Coffee is one of the most loved beverages all around the world. Most people don’t begin their day unless they have a good cup of coffee. Coffee is not just a delicious drink, and it is also a healthy drink. People also love coffee because of its caffeine content. However, the tolerance for caffeine in different people varies. While one can drink as many as 5 cups of coffee, others find it difficult, even to consume a single cup of coffee.
But, many people are also intolerant to the caffeine content in coffee. Thus, they look for decaf coffee.
Most people feel that regular coffee and decaf coffee differ only in terms of caffeine content. But, this is not the reality. There are several other differences between regular coffee and decaf coffee.
The significant difference lies in terms of health benefits, acidic levels, caffeine content, and the taste of coffee.
The difference between decaf coffee and regular coffee
| Difference | Regular coffee | Decaf coffee |
| Caffeine content | 70 to 140 mg | 0 to 7 mg |
| Antioxidant | Yes | Lower than 15% |
| Acidity level | Average PH level of 5 | Flat PH level of 5 |
| Side effects | Restlessness, anxiety, and palpitations | Increased bad cholesterol levels |
| Taste | Strong and bitter | Flat and watery |
The difference in level of caffeine
The biggest difference between regular coffee and decaf coffee is the level of caffeine. Caffeine content varies from one coffee bean to the other. Robusta beans contain twice the amount of caffeine compared to Arabica beans. Decaf coffee is not always entirely caffeine-free. In a 6 oz cup of decaf coffee, the caffeine content is almost 0 to 7 mg. On the other hand, regular coffee measures almost 70 mg to 140 mg of caffeine per 6 oz.
The difference in the level of acidity
As per the level of acidity, decaf coffee is more acidic as compared to regular coffee.
- Robusta coffee is the type of bean that is especially known for offering a delicious cup of decaf coffee.
- Robusta beans have high levels of caffeine content as compared to other types of coffee beans.
Acidity is also measured as per the PH level. PH at a level higher than seven means that acidity level is less, while PH level lower than 7 means a higher level in acidity. If the acidity level is 7, it means it is neutral in nature. Decaf coffee stands at PH level 5 to 5.1 PH level. Regular coffee made from Robusta beans measures at almost 5.0 PH level, while Arabica measures lower than that.
Level of antioxidant
There is also a notable difference in terms of antioxidants between regular coffee and decaf coffee. No matter if the coffee contains caffeine or not, it is highly loaded with lots of active biological elements.
Polyphenols and hydroxycinnamic acids are the main types of antioxidants that are found in both types of coffee. These coffee types are responsible for lowering the risk of heart disease as well as type II diabetes.
Ferulic acid is a type of antioxidant that can help us in preventing oxidative damage to our bodies. It is also helpful in reading inflammation in the brain. Thus, drinking coffee can be helpful in reading risks related to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
In terms of the antioxidant content, decaf coffee contains 15% fewer antioxidants as compared to regular coffee. The main reason for the loss of antioxidants in the process of decaffeination in which caffeine is lost in the process.
Difference in taste
There is also a difference in taste between regular coffee and decaf coffee. The decaffeination process is done on the green coffee beans to remove the caffeine content. But, the problem is that decaf coffee can affect the flavor and aroma of the coffee. To put it in simpler words, it can be said that decaf coffee tastes flatter or weaker than regular coffee due to the absence of caffeine and other chemicals that get lost in the process of decaffeination.
If you want to have a coffee for stimulating effects, try to drink a cup of regular coffee. But, if you want to enjoy a coffee after dinner or before going to bed, you can try to have decaf.
So, before you choose the type of coffee, make sure to know details about the difference between both these types of coffee.
