjoying Peet's Major Dickason's Decaf. It is new from them and pretty good for decaf. An alternative, if you are near Larkspur, is Rulli's. They have a fantastic French Roast decaf. Both of these are pricey, but so worth it.
Good Luck!

I get one at Trader Joe's that it's really good, people don't even realize it's decaf by the taste:
Trader Joe's Colombia Supremo decaf, it has a couple of Tucan birds in the label. And it's naturally decaffeinated...
Enjoy it!
H. Guerrero
www.newearththerapies.com

Hi T.,
I only need 1 cup of caffeinated coffee a day. Without that 1 cup, I'll get a terrible headache later in the day, almost to the point of feeling like a migraine. I can't get used to decaf, so it's the caffeine that I need to avoid the headache. That sounds terrible, I know. I did drink just 1 cup throughout my entire pregnancy. I'm pregnant now and still just drinking that one cup...no soda, etc. If it's only 1 or 2 cups of caffeinated coffee that you drink each day, I think that's okay. Sorry for not having a decaf suggestion.

This is not just about cutting out "some" caffeine, it is about giving it up altogether.

Try Starbuck's decaf Sumatra or Pacific Coast "bold blend." Both are delicious.

Hang in there.

I drank the decaf FRENCH ROAST from Trader Joe's (blue can, orange lid). I'm also an avid coffee drinker and although this coffee "helped", none of the decaf tastes as good as coffee w/ caffeine.
I also heard the there are many ways of decaffeinating coffee and that they could be pretty nasty, like when they use some sort of bleach to do it. But how are we going to find out what process they used?! That said, someone advised me to just drink regular coffee, 1 cup a day only, and 4 cups of water to wash it out of the system. Like the wise says "Everything in moderation".
Good luck and best of life to your family and your new baby.

I don't like very stong coffee, but I've enjoyed Capricorn Swiss Water Decaf.
good luck in your search!
-L.

You might try mixing a coffee you like with the decaf - half and half. Or just drink less of regular. I don't like the taste of most decaf either. Mary Ann

taylor made...the best.

I agree w/ what Erika said...Peet's Coffee is the best. If you don't have a Peet's nearby, go on line. They are great coffees. (www.peetscoffee.com)
T.

I haven't tried it myself, but know people who swear by Blue Bottle's decaf. It's organic and Swiss water processed. It's not cheap but supposedly REALLY good.

http://www.bluebottlecoffee.net

Hi T.,

The only one I found that actually tastes like coffee (and not dirty water) was Peet's. It has a strong flavor more like "real" coffee. Best of luck with your coffee search - and the new baby on the way!

Best regards,
E.

Hi T.,
I definatly know what you mean! I have been an avid coffee drinker for years, but when I found out I was pregnant a little over a month ago I stopped and picked up some alternatives. As crazy as it may sound what I have found to taste the best is General Foods International instant coffee mix. There are two which are naturally decaffeinated and sugar free: French Vanilla Cafe and Suisse Mocha. I like the vanilla one best because it tastes like a vanilla latte. So far so good, no headaches. I had tried to quit caffine a couple years ago and my body through a fit giving me tons of headaches. These little containers are relatively cheap - $3 at Wal-Mart. I hope it works out for you.

L.

I would talk to your doc first. I have been told that the chemicals they use to decafinate the coffe are actually worse than caffiene. I LOVE my coffee, when I was pregnant I would still drink it, not as much, but I would just water it down more and really limit myself, to where I kind of weened myslef and at times would go a day or two, sometimes more with no coffee at all! GOod luck!

Hey T.. Starbucks De-Caf Breakfast Blend is very good and so is their House Blend.

Congratulations on the new baby!

Summatra by Peetes or Starbucks.

T.,
I too LOVE my coffee. I don't know where you live but if you get a chance to get into San Francisco, there is a great coffee place (my favorite) in North Beach called Cafe Trieste. They are family run and have excellent decaf. The best part is that it doesn't taste burnt like some of the other kinds. It actually tastes good! Trader Joes is pretty good too.
T.