The 9 Best Dark Roast Decaf Coffee Beans (A Complete Guide)

Last Updated on January 29, 2022 by John Moretti

Sure, waking up in the morning isn’t always the most pleasant experience, but when you have a nice warm cup of dark roast coffee as your morning pick-me-up, then it’s significantly better. I have a list of the best dark roast decaf coffee beans that you can get your hands on, along with some tips to help you know your beans better. 

These beans can be easily spotted thanks to their darker color and oily sheen. It allows you to experience bold and deep flavors. 

So why not order a cup of heavy-bodied bliss? Let’s get started!         

Best Dark Roast Decaf Coffee Beans

1. Koffee Kult Decaf Coffee Beans

Koffee Kult - Colombian Decaf Coffee- SWP (Whole Bean, 12oz)


Check Price on Amazon
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

These Arabica beans are free from any chemicals and offer nearly the same taste as their caffeinated counterparts. Gone are the days when all you could get with decaf was a stale and flat-tasting cup. 

Their manufacturing process gets rid of 97% of caffeine and delivers a dark chocolaty note. You can choose from a wide array of origins, including Brazil, Colombia, and Sumatra. 

These fresh-roasted beans can easily brew a smooth and heavy-bodied cup filled with a cinnamon flavor. They usually roast their coffee beans just prior to packaging which helps truly harness the earthly notes and bold flavors. 

These beans work well with every kind of brewing method. Their Thunderbolt line is known to be even darker and toastier. 

2. Lifeboost Organic Decaf Coffee Beans 

As hinted by their name, Lifeboost aims to improve your coffee experience with their single-origin low acid coffee beans. These Nicaraguan beans are devoid of any chemicals and non-natural ingredients, giving you a pure, mountain-grown coffee. 

For those of you who don’t do well with the acid content in their coffees or have certain digestive issues, you’d be happy to know that the rating of these beans on the pH scale is around 6. The company claims that even those who had to give up coffee due to acidity-related issues can have these beans without any side effects. 

They use a Swiss Water process to formulate their decaf, which results in 99.9% caffeine-free coffee. They come in both forms: whole bean and pre-ground. As for the taste, these beans have a bold flavor along with an enticing aroma. There is no hint of bitterness or a slightly smoky undertone when warmed. 

Their coffee is also tested for mycotoxins which, if present, can cause kidney diseases and tumors. The feel-good quotient is further amped up by their burlap-based packaging material that promotes sustainability. 

3. Kicking Horse Coffee Beans

Kicking Horse Coffee, Decaf, Swiss Water Process, Dark Roast, Whole Bean, 2.2 Pound - Certified Organic, Fairtrade, Kosher Coffee, 35.2 Ounce
$29.52 ($0.84 / Ounce)


Check Price on Amazon
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/21/2023 11:49 pm GMT

This Canada-based brand deals in fairtrade coffee beans that are also certified organic. These beans are sourced from Central and South America. They incorporate the Swiss Water process which combines the elements of time, temperature, and water to give a perfectly roasted blend. 

This coffee is 99.9% caffeine-free and has slight notes of roasted hazelnut, brown sugar, and chocolate. Furthermore, this brand has constantly backed the #1 position for Canada’s bestselling organic and fairtrade coffee 13 years in a row. 

The aroma hints towards a deep chocolaty fragrance with nutty complexity. Be it cold brew, espresso, French press or drip, you cannot go wrong with these beans. All their coffee beans are produced without any chemicals and are also directly supplied from farmers to give better pricing to consumers. 

The shade-browning process fosters sustainability and provides natural pest control and fertilization to the beans. 

You can only use these beans for 1-2 weeks after opening them. Due to this, the company doesn’t accept any returns. I will advise you to store this coffee at room temperature and avoid plastic containers, as it may affect the flavor negatively.

Lastly, if you are into single-origin coffee, then this brand isn’t for you. 

4. Kona Decaf Coffee Beans 

Decaf Kona Coffee, Swiss Water Processed Whole Bean - 1 pound


Check Price on Amazon
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Unlike brands that use chemicals like methylene chloride and ethyl acetate, Kona’s coffee beans are decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process. 

This brand has gained a reputation for producing high-quality coffee. Their coffee beans are grown in Hawaii on the Kona coffee belt located amidst two volcanoes at altitudes of 500-3,000 feet. Koa Kona also won the accolade of Best Coffee in America by Forbes. 

The flavor profile mainly consists of tropical fruits, nuts, and grapefruit. The rich volcanic soil and appropriate climatic conditions bring together the best-tasting dark decaf.  

5. Coffee Bros. Colombian Coffee Beans 

When ordering through Coffee Bros., you get an assurity of freshness since they roast small batches of coffee on-demand. This coffee will come in sturdy GrainPro bags which prohibit any moisture from entering. 

Furthermore, since this is a small-scale company, the customer support experience is very quick and personalized. They also plant one tree for every five bags you order. 

As for the taste, this coffee holds true to the company’s promise and doesn’t seem overly-roasted. The dark blend is a mix of Ethiopian and Colombian beans, which offers tasting notes of vanilla, strawberry, and sugar cane. 

Their coffee beans come in fun packaging that can also double as kitchen decor.   

Since this New York-based brand is built on the principle that their beans should never be over-roasted, dark decaf lovers might not like the light undertones. 

6. House Blend Volcanica

Volcanica House Decaf Coffee, Whole Bean, Swiss Water Processed, Fresh Roasted, 16-ounce
$5.95


Check Price on Amazon
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
02/17/2024 03:29 pm GMT

Volcanica offers lots of decaf options in their lineup, unlike their competitors which only offer one kind. They feature Costa Rican coffee alongside single origin coffee from Central and South America. 

These beans come at a reasonable price and are grown within the roots of nutrient-rich volcanic soil. Volcanica also supports sustainable techniques in manufacturing and aims to uplift the average coffee quality. 

Since these beans are grown at a high altitude, they ooze rich exotic flavor notes coupled with a sweet aftertaste and a touch of slight acidity. Their decaf’s caffeine content is less than 0.01% thanks to the Swiss Water method. 

The in-house team is SCA-trained and knows everything there is to know about roasting, explaining why bean defects are out of question here. If you happen to use a drip coffee maker, then these beans will be your best bet

7. Peet’s Coffee

This coffee brand has a wide-ranging grocery store availability and can also be easily found online. Peet’s coffee is based in the Bay Area and is known for their dark decaf. Their beans tend to have a slightly spicy and smoky flavor. 

You can get these beans in three forms: K-cups, whole beans, and ground. The size options available are 10.5 or 16 ounces. They also have other decaf lines named Holiday Blend and Major Dickason’s. 

These beans are hand-roasted one time when you order them. If you check out their website, you will get the option to choose the type of taste that you prefer. They include: 

  • Bright, citrusy, sweet
  • Fruity and floral 
  • Nutty and chocolatey
  • Herbal and earthy 
  • Spicy and complex 

8. Lavazza Caffe Coffee Beans

Lavazza Decaf Espresso Bean, 1.1 lb - Pack of 2


Check Price on Amazon
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Founded in 1895, Lavazza is an Italian coffee brand known for their intense aroma and strong flavor profile. These Arabica beans are decaffeinated using a water process and sourced from Brazil

The taste profile is quite rich and satisfying due to the presence of sweet Asian coffees within. These beans also produce a thick and lasting crema, making them well-suited for espresso-based beverages. 

Unlike most beans, which give out flavors of milk chocolate when brewed, these beans give slight hints of dried fruit and brown sugar. Their Dek Filtro range, on the other hand, is suited for those who prefer a darker coffee profile.   

9. Keto-Friendly: Coffee Over Cardio Nite Owl 

You don’t usually come across a fitness-tailored option that is as good as these Nite Owl coffee beans by Coffee Over Cardio. Their aesthetic packaging is applauded by many. These coffee beans also have a pleasing smell which sets them apart from similar offerings in this price range. 

Even though they are only available in ground form, you can easily put these beans in a regular coffee maker or fill them in a reusable K-cup as per your preference. The taste profile includes cinnamony notes and a smooth texture throughout. 

Which Decaffeination Method Is The Best? 

soaked

Every method has some pros and cons. Even though the solvent method includes chemicals in the preparation process, the beans can be reused in foods, soft drinks, and dietary supplements. 

The carbon dioxide method is a relatively newer method in which the beans are soaked in water to open their pores followed by the addition of carbon dioxide, which wicks out most of the caffeine. 

But if you want your beans to be the closest to their purest state, then you should go with the Mountain Water process or the Swiss Water Process. However, the coffee extracted from these methods cannot be reused. 

Is Decaf Completely Free Of Caffeine?

All kinds of coffee beans contain some amount of caffeine, including decaf. The decaffeination techniques incorporated just lower the concentration of caffeine to roughly 7mg per average-sized cup, unlike the normal 20mg per cup in conventional coffee. 

Do Decaf And Regular Coffee Taste Different?

The taste usually comes down to the kind of beans that you have chosen. Some brands’ decaf might be the same as regular coffee from another brand, while some may be totally different. The more you try and experiment, the closer you will get to find the perfect taste. 

Before you go ahead and make your purchase, you should also consider checking out important factors like bean type, altitude, and origin. Arabica beans are a standard across the globe and offer a sweet flavor with low acid content. Robusta, on the other hand, is very harsh and has high levels of caffeine. 

The fruity and floral notes are best met by Liberica beans, but they come bearing a high price. Last is the excelsa bean which is ideal for light roasts. The taste of your coffee might also differ significantly based on the origin. As for the altitude, the higher the elevation, the sweeter your coffee will taste due to being more vulnerable to rainfall. 

Enjoy your coffee!