Decaf coffee has long been an appealing alternative for those unable to consume caffeinated drinks due to health reasons or looking to reduce their caffeine consumption. Though decaf contains much less caffeine (the FDA suggests no more than 400 milligrams a day), many don’t realize that their coffee choice also influences how much caffeine is contained within it.

Not all decaf coffee is created equally: certain brands utilize harsh chemicals like methylene chloride or ethyl acetate to remove caffeine from green coffee beans prior to roasting, which could potentially leave behind chemical residues that could end up in your cup. That is why you need to ensure you’re drinking only high-quality decafs.

ZOE nutritionists conducted extensive tests of decaf coffee from different brands to help you select the one that is perfect for you. We assessed their flavor, price point and more before ranking each brand from best to worst on our scale of best to worst.

Our tasters sampled Starbucks Pike Place Decaf, Caribou Coffee Caribou Blend Decaf, Allegro Whole Foods Decaf, Dunkin’ Donuts Classic Decaf, Folgers Classic Decaf and Maxwell House Decaf coffees; while some offered pleasant sweetness or mild smokiness; others were flat and bitter with unpleasant notes of nutshell and burnt rubber flavors; some coffees we tasted even made us queasy!

At last, we’ve discovered some healthy decaf that actually tastes good! To find one of these products, use Swiss water decaffeination method which uses nontoxic, environmental friendly water to strip caffeine from green beans before roasting – this results in decaf that’s better for both you and the planet compared with traditional methods which use harmful chemicals like methylene chloride or methylene glycol (both found in nail polish remover).

Check your favorite brand of coffee’s decaffeination process using this website, which offers an exhaustive list of decaf types. Or if you want extra assurance, go with certified organic decaf that has been verified by USDA.

Some individuals may be sensitive to the small amount of caffeine found in most decaf coffees; other individuals may need to avoid caffeine entirely for reasons related to migraines, headaches or anxiety. Though decaf can provide many health benefits for many individuals, we advise those who enjoy caffeine to consider adding real caffeine into their drinks – just keep to FDA’s 400 milligram limit and drink plenty of water while doing it!