Tag: Decaf caffeine content

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), coffee labeled as decaffeinated must have at least 97% of its original caffeine removed. This means that while drastically reduced, the caffeine in Starbucks decaf is not completely eliminated, and trace amounts will remain in your cup.

According to the National Coffee Association, decaffeination typically removes at least 97% of the caffeine from coffee beans. While many assume decaf coffee is completely caffeine-free, it actually contains trace amounts of the stimulant, making the total caffeine content significantly lower than its caffeinated counterpart.

While decaf coffee is often perceived as a uniform, caffeine-free product, research from the Journal of Analytical Toxicology found decaf espresso samples varied significantly in caffeine content, with some containing up to 15.8 mg per serving. Does all decaf coffee have the same amount of caffeine? The answer is a definitive no, and the reasons are many.

Decaffeinated coffee still contains a small amount of caffeine, with US regulations requiring at least 97% of the stimulant to be removed from the beans. This fact surprises many people who assume a 'decaf' label means the beverage is completely caffeine-free, but the myth that decaf coffee is actually no caffeine is simply not true.