Are Your Beans Truly Decaf? A Look at No Joe Test Strips
Are Your Beans Truly Decaf? A Look at No Joe Test Strips
We get it, decaf drinkers have trust issues. You order your carefully brewed cup of coffee, breathe in the rich aroma, and then suddenly feel suspiciously energized. Was it really decaf? Or was it a case of full caf betrayal (aka an honest mistake by the barista)? Or was it a placebo? That’s where No Joe test strips come in.
(if you are drinking decaf because you are pregnant, I'm sorry about the use of another test strip)
What Are No Joe Test Strips?
No Joe test strips are simple, single-use caffeine detection tools developed by SiPhox. Think of them like rapid tests—but for coffee. You dip the strip in your brew, wait about 30 seconds, and the strip tells you whether that “decaf” is actually low in caffeine or sneaking in the strong stuff.
They're based on lateral flow immunoassay technology (similar to at-home medical tests), and they’re designed to detect caffeine concentrations above roughly 20 mg per 8 oz—a common threshold for qualifying as decaf in the U.S.
Although these numbers can be very confusing (check out our blog about decaf coffee classifications),
How Do You Use Them?
- Brew your coffee as usual—maybe a cozy cup of Sidekick, Jitterfree Delight, or After Dark Drip. For our experiment we did the Jitterfree Delight, 1:16 ratio, v60 pour over, 3:15 brew time, 203 F.
- Let it cool slightly so you don’t scald the strip (ideal testing temperature is below 150°F).
- Dip the strip into the liquid for the instructed time (1 min).
- Wait up to 5 minutes and read the results. One line = full caffeine, your cup is still packing a punch. Two lines = decaf.
Pros of Using No Joe
- Peace of mind – Whether you’re caffeine sensitive or just want to double-check that barista didn’t mess up, it’s an easy way to know.
- Quick results – You’ll have your answer before your coffee even cools.
- Portable – Keep them in your bag or kitchen drawer for testing on the go.
- Backed by science – Developed by biotech engineers and gaining popularity in both coffee shops and homes.
Buy No Joe Test Strips on Amazon →
Cons to Consider
- Binary results – It doesn’t tell you the exact caffeine amount, just whether it crosses the decaf threshold.
- Cost per test – You’re paying for peace of mind, and it adds up if used daily.
- One-time use – Each strip works once. No do-overs.
Who Should Use These?
These are ideal for caffeine-sensitive individuals, expectant parents, and anyone who values accuracy. If you're brewing a daily cup from our decaf collection, it's nice to confirm that your late-night brew won't ruin your sleep schedule.
Should You Skip Them?
If you brew at home with trustworthy beans—like everything from our decaf selection—you probably won’t need a daily test. But if you’re buying from a cafe, or curious about store-bought beans labeled “decaf,” No Joe gives you answers.
Check out No Joe Test Strips here →
Final Thoughts
We live in an age where people DNA test their dogs, so why not test your coffee? No Joe strips are a fun, science-forward way to take control of your decaf experience. And if your cup comes back caffeinated, you’ve got the receipts.
Ready to brew decaf you can trust? Explore our full decaf coffee lineup and sip with confidence.
Affiliate Disclaimer
We may earn a small commission from purchases made through Amazon links in this post. It helps support our small business without costing you anything extra. Thanks for fueling the decaf revolution.
Scientific Disclaimer
While No Joe and similar test products are grounded in science, results may vary slightly by brew strength, temperature, and concentration. This information is not a substitute for professional laboratory-grade testing.
Tag us on Instagram with your No Joe results at @frequent.coffee – we’d love to see how your decaf stacks up!