When it comes to your favorite beverage, I know how easy it is to drink a bit more than what’s good for you.
So now you’ve decided to look into the best options for half-caff coffee and you want to know if there is a decent choice of K-cups in that category.
How about the pre-ground coffee packages? Are there good ones with half the caffeine content, that would also maintain a satisfying flavor?
Is there a low-acid option?
If you have a high-paced life and you need coffee to keep you alert, adequate, and productive throughout the day, I feel you.
But too much alertness isn’t a good thing.
To avoid caffeine jitters and increased anxiety levels it might be a good idea to try lowering your caffeine intake.
This is when half caffeinated coffee may come into use
It is actually the one made with a blend of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee beans.
So you will still get some caffeine, but the amount per cup will be cut in half.
After I took my time to do research on all the things you might need to know in relation to this matter, I managed to answer some burning questions.
For example, which is the best tasting half-caff according to your personal preference?
Is a coffee cup made through the use of such products enough to wake you up without making you hyperactive?
Let’s get directly to the point.
If you are in a hurry you can check the quick overview table with all of the half-caff coffee products I reviewed below:
| Brand: | Type: | Price bracket: |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Green Mountain | K-Cup | $$ |
| 2. Maud’s | K-Cup | $ |
| 3. Folgers | K-Cup | $$$ |
| 4. Fresh Roasted | K-Cup | $ |
| 5.Skinnygirl | K-Cup | $$ |
| 6. Community Coffee | Pre-ground Package | $$ |
| 7. Stone Street | Pre-ground Package | $$$ |
| 8. Eight O’Clock | Pre-ground Package | $$ |
| 9. PUROAST Low Acid | Pre-ground Package | $$$ |
| 10. Maxwell’s | Pre-ground Package | $ | 11. Folgers Preground | Pre-ground Package | $ |
What Are the Best Half-Caff K-Cup Coffee Pods?
I’m assuming that if you have a Keurig coffee maker you’d love the convenience of a quick cup of half-caff coffee.
Having this single-serve machine means you can make your favorite beverage in no time.
That’s why it’s easy to slip and overdose on caffeine.
Here is when half-caff K-cups come into use.
Even though there isn’t a massive variety of them, there are a few that will give you a satisfying cup.
Here are the best half-caff K-cups:
1. Green Mountain – for a smooth and tasteful awakening
Click here to see the current price and more photos on Amazon.
Green mountain capsules produce great half-caff capsules for Keurig machines.
They consist of medium roast 100% Arabica coffee beans and are surprisingly flavorful.
With the Green Mountain half-caff coffee capsules, you will end up with a well-balanced cup of Joe that won’t disappoint you when it comes to taste and aroma.
There won’t be any bitterness and it’s good for those of you with stomach issues, as it seems that Green Mountain produces a less acidic cup.
In my experience, this capsule will pick you up and energize you smoothly – no heart racing.
If you pick this brand you could get a higher quantity at a better price per count and you won’t have to bother restocking for a longer period of time.
It’s not easy to find a good half-caff coffee, but I highly recommend trying this one out.
Chances are it will become your go-to.
2. Maud’s half caff – surprisingly budget-friendly
Click here to see the current price and more photos on Amazon.
Maud’s capsules are filled with 100% Arabica medium roast ground coffee beans.
I’m always trying to find an eco-friendly version of the product I use.
When it comes to coffee capsules, you know how many of them we throw into the trash bin each week.
One of the best things about Maud’s pods is that they are recyclable – made of #5 polypropylene plastics and an easy-to-remove lid.
The brand gives you the opportunity to put in a tiny bit of effort and recycle.
These half-caff k-cups could not only reduce your negative impact on the environment but could also spare you some money.
They come at a pretty good price per pod, which in my personal opinion, is a huge advantage for this type of product.
When it comes to taste, Maud’s capsules, compared to others, have a more pronounced robust flavor.
If you’re trying to cut down on caffeine, but you feel like all decaf or half-caff pods you’ve tried taste dull, try Mauds.
I’m pretty sure you will end up loving it.
Apart from that, I was also attracted by the fact that Maud’s is a family-owned company, named after the founder’s daughters.
The customer support team is always willing to help if you have any sort of issues with the capsules.
If I were you, I wouldn’t hesitate to try them out.
Related Post: Best Compostable K-Cups.
3. Folgers – for those who love a more robust flavor
Click here to see the current price and more photos on Amazon.
Folgers half-caffeinated capsules are a great alternative to regular coffee if you’re trying to cut back on caffeine.
The coffee beans inside the pod are of medium-roast.
If you choose to go ahead and try them out you will end up with a nice smooth-tasting coffee.
Most people won’t be able to tell it’s actually a half-caff.
It’s similar to Maud’s when it comes to flavor and taste richness, so if you’re looking for a bit more robust half-caff, Folgers K-cups will suit you as one of the best options.
4. Fresh Roasted Half Caff Coffee K-Cups – a rich coffee experience
Click here to see the current price and more photos on Amazon.
These half-caff capsules are made of a mixture of high-quality organic Sumatra coffee beans and Sumatra decaf coffee beans.
The decaffeination method applied is the swiss water method, which is the healthiest option, as no chemicals are used during the removal of caffeine.
The beans are, again, 100% Arabica.
As we already discussed, there aren’t many half-caff Keurig machine compatible capsules, and therefore it is even harder to find ones with a bold taste.
So it’s cool to know that these pods can give you the coffee experience you’re looking for, but half the caffeine, without making you jittery.
The coffee made with these k-cups is full-bodied and well-balanced.
It’s also worth mentioning that the company producing these half-caff capsules is USDA organic- and Fair Trade-certified.
I always tend to lean toward companies that put in a bit of extra effort in the name of sustainability. Furthermore, the beans, used in the Fresh Roasted pods, are roasted in eco-friendly machines that aim to minimize carbon footprint.
If high-quality products, delivered through responsible production processes and environmental care are your choice too, these Keurig-compatible pods are undoubtedly a great choice.
5. Skinnygirl half-caff – a mild morning drink
Click here to see the current price and more photos on Amazon.
Skinnygirl’s half-decaffeinated capsules are another good option that you can try out if you’re on the road of lowering your caffeine consumption.
It’s made with 100% Arabica medium-roasted coffee. Don’t be fooled by the brand’s name. You may associate it with weak-tasting coffee. That’s entirely not the case here. Skinnygirl’s pods produce a rich cup with satisfying flavor, but half the caffeine.
Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that they are a bit more expensive than other k-cups I mention on the list.
However the company is pretty consistent in providing good-quality pods batch after batch. On top of that, Skinnygirl capsules contain Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee.
As with other pods on the list, the ground coffee beans are free of artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners, which is also highly appreciated.
What Is the Best Half-Caffeinated Ground Coffee?
When it comes to half-caff coffee, I get the best results in taste and post-consumption overall feel, when I buy decaf and caff whole beans from my local coffee shop.
After experimenting a bit, I manage to figure out the perfect blend of decaffeinated and caffeinated beans, resulting in a satisfying cup of coffee.
If you don’t have a grinder at home, or if you just don’t feel like wasting time and effort to come up with a combination that works for you, that’s totally fine.
Here is a list of the best sealed half-caff ground coffee packages that you can purchase from your grocery store or Amazon:
1. Community Coffee Cafè Special Half Caff – premium quality, great flavor
Click here to see the current price and more photos on Amazon.
I decided to start off with the best one on the list.
Community Coffee is a brand that’s been on the market for quite some time now.
Their half-caff version of ground coffee is smooth, full-bodied, with great taste and a pleasant finish.
The good thing is that, until now, Community Coffee’s standards have always been kept high.
If you start using their half-caff product, you shouldn’t worry about any inconsistency in the taste and quality from order to order.
Their half-caff version contains an average of 50 mg per serving.
So you’ll get a full-flavored rich cup of coffee, but lower caffeine content.
Keep in mind though, that these are just approximate measurements.
The amount of caffeine a cup of Joe contains varies depending on the recipe you use, the brewing method, and other variables that influence extraction.
With that being said, pre-ground Community Coffee pre-ground is usually used to prepare coffee in a drip coffee maker.
This means that a serving’s volume varies within a range of 6 fl. oz. to 8 fl. oz. (180 to 240 ml.) and is usually prepared with 2 heaping tablespoons of ground coffee.
The Community Coffee’s Cafè Special half-caff blend is made of 100% Arabica medium roast coffee beans.
When it comes to grind size, its grind is considered an all-purpose grind. It’s perfect for drip coffee makers and percolators. It also works well with home-grade espresso machines that use a pressurized portafilter. Nevertheless, you may find the grind a bit too coarse for pour-over drippers.
If you enjoy a bolder flavor, try using the Community half-caff pre-ground beans in combination with a French press to prepare a cup of coffee. You won’t be disappointed by the results.
2. Stone Street – For a full-bodied Chemical-free cup
Click here to see the current price and more photos on Amazon.
Stone Street is another brand that offers ground coffee that’s worth mentioning as it’s among the best half-caff alternatives to regular coffee.
It is made with a blend of 50% Swiss decaffeinated coffee beans and Arabica beans.
As I already discussed above, the Swiss method of decaffeination is definitely an advantage, as it’s chemical-free, so Stone Street immediately caught my attention.
The product is of medium roast and a medium grind.
It will produce a great full-bodied rich tasting coffee, but at the same time – a lower acid cup that won’t raise your anxiety levels.
Related Post: Why Does Coffee Make me Nauseous?
3. Eight O’Clock – tons of positive feedback
Click here to see the current price and more photos on Amazon.
When I tried this one out a while back I loved it.
It’s flavorful and will satisfy your desire for a good-enough coffee, even though it contains half the caffeine.
It is also a medium roast ground coffee.
The amount of positive feedback about this one is astonishing.
Eight O’Clock half-caff coffee isn’t bitter, it’s well-balanced, and you can definitely count on it replacing your fully caffeinated morning cup.
4. Puroast Low Acid – premium French roast that’s good for your stomach
Click here to see the current price and more photos on Amazon.
Pricewise the Puroast coffee is is on the higher end, but it’s good for your stomach.
If you’re looking for a flavorful high-quality half-caff that doesn’t cause acid reflux, this Puroast is your best bet.
This is the best low acid half-caff coffee that you can find preground.
Most of the other mentioned options on the list are of a medium roast.
Pureroast Low Acid is the first one with a French roast version.
So if you’re into dark roast’s strong flavors, you would enjoy this coffee.
5. Maxwell’s – a budget-friendly alternative
Click here to see the current price and more photos on Amazon.
The best thing about Maxwell’s is that their half-caff is a ground coffee that comes at a lower, more than reasonable price.
The flavor of the coffee you end up with is mellow and pleasant.
Maxwell’s will help you lower caffeine intake while you enjoy a well-balanced beverage.
Some acid-sensitive consumers say this coffee doesn’t bother their stomach, which is another thing that shouldn’t be left out of this review.
Having said all of that about Maxwell’s, I would definitely recommend that you give it a try if you’re into more mellow coffee beverages that won’t make your heart race.
6. Folgers – another one for those on a tight budget
Click here to see the current price and more photos on Amazon.
Folgers half-caff not only has a decent taste but also comes at a great price.
With this 50% decaff ground blend you will find yourself lowering your caffeine intake without even realizing you’re not having the full caff.
To be honest Folgers and Maxwell’s aren’t my top choice, just because I’ve felt some inconsistency in the taste from one order to the next, but it might just be my luck…
A lot of people I know swear by Folgers half-caff and it’s basically their go-to coffee.
Low price, satisfying taste, what’s not to like?
This would be the best ground coffee choice if you want to try out the half-caff experience on a tight budget.
How Much Caffeine Do They Contain?
Here is how much caffeine there is in a half-caff k-cup:
Generally an 8-ounce cup of drip coffee, prepared with a half-caff k-cup, contains 52 mg of caffeine. In comparison, a standard k-cup’s caffeine content is 112.5 on average.
Having said that, based on all the articles and studies I’ve read during my research, and going over a ton of contradicting information, I managed to come to the aforementioned conclusion.
If you want to learn more, you can check out one of my other WokeLark posts and see which coffee has the most caffeine (click the link to visit).
Needless to say, the caffeine content in a serving of half-caff is significantly lower and will definitely make a difference in your daily intake.
Of course, having this type of blend doesn’t mean that you can go overboard with the amount you drink per day.
The caffeine intake for a healthy person shouldn’t go over 400 mg.
But for some of you with a higher level of sensitivity towards caffeine and certain health conditions, 400 mg might be way too much.
A friend of mine has been told by his cardiologist to have no more than one cup of coffee per day. With a half-caff, he gets to have two. His cardiologist approves.
I don’t have high blood pressure, but sometimes my anxiety takes over and it’s a bit hard to get through the overwhelming thoughts and feelings.
Over time I realized that coffee consumption makes me even more anxious at such times. This is when I replace my coffee blend with half-caff or even better – matcha.
If you want to find out what are the differences between coffee and matcha and why matcha green tea consumption hasn’t been linked to increased anxiety levels, visit this article.
Matcha works perfectly fine for me as with it I don’t get caffeine withdrawal symptoms, and still better manage my mental state.
If you have such struggles, based on my experience, this slight adjustment to your coffee routine will be beneficial to you.
Will It Be Sufficient to Wake You up in the Morning?
To understand whether half-caff coffee will be enough to wake you up, you should get an idea of how caffeine works.
This means that if you consume 100 mg of caffeine in the morning in 5 hours you will still have 50 mg of caffeine left in your system.
You will feel its peak effects in 15 to 40 minutes after you’ve consumed your cup of coffee.
This is the point at which we get fully energized and we might get a bit jittery.
Related Post: Why Doesn’t Coffee Wake me Up – Reasons and Tips
If you drink half-caff coffee the feeling you get at its peak will be slightly softer than the one you get with full caff.
I wouldn’t call it a caffeine “kick” but more of a ”gentle push”.
In my experience – half-caff does wake me up but in a softer way. By consuming it instead of regular coffee, I’m not as alert as I usually get.
I still feel adequate and productive and, as I already mentioned – there aren’t any caffeine withdrawal headaches.
Still, caffeine metabolism varies in different organisms, so you might metabolize coffee much faster or slower than me.
According to the article I linked to earlier caffeine half-life can range between 1.5 and 9.5 hours.
The peak point could even occur up to 2 hours after you’ve had your coffee.
The way coffee works on you depend on your health condition and other factors, such as smoking, pregnancy, whether you take certain medicines such as contraceptives, and even if you’ve eaten a solid breakfast before your morning cup.
You can learn more in my post on how long caffeine lasts.
As I already mentioned, based on my experience, half-caff works perfectly fine to wake me up in the morning.
But if you’ve been a coffee lover for quite some time and you’re rather addicted to the feeling full-caffeinated coffee gives you – you would need some time to get used to the smoother awakening.
Conclusion
Even though I love having coffee, I realize it isn’t good to have too much of it.
Half-caffeinated coffee is a perfect way to reduce your caffeine intake.
There are great options when it comes to this type of blend.
Even if you continue drinking your fully-caffeinated morning cup, by substituting your afternoon follow-up one with some of the above-mentioned recommended products, among other benefits, you could also improve your sleep.
If you have a Keurig machine, I hope that in this article you got to find the half-caff version of a K-cup that best suits your taste and needs.
If you have any questions or recommendations, feel free to leave me a comment below. I’d love you to share your thoughts!