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The Rise of Quality Decaf
Oddkin Roastery, based in Bristol, is setting out to overturn the notion that Decaf is a lacklustre alternative to the “real thing.”
Using a carefully selected sugarcane decaffeination process and only sourcing beans of specialty-grade quality, Oddkin’s has some big ambitions to bring flavour and complexity to every cup and proving that decaf can be just as satisfying as its caffeinated counterpart.
We caught up with the Founder, Joe Phillips, to learn more about the roastery and their take on decaffeinated coffee.
Oddkin’s Decaf Philosophy: Quality Without Compromise
At Oddkins only specialty-grade beans, scoring over 81 on the quality scale, make the cut. Sourcing high-quality beans is fundamental to creating decaf coffee that delights rather than disappoints. Oddkin’s is meticulous about the beans it selects.
“We want every batch to showcase what decaf is capable of,” says Joe, Oddkins’ founder, “and that starts with choosing beans we’re genuinely excited about.”
When picking the decaffeination process, they favour a unique sugarcane decaffeination method, a process originating in Colombia, which is known for preserving the coffee’s natural sweetness and complexity.
Crafting the Perfect Decaf Roast
Oddkin’s approach to decaf roasting with the same care and attention it gives to its regular offerings, aiming to bring out the natural qualities of each bean.
Rather than resorting to dark roasting, which Joe says can mask imperfections, Oddkin’s roasts its decaf to a medium level. This allows the beans’ inherent flavours to shine through, preserving the unique character of each origin.
Another distinctive step in Oddkins’ process is the resting period. Each batch of coffee is allowed to rest before being packaged, ensuring the beans are at their peak flavour when they reach the customer.
This level of patience and detail is rare in the decaf market, where we see high street brands prioritising speed and volume. By resting the beans, the customers receive a decaf coffee that’s ready to brew and enjoy immediately.
To maintain consistency in the roast, Oddkin’s combines traditional roasting methods with modern technology. Using a manual roaster (basically a giant bunson burner with a more flame/ less flame lever) equipped with Cropster which is a piece of monitoring software for track temperature and time with precision.
It’s a careful balance of tradition and tech that allows Jess, Oddkin’s head roaster to follow her specific flavour curve and manually fine-tune each roast.
Oddkins’ Unique Decaf Lineup
Oddkins has created a decaf selection that caters to a variety of tastes, thoughtfully designed to offer something for everyone.
The Core Range
At the heart of Oddkins’ decaf selection are three mainstays, each developed to highlight the versatility of decaf.
The classic decaf is crafted with smooth, familiar notes that appeal to those seeking a traditional coffee experience, while the second option—a super-sweet decaf—draws on the sugarcane process to deliver a richer, naturally sweet flavour.
The third in the range is a rotating seasonal decaf, bringing an element of novelty for adventurous drinkers who enjoy unique flavours.
Limited Edition runs
Oddkin’s takes decaf innovation further with periodic limited-edition releases, such as the current passion fruit-fermented decaf, which offers a distinct, fruity profile.
This seasonal approach to decaf allows Oddkin’s to showcase the diverse flavour potential within the category, and have some fun at the same time.
The Half-Caff – “Slomo” Blend
For those of us looking to moderate their caffeine intake without cutting it out entirely, Oddkins has created the “Slomo”—a half-caff blend that combines regular and decaffeinated beans from the Popayán region in Colombia.
The same bean, but half of them have been decaffeinated.
They are then roasted separately and blended at a 50/50 ratio, offering a balanced option with all the flavour and half the caffeine.
Shifting Perspectives on Decaf Coffee
As more people become interested in mindful consumption, decaf coffee is slowly shedding its old reputation as a lesser choice.
Oddkin’s has observed a notable increase in interest in high-quality decaf, a shift that mirrors trends in other beverage industries, like the growing popularity of non-alcoholic options.
Joe, the founder of Oddkins, likens this movement to the shift towards non-alcoholic beers, where quality and taste have increasingly become a focus.
He is tapping into this momentum by investing in the decaf range, putting as much care into sourcing and roasting decaf as it does with its other coffees. The roastery has seen firsthand how customers’ attitudes are changing, with decaf becoming a choice for taste rather than necessity.
More people are turning to decaf as a way to enjoy coffee throughout the day, either to reduce their caffeine intake or simply to savour the coffee experience without the buzz.
Despite its growing popularity, decaf still faces misconceptions. Many people assume that decaf lacks flavour or that it’s only for those who can’t handle caffeine.
Oddkin’s aims to change this narrative by offering decaf options that are among the most flavourful coffees on the market.
How to Choose a Quality Decaf: Tips from Oddkins
Joe offers a few key pointers on what to look out for when shopping for decaf beans.
1) Look for Specialty-Grade Beans
As with all coffee, quality starts with the beans. Specialty-grade coffee, which scores 81 or above, ensures that the beans have been cultivated, harvested, and processed to meet rigorous standards.
Oddkins exclusively uses specialty-grade beans for its decaf offerings, which gives each cup a depth and complexity that lower-grade beans often lack.
2) Check for a Roasted-On Date
Freshness is essential to a great cup of coffee, decaf included. Joe recommends looking for a roasted-on date on any bag of coffee, which shows how recently it was roasted.
Fresher beans retain their natural flavours, so knowing when they were roasted gives consumers confidence in the quality and potential taste of their coffee.
3) Seek Out the Sugarcane Decaf Process
One of the standout elements in Oddkins’ decaf production is its reliance on the sugarcane decaf process, a method that is especially suited to maintaining the beans’ natural sweetness.
It’s Joe’s experience that this process, which is only done in Colombia, consistently produces a smooth, full-bodied decaf that surpasses other methods in flavour and aroma. And they’ve tried plenty of side-by-side’s in their research and developement.
For Oddkin’s, the sugarcane process has been a “game-changer”, and they recommend it to anyone looking for a more enjoyable decaf experience.
Why Decaf Should Be on Every Coffee Lover’s Radar
Oddkin’s is committed to making decaf a staple option for coffee drinkers of all kinds. As Joe notes, decaf drinkers often enjoy coffee as much for its taste as for its effects.
The choice to go decaf is becoming increasingly common as people look to enjoy coffee throughout the day without the worry of caffeine affecting their sleep or energy levels.
With options like Oddkins’ decaf, coffee lovers don’t have to compromise on flavour. From the classic decaf to seasonal offerings and the inventive SloMo half-caff blend, Oddkin Roastery is proving that decaf can be both delicious and varied.
Each cup offers a unique experience, inviting drinkers to explore coffee’s complexity from a fresh perspective.
Oddkins on Decaffeinate
Oddkin’s Roastery is part of the movement to redefined what it means to enjoy decaf coffee. Through careful sourcing, innovative processing, and a genuine commitment to flavour, they’ve created a decaf lineup that celebrates every sip.
Decaf is no longer just a substitute; it’s an experience in itself, a choice for those who appreciate coffee’s full spectrum of tastes. That’s what we are all about at Decaffeinate.
For those yet to try decaf, Oddkin’s invites you to explore its range and taste the difference that specialty-grade decaf can make. With the right beans and the right process, decaf coffee can offer everything you love about coffee, minus the caffeine.
If you want to hear more from Joe, the founder of Oddkin’s, we’ve got a founders article on him here.