Coffee is one of the world’s favorite beverages, offering us an energy boost that helps to keep our minds sharp. But for those seeking alternatives to caffeine-filled coffee beverages — like decaf coffee — there are numerous alternatives – but is this option halal?

Answering this question depends on how the beans were decaffeinated. There are various techniques for decaffeination of coffee beans; two popular techniques are Swiss Water Process and Carbon Dioxide Process. Both involve soaking coffee beans in water prior to roasting in order to preserve flavor while softening them enough for caffeine removal to occur easily. Unfortunately, the use of solvent chemicals like Methylene Chloride used in paint strippers, nail polish removers and degreasers has caused controversy surrounding decaf coffee; research suggests it may cause mild carcinogenicity at higher doses.

Decaffeinating coffee without using solvents has become increasingly popular as a healthier solution. One such process, liquid carbon dioxide decafination, involves placing coffee beans in a chamber filled with liquid carbon dioxide that binds with caffeine molecules before being removed under high pressure and leaving behind decaffeinated beans.

The best decaf coffee is certified kosher by the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of British Columbia, meaning that it meets Jewish law standards. This does not indicate organic or pesticide-free farming methods nor guarantee low mycotoxin levels or that the coffee is caffeine-free.