Decaf coffee contains a small amount of caffeine, significantly less than regular coffee but not completely caffeine-free. Typically, an 8-ounce (about 236 ml) cup of decaf coffee contains between 2 to 15 mg of caffeine, whereas a regular cup of coffee contains roughly 70 to 200 mg of caffeine
. The decaffeination process usually removes about 97% or more of the caffeine from coffee beans, but some caffeine remains. The exact amount can vary depending on the decaffeination method and the coffee brand. For example, Swiss Water Process decaf coffee is about 99% caffeine-free, while other methods like methylene chloride removal are about 98% caffeine-free, resulting in similar caffeine levels of 2–15 mg per cup
. In terms of comparison:
Coffee Type| Caffeine Content (per 8 oz)
---|---
Regular Coffee| 70–200 mg
Decaf Coffee| 2–15 mg
Decaf Espresso (1 oz)| 3–15 mg
Decaf espresso can sometimes have caffeine amounts comparable to or slightly higher than brewed decaf coffee, depending on the shot size and preparation
. In summary, while decaf coffee has much less caffeine than regular coffee, it still contains a small amount that could be relevant for those highly sensitive to caffeine or advised to avoid it completely
