The best decaf coffee pods (Nespresso® & Dolce Gusto®)

Decaf used to mean settling for a thin, flavourless cup. Not any more — the best decaffeinated pods taste every bit as rich and full-bodied as regular coffee, so you can enjoy an evening espresso or a second afternoon cup without the caffeine. Here's how to choose.

1. Look for full-bodied, well-roasted decaf

A good decaf keeps the body and crema of a regular shot. That comes down to the quality of the beans and the roast — cheap decaf tastes flat because it starts with low-grade coffee. Torrié's decaf options are roasted in Portugal to the same standard as the rest of the range.

2. Choose your machine and material

• Nespresso®: decaf features across the Nespresso®-compatible range, including in fully recyclable aluminium pods.
• Home-compostable: if you want decaf and low waste, the home-compostable range includes a decaf option.
• Dolce Gusto®: decaf coffee and milky-drink options in the Dolce Gusto®-compatible range.

3. Does decaf have any caffeine?

Decaf isn't completely caffeine-free — it has a tiny trace — but it's around 97% removed, so a decaf pod has a fraction of the caffeine of a regular one. Plenty low enough for an evening cup. (Curious how intensity relates to caffeine? It doesn't, really — see coffee intensity explained.)

4. Mix decaf into a subscription

Lots of households want regular in the morning and decaf later. You can mix both in one box: build your box, add whatever balance of caffeinated and decaf you like, and save up to 30% with free UK delivery.