Coffee is an enduring beverage, providing many with their morning fix or afternoon boost. But how your favorite cup is prepared may expose you to potentially hazardous chemicals. According to a report by The Clean Label Project – an advocacy nonprofit advocating for food label transparency – some decaf brands have used toxic chemical solvents such as methylene chloride and ethyl acetate during production processes for decaf products.

Chemical solvents such as acetate and methylene chloride are typically employed to extract caffeine from coffee beans, prior to being steamed or boiled again. Although high doses of these chemical compounds could potentially harm health, FDA regulations dictate how much can remain on each bean. Other methods exist which don’t use toxic chemicals like the water-processed and Swiss Water process which have become more prevalent, making some of our best-tasting decaf brands.

Coffee decaffeination methods in the industry generally fall into three main categories: solvent-based (using methylene chloride and ethyl Acetate); carbon dioxide-based (utilizing liquid CO2); and water-based Swiss Water method – although most companies that make their own decaf use this latter option which can be more costly. Most coffee producers who produce their own decaf employ solvent-based decaffeination, though there may be less sustainable options.

Decaf coffee contains the main component, Methylene Chloride (MCH). This colorless volatile liquid chlorinated hydrocarbon compound, commonly used as paint thinner, may lead to symptoms including drowsiness, dizziness and headaches when inhaled and can even lead to further health complications when taken for longer periods of time. Furthermore, its carcinogenicity has been linked with liver disorders, kidney dysfunctions as well as various cancers.

Although most decaf coffee is made using this chemical, the FDA allows less than 0.001% to remain on beans brewed from decaffeinated beans. While most people will likely not notice, registered dietitian Miranda Galati recommends looking for solvent-free or Swiss Water processed decaf to ensure your cup of java doesn’t contain any unwanted chemicals.

Our testers evaluated these decaf coffee brands according to their flavor profile, aroma and aftertaste as well as how close they came to resembling caffeinated coffee in terms of taste:

Peace’s Morning Glory Blend was our top pick for best tasting decaf, boasting an aromatic, smooth and fruity profile with notes of milk chocolate and praline, boasting full body and velvety finish qualities that impressed. Peet’s Big Bang blend stood out with its roasted nutty taste and cocoa powder and caramel notes; perfect for cold brew.