Best Decaf Coffee Beans Australia

You’ve got the espresso machine. The milk frother. The late-night craving.

Now you just need a decaf that doesn’t taste like disappointment.

Good decaf coffee beans is a rare breed. It’s like finding a needle in a caffeine-free haystack. But it *does* exist. Whether you’re cutting back, staying zen before bed, or simply want a solid cup without the jitters, here’s a decaf coffee bean in Australia that actually tastes like coffee - not cardboard.

We’ll be testing more soon, but this one’s already a standout.

Supermarket options are limited, and honestly, it’s been tough to find any that come close to the flavour and quality of a good specialty roast. We've previously applauded the excellent quality of whole-bean coffee that supermarkets now offer. But that standard seems to vanish completely when it comes to decaf. 

*Prices checked 6 October 2025.

TL;DR: What to Know About Decaf Coffee

 

Not 100% caffeine-free: Most decaf is around 97% caffeine-free. A cup still has roughly 2–5 mg of caffeine (compared to 80–100 mg in regular coffee). Enough for flavour, not enough for jitters.

Different Methods for Removing Caffeine:

• Swiss Water Process: Uses water and carbon filters. 100% chemical-free with a clean, balanced flavour.
• Sugarcane / Ethyl Acetate: Uses a compound from fermented sugarcane. Naturally sweet and smooth.
• CO₂ Process: Uses pressurised carbon dioxide. Costly but preserves more aroma and complexity.
• Solvent-based (Methylene Chloride): Common in cheaper beans. Works fast but often mutes flavour.

Freshness matters more: Decaf beans lose flavour faster. The process makes them more porous, so always buy freshly roasted and keep them airtight.

Roasting style: Medium roasts usually hit the sweet spot. Light roasts can taste sharp, dark ones turn bitter.

Brewing tips: Decaf extracts slower. Use a finer grind or a little extra coffee for better balance and body.

Health perks: Great for anyone avoiding caffeine. Whether pregnant, caffeine-sensitive, or trying to cut back - without giving up real coffee taste.

Biggest myth: “Decaf tastes bad.” True for instant and most supermarket decafs. False for well-roasted specialty coffee.

Margaret River Roasting Co — Colombia (Caña Dulce)

The Caña Dulce decaf lot from Margaret River Roasting Co. is a quiet flex in the world of caffeine-free coffee. It’s sourced from producers in Colombia’s Huila region. A place known for altitude, volcanic soil, and the kind of microclimate that gives beans depth and character even after decaffeination.

After initial washed processing, the green beans are decaffeinated using a **sugar-cane derived Ethyl Acetate** method. This removes ~97% of the caffeine while preserving flavour.

Instead of using chemicals or water processing, this coffee goes through a sugarcane Ethyl Acetate method. In plain English, that means the caffeine is removed using a compound naturally derived from fermented sugarcane. It’s gentle, preserving the bean’s natural sweetness and fruit complexity without stripping away the origin notes.

Tasting Notes: Cherry, cocoa, dried apricot

Expect a clean, rounded sweetness with notes of cherry, cocoa, and dried apricot. The acidity is restrained but still present. A soft lift rather than a bite. Medium roast brings balance: enough caramelisation for milk drinks, without losing clarity in espresso or filter brews.

The good:

• Decaf process preserves origin character rather than flattening everything
• Balanced roast for both espresso and filter methods
• Complexity — fruit, chocolate, acidity — not just “flat decaf”
• Roasted in Australia (Margaret River, WA)

The caveats:

• It’s priced like a premium coffee, but since supermarkets don’t offer decaf versions of their best blends, it’s actually comparable in value to other roasts.
• If brewed poorly (wrong grind, temperature), it can lose clarity or taste muted.
  

Best for: Coffee lovers who refuse to accept “decaf sucks” as a rule. Great in espresso machines, filter brewers, or your milk-based drinks.

Check it our via Margaret River Roasting Co

More recommendations coming soon...

How to Store Decaf Coffee Beans

So you’ve found a decaf that actually tastes like coffee.

Nice.

Now don’t ruin it by treating it like the backup bag nobody cares about.

Decaf is more delicate than regular coffee. The caffeine removal process makes the beans slightly more porous, which means they lose flavour faster if exposed to air, light, or moisture.

To keep your decaf tasting rich and fresh, store it in an airtight, opaque container somewhere cool and dark.

No fridge. No freezer. No countertop next to your toaster.

Want the setup we use?