The Best Half Caff Coffee (Top 11 Picks)

Want to find the best half caff coffee? Take a look at our choice of beans, grounds, and K Cups, and a buying guide for picking the right one for you.

Short on time? Our top choice is the Lifeboost Half-Caff Coffee!

Picking the best half-caff coffee can be hard. 

Especially when you’re choosing between whole beans, grounds, and K-Cups.

There are just too many choices.

Luckily for you, I’ve spent a long time in and around the coffee industry, so I’ve picked up quite a bit of knowledge.

In this article, I’ll walk you through my favorite half-caff coffees in beans, grounds, and K-Cups.

Top 11 Half-Caff Beans, Grounds, and K-Cups

• Lifeboost Half-Caff Coffee (Best Overall)
• Community Coffee Half-Caff Cafe Special Ground Coffee (Most Unique Flavor)
• Stone Street Half-Caff Ground Coffee (Best Medium Roast)
• Eight O’Clock Coffee 50% Decaf Medium Roast (Most Classic Flavor)
• Volcanica Half-Caff Coffee (Best Half-caff Whole Bean)
• Real Good Coffee Company Half-Caff Medium Roast Beans (Most Versatile Blend)
• Coffee Bean Direct Half-Caff Colombian (Best Single-Origin)
• Lifeboost Half-Caff Coffee Pods (Best Half-Caff Pod)
• Green Mountain Half-Caff K-Cup Pod (Best For Keurigs)
• World’s Best Half-Caff Dark Roast K-Cup Pods (Best Dark Roast Pod)
• Fresh Roasted Coffee Ethiopia Sidamo Half-Caff (Best Ethiopian)

Lifeboost Half-Caff Coffee

Lifeboost has become one of my favorite roasters in the last year or so.

Every coffee they produce is top-tier. This half-caff coffee is no exception.

Lifeboost uses the Swiss Water decaffeination process. That means that no chemicals were used during decaffeination.

The result is a half-caff coffee that still tastes like coffee and not like chemicals.

Plus, Lifeboost still uses 100% Arabica coffee beans in its half-caff coffee. That means this coffee has a higher quality than any Arabica/Robusta blend.

And a single-origin Nicaraguan coffee. Single-origin coffees always have a more specific and focused flavor profile. As a true coffee lover, I almost always prefer single-origin over blended coffee.

Lifeboost is certified Organic and Fair Trade. That means you can trust the high production standards of this coffee.

The only downside is that buying pre-ground coffee means that your coffee will lose its flavor faster than whole-bean coffee.

Pros

• The Swiss Water process keeps the decaf portion of this blend tasty and rounded, you don’t lose any flavor to chemicals
• It’s 100% Arabica bean coffee, which is better and tastier than any Arabica/Robusta blend
• It’s single-origin Nicaraguan coffee, which means you get a full and focused flavor profile instead of a blended flavor
• Lifeboost makes sure to get Fair Trade and USDA Organic certified, so you can trust that the production standards are high

Cons

• Because it comes pre-ground, it will start to lose its flavor faster than buying whole-bean coffee and grinding it at home

Community Coffee Half-Caff Cafe Special Ground Coffee

Community is a newer roaster that I came across in my search for the best half-caff coffees.

And it was an easy decision to include this one on the list.

It’s a unique half-caff in that it’s got half the caffeine because it’s blended with chicory. Historically, chicory was added to coffee to save money.

These days it’s a bit of a novelty, but it makes a great half-caff coffee! It adds a woodsy aroma and a unique flavor.

The medium-dark roast gives the coffee a robust but balanced flavor. The roast makes it perfect for daily brewing.

And the coffee is 100% Arabica beans. The Arabica beans give it a great and rounded flavor to compliment the chicory.

And the Community gives a portion of each sale back to the community.

The only thing you should note is that chicory doesn’t have a distinct earthy flavor that can be off-putting at first.

Pros

• The medium-dark roast gives this coffee a robust but balanced flavor, perfect for a daily drinker
• It’s 100% Arabica beans, which means it doesn’t have any inferior and less-tasty Robusta beans
• Community commits a portion of every sale to give back to the community, so this blend is a way to help give back
• It’s blended with chicory, so it has a unique flavor and a woodsy aroma

Cons

• The addition of chicory isn’t for everyone and can be off-putting at first

Stone Street Half-Caff Ground Coffee

Stone Stree has been on my radar for a while now. And with every coffee I come across, I like them more and more.

This half-caff is one you should really consider. It’s 100% Arabica beans, which are better and tastier than Robusta beans or any blend of the two.

But the decaf half of this blend is a Swiss Water decaf. That means no chemicals were used during decaffeination.

Stone Street uses resealable bags, which means that your pre-ground coffee will stay fresh for longer than in a non-resealable bag.

Lastly, the medium roast gives this coffee a rich and bold flavor.

The only thing to note is that it’s still a blend. Blended coffees don’t have as specific or rounded a profile as single-origin coffees.

Pros

• It’s 100% Arabica beans, which are better and tastier than Robusta beans or any Arabica/Robusta blend
• It’s the Swiss Water process, so no chemicals were used during decaffeination, and no chemical aftertaste in your brew
• The resealable bag helps keep your pre-ground coffee fresh for longer than a non-resealable bag
• The medium roast gives this blend a rich and bold flavor without sacrificing the profile to the decaffeination process

Cons

• Because it’s a blend, you don’t get as full and rounded a flavor profile as you would with a single-origin half-caff

Eight O’Clock Coffee 50% Decaf Medium Roast

I adore Eight O’Clock Coffee.

It has a classic flavor and a perfect balance between bold and balanced.

And the half-caff blend is more of the same.

It’s made with 100% Arabica beans. Arabica beans are simply better than Robusta beans or any blend of Arabica and Robusta.

And the medium roast of this blend keeps the coffee balanced and smooth without sacrificing flavor.

The profile itself has wine notes and an elegant aroma with a full-bodied finish. All that to say, it’s a great daily brewer and tastes amazing with or without cream and sugar.

Plus, it’s Kosher certified. That means that no chemicals were used throughout the production process.

The bottom line is that this is an all-around solid coffee.

The only downside is that this is a blended coffee. Blended coffees don’t have as specific a flavor profile as single-origin coffees.

Pros

• It’s 100% Arabica beans, which are just simply better than Robusta beans or any blend of the two
• The medium roast keeps this coffee balanced and smooth without sacrificing the flavor
• The profile has wine notes and a rich, elegant aroma with a full-bodied finish, which makes it a great daily brewer
• It’s Kosher certified, which means that no chemicals were used throughout the production process

Cons

• The only downside is that this is a blend of coffees, so you’re not getting the most specific flavor profile possible

Volcanica Half-Caff Coffee 

Volcanica is doing great work with coffee at the moment.

This half-caff coffee is a blend of half Swiss Water decaf beans and half regular Volcanica House blend.

The Swiss Water decaffeination process means no chemicals were used. It also means the coffee itself doesn’t taste like chemicals.

The medium roast of this blend gives the coffee a pleasant balance. Nothing dominates the flavors.

Medium roasts tend to be great for versatile coffees like this one. It tastes incredible with or without cream and sugar.

You’ll find a sweet, bold, and full-bodied profile in this coffee.

It’s a blend of Central and South American coffees. That means the flavors are not too acidic and certainly not too bitter.

The only downside is that it’s a blend. So you don’t get as specific a flavor profile as you would with a single-origin half-caff coffee.

Pros

• The Swiss Water process keeps this half-caff tasting like coffee and not chemicals
• The medium roast gives this coffee a pleasant balance and doesn’t overpower the flavor profile
• This coffee has sweet, bold, and full-bodied flavors that are perfect for drinking black or for adding cream and sugar
• The blend of Central and South American coffees means this coffee is balanced without being too acidic or too bitter

Cons

• The only downside is that this coffee is a blend, which means you don’t get as specific a flavor profile

Real Good Coffee Company Half-Caff Medium Roast Beans

Real Good Coffee Company has some really good coffee. Who would’ve guessed?

This particular half-caff coffee is definitely worth considering. The medium-light roast gives this coffee a lively and brighter aroma and taste.

The tasting notes of caramel and chocolate are spot on and come across nicely in every brew.

Real Good Coffee created this blend for versatility. They tested it on a number of different brewers like French Press or regular drip machines.

They tailored this blend to work with the widest range of coffee makers.

And it’s 100% Arabica beans. Arabica beans are quite simply better and tastier than any Arabica/Robusta blend.

The only downside is that the decaf part of this blend uses chemical decaffeination. That means the flavor profile is a little flatter than a Swiss water-processed coffee.

Pros

• The medium-light roast gives this coffee a lively and brighter aroma and taste, perfect for a morning brewer
• The tasting notes of caramel and chocolate are spot on and come across nicely no matter how you like to brew your coffee
• The blend was created with versatility in mind, meaning that this coffee works great in all kinds of brewers
• It’s 100% Arabica coffee beans, which means you’re getting a better taste and quality than any Arabica/Robusta blend

Cons

• The decaf part of this blend uses a chemical decaffeination process, which means the flavor profile is a little flat

Coffee Bean Direct Half-Caff Colombian

Coffee Bean Direct has a handful of coffees that I recommend whenever I can.

This half-caff Colombian is one of those coffees.

It’s a single-origin Colombian half-caff. That means it has a rounded and rich flavor profile. A noticeable difference when compared to a blended coffee.

Plus, the light roast gives this a lively, bright, and sweet flavor that comes across nicely. The lighter roast makes this a great daily brewer.

And this is an all-Arabica coffee. Arabica beans are the best in the world. They are tastier than any Robusta bean or Arabica/Robusta blend.

And buying 5lb bags is a great way to help budget your coffee spending.

The only downside is that the decaf portion of this coffee is made with chemically decaffeinated beans. The chemicals flatten the flavor profile a little bit.

Pros

• This is a single-origin Colombian half-caff, so it has a more focused and specific flavor profile than a blended coffee
• The light roast gives this a lively, bright, and sweet flavor that comes across nicely and makes for a great daily brewer
• These are Arabica beans, which taste better and have higher quality than any Robusta bean or blend of beans
• Buying beans in 5lb bags is a great way to help budget your coffee spending

Cons

• The decaf portion of this coffee is from a chemical decaffeination process, which flattens the flavor profile a little bit

Lifeboost Half-Caff Coffee Pods 

Lifeboost has a single-serve pod version of their already phenomenal half-caff coffee.

What could be better?

These half-caff pods are compatible with all Keurig machines.

And Lifeboost still gets the pods certified by USDA Organic and Fair Trade. You can trust that the production standards were high.

The pods themselves are recyclable. That helps lower the environmental impact of drinking single-serve coffee pods.

And this is still a single-origin Nicaraguan coffee, so you get a specific and rounded flavor profile. The decaf portion of this coffee was made without chemicals.

The only downside is that the pods are more expensive than buying the pre-ground option.

Pros

• These pods are compatible with all Keurig machines, which means you don’t have to worry if these pods will work for you
• Lifeboost is certified by USDA Organic and Fair Trade, which means you can trust that the production standards are high
• The pods themselves are recyclable, which helps lower the impact of drinking coffee pods
• It’s a single-origin Nicaraguan coffee, which means you get a specific and focused flavor profile

Cons

• The pods are more expensive than buying the pre-ground or whole-bean option

Green Mountain Half-Caff K-Cup Pods

When it comes to K-Cups, Green Mountain coffee roasters are hard to beat.

They are, after all, owned by Keurig. That means that Green Mountain’s pods are made specifically for Keurig machines. Compatibility with your Keurig is never a concern.

The medium roast of this half-caff blend is balanced, smooth, and rich. It’s perfect for daily brewing.

This coffee has hints of chocolate and raisins with a nutty finish. That makes it a great coffee for drinking with or without cream and sugar.

And this coffee is still 100% Arabica beans. Arabica beans are the best option in terms of quality and taste, especially when compared to Robusta beans.

The only thing to note is that Green Mountain half-caff pods are more expensive than buying the pre-ground version.

Pros

• The medium roast means this coffee is balanced, smooth, and rich, perfect for daily brewing
• Keurig owns Green Mountain, so compatibility is never a concern
• These pods have notes of chocolate and raisin with a nutty finish, perfect for drinking with or without cream and sugar
• This coffee is 100% Arabica beans, which are tastier and better than any Robusta/Arabica blend

Cons

• Getting Green Mountain pods is a little more expensive than the pre-ground or whole-bean options

World’s Best Half-Caff Dark Roast K-Cup Pods

World’s Best is a smaller roaster with a clever name. But it does have a pretty good half-caff coffee pod.

It’s a dark roast, which makes the coffee rich, bold, and robust. It’s ideal for adding cream and sugar.

And it’s made with 100% Arabica coffee beans. Arabica beans are really the only option if you’re buying them for superior taste and quality.

These pods are produced with solar energy, and the pods are recyclable. Both of those things help lower the environmental impact of consuming single-serve pods.

And the World’s Best roasts in small batches. That means that you’re more likely to get a fresh roast each time you buy a box.

The only downside is that the decaf portion of this blend is made with chemically decaffeinated beans. That flattens the flavors a little bit.

Pros

• The dark roast makes this coffee rich, bold, and robust, which makes it great for adding cream and sugar
• It’s made with 100% Arabica coffee beans, which are better than Robusta beans or any blend of the two
• It’s made with solar energy, and the pods are recyclable, which means this is a responsible way to enjoy single-serve coffee pods
• This is roasted in small batches, which means you’re more likely to get the freshest possible roast every time you buy a box

Cons

• The decaf portion of this blend is chemically decaffeinated, which flattens the flavor profile

Fresh Roasted Coffee Ethiopia Sidamo Half-Caff Pods

Fresh Roasted Coffee is another smaller roaster with a clever name. But it has a great single-origin single-serve pod in the lineup.

This single-origin Ethiopian half-caff has a focused and specific flavor profile. Hints of blueberries are the strongest note.

The medium roast gives this coffee a mellow and balanced profile without being too acidic or too bitter.

And the decaf portion is made with the Swiss Water process. The Swiss Water process is the best for retaining the coffee taste in decaffeinated beans.

And it’s still 100% Arabica coffee beans. Arabica beans are the best when it comes to quality and taste. Especially compared to Robusta beans or a blend of Arabica and Robusta.

The only downside is that because it’s a milder roast, this coffee isn’t great with cream and sugar.

Pros

• The medium roast gives this coffee a mellow and balanced flavor profile without being too acidic or too bitter
• The Swiss Water process keeps coffee tasting like coffee and not chemicals
• It’s a single-origin half-caff, which means you get a more focused and specific flavor profile
• It’s 100% Arabica beans, which are better and of higher quality than any Arabica/Robusta blend

Cons

• Because it’s a milder half-caff, it doesn’t do as well with cream and sugar

How To Buy Half-Caff Coffee

I know I just threw a ton of different options at you all at once.

So, I’d like to take this section to discuss how you can go about narrowing down your choices.

What Is The Decaffeination Process?

There are two main types of decaffeination processes: with chemicals or the Swiss Water process.

The first way is exactly what it sounds like.

The green coffee beans are soaked in one of a handful of chemicals that essentially soak up the caffeine before the beans are roasted.

This process is cheap and fast.

But it also takes away a lot of the coffee oils that give us classic flavors. You’re left with a coffee that’s flat and often has a chemical aftertaste.

The Swiss Water process uses only water to decaffeinate the green coffee beans.

That’s done by soaking the green beans in water until the caffeine is gone. Those beans are discarded, and the water is reused for the next batch of beans.

The second batch of beans will lose its caffeine but not the essential coffee flavors.

So the upside is that the Swiss Water process tastes much better. 

But it’s slower and more expensive.

MY RECOMMENDATION
The Swiss Water process is becoming the industry standard, and it should probably be your standard, too. Unless you want the cheapest half-caff coffee possible.

When Should You Buy Beans, Grounds, Or Pods?

This depends on your personal preference and situation.

The gold standard of home brewing (whether it’s decaf, half-caff, or caffeinated coffee) is buying whole coffee beans and grinding yourself.

That will produce the most consistent coffee of the three options.

However, not all coffee drinkers have access to a good, entry-level coffee grinder. In that case, pre-ground coffee is a good idea.

But pre-ground coffee will lose its taste much faster than the whole coffee bean because of the oxygen exposure.

Some people swear by their single-serve coffee pod machine.

If that’s you, then you should certainly go for the half-caff coffee pods. There are plenty of great options out there.

BOTTOM LINE
It all depends on your personal situation. If possible, I always recommend buying whole beans for grinding and brewing at home. But go with what works best for you and your coffee maker.

Do Roast And Origin Make A Difference?

Each country has its own unique flavor profile and characteristics.

Ethiopia, for example, has a number of phenomenal coffees that share tasting notes like blueberries and fruit loops.

Guatemala is known for tasting notes of chocolate and molasses.

The roast helps accentuate those characteristics.

Lighter roasts will have more unique and interesting flavors. But they will be more delicate and tougher to brew consistently.

Darker roasts will have bold flavors and be more consistent. But you lose some of the flavor profile.

BOTTOM LINE
Find a combination of roast and origin that tastes the best to you and expand your search from there.

My Final Verdict

My top recommendation is still the Lifeboost Half-Caff Coffee.

The decaf coffee portion is a Swiss water-processed coffee. It retains a lot more of its regular coffee taste instead of tasting like chemicals.

And it’s certified by USDA Organic and Fair Trade. That means the production standards were high.

But on top of that, it’s a single-origin Nicaraguan coffee. So it has a specific and focused flavor profile that appeals to all palates.

And it comes in single-serve pods, too.

It’s simply a classic half-caffeinated coffee that tastes great no matter how you like your brews.