Tag: Trace caffeine

Despite its name, decaf coffee is not completely caffeine-free, retaining trace amounts that are regulated differently depending on the region. Understanding what's the legal limit for caffeine in decaf requires looking at regulatory differences between major markets, like the US and the EU.

According to the USDA, a standard 8-ounce cup of decaf coffee still contains between 2 and 5 milligrams of caffeine, proving the common misconception that it is caffeine-free is false. This lingering caffeine can indeed lead to jittery feelings in those who are particularly sensitive, despite the significant reduction from a regular cup's 95 mg average. The answer to "Can decaf coffee still make you feel jittery?" is a definitive yes for some people.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), an 8-ounce cup of decaf coffee typically contains about 2 to 5 milligrams of caffeine. This means that while the amount is significantly lower than a regular cup of coffee, it is not zero.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, an average 8-ounce cup of decaf coffee contains about 2 to 5 milligrams of caffeine, proving that no coffee is 100% decaffeinated. Instead, decaf has undergone a process that removes most, but not all, of the caffeine, with methods like the Swiss Water Process achieving up to 99.9% removal.

While often viewed as a simple caffeine-free alternative, decaf coffee is not entirely free of caffeine, with an average cup containing 2-5mg. This fact, along with concerns about the decaffeination process itself, highlights that understanding what are the negatives of decaf coffee is more complex than simply avoiding jitters.