Less Caf

For the second cup, the afternoon cup, the one that used to cost you sleep. Some of these are blended with decaf. Others simply grew with less caffeine in them. Both land in the same place.

Two Ways to Less Caffeine

Everything in this collection gives you a cup with less caffeine in it. The coffees get there in two completely different ways, and the difference matters if you are trying to hit a specific number.

Half caf is a blend. We roast decaffeinated coffee and full caffeine coffee, then combine them. The caffeine was removed from one half at the mill. Our Intermission is sugarcane EA decaf blended with full caf, which lands it at roughly half the caffeine of a standard cup.

Naturally low caffeine is genetics. Some coffee varietals produce less caffeine while still on the tree, so nothing has to be taken out. Laurina is the best known of these, a natural mutation of Bourbon that carries roughly half the caffeine of typical arabica. It has never been near a decaffeination facility.

How Much Caffeine Is in Half Caf Coffee

A standard 8oz cup of coffee typically runs 80 to 100mg of caffeine. Decaf typically runs 2 to 7mg. Everything in this collection sits somewhere in between.

Type Caffeine per 8oz How it gets there
Full caf 80 to 100mg Standard arabica
Half caf 40 to 55mg Decaf blended with full caf
Naturally low caffeine 40 to 55mg Laurina and similar varietals
Decaf 2 to 7mg 97% or more removed at the mill

These are typical industry ranges, not measured values for our specific lots. Actual caffeine content varies with origin, varietal, roast level, dose, grind, and brew method, and we do not lab test individual batches. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a guarantee. If you need precise caffeine figures for medical reasons, talk to your doctor. More on caffeine by decaffeination method.

Who This Is For

Most people who land here are not trying to quit caffeine. They are trying to move the dial. A second cup that does not cost them sleep. An afternoon coffee that does not turn into a 2am ceiling stare. A morning ritual that stays intact while the dose comes down.

Half caf is the easier step down if you are used to full caffeine and want something familiar. Naturally low-caffeine varietals like Laurina are the more interesting cup, and worth trying if you care about flavor as much as the number.

Common Questions

What is half caf coffee?

Half caf is a blend of decaffeinated and full caffeine coffee, usually in equal parts. The result is roughly half the caffeine of a standard cup. It is not a separate type of bean, it is two coffees roasted and combined.

Is Laurina decaf?

No. Laurina is a naturally occurring mutation of the Bourbon varietal that produces less caffeine than typical arabica while still on the tree, generally reported at around half. Nothing is removed from it. That makes it lower in caffeine, but it is not decaffeinated and it is not caffeine free.

Can I drink half caf in the afternoon?

For most people, yes. Half caf typically sits well below a standard cup, though the exact amount varies by batch and brew. If you are sensitive to caffeine or drinking late in the evening, decaf is the safer choice.

Does half caf taste different from regular coffee?

It should not, if the decaf half is good. Most half caf blends taste flat because the decaf component is low grade filler. We use the same sugarcane EA decaf in Intermission that goes into our single origin bags.

Can I mix my own half caf?

Yes, and plenty of people do. Buy a bag of decaf and a bag of full caf and blend to whatever ratio suits you. The advantage of a pre-blended half caf is consistency, and that both halves were roasted to work together.

Where is your coffee roasted?

San Diego, California. We roast in small batches and ship the same week, with the roast date printed on every bag.

Looking for something with the caffeine taken all the way out? Shop our decaf collection, home of the highest rated decaf in Coffee Review history.