How We Lab Test Our Coffee For Caffeine

Person in a lab coat and gloves operating laboratory equipment to test caffeine content.

Lab tested, not estimated

Most coffee described as "low caf" is never actually tested for caffeine. It is sold on the reputation of a variety and the customer is asked to take it on trust.

We do it differently. Every low caf coffee we sell is lab tested for its caffeine content before we roast it, so the figure on the website is a measured result, not an estimate.

Why naturally low caffeine coffee needs testing

Decaf is straightforward - the caffeine is removed by a rigourous process until almost none remains. In terms of caffeine, one decaf is much like another.

Naturally low caffeine coffee is different. Varieties like Laurina, Aramosa and Excelsa contain less caffeine because of the plants genetics, not because of any additional processing. But caffeine content varies from variety to variety and from farm to farm. It can be as low as 0.4% and as high as 1.0% - the only way to know the true level in a given coffee is to test it.

That is why we test. Without testing, "naturally low caffeine" is just a claim. Testing is both proof and a useful number for the caffeine conscious coffee drinker.

How We Test

We test the raw, unroasted ("green") coffee for caffeine content before it is roasted. Testing is carried out using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) - a widely used analytical technique for separating and measuring individual compounds in food and drink.

The result is expressed as caffeine by weight, as a percentage. For reference:

  • Most regular arabica coffee contains roughly 1.4% to 1.6% caffeine.
  • Our Explorer low caf coffees typically test between 0.6% and 1.0% - around half the caffeine of a normal cup.
  • Our Rarities (ultra-low) coffees typically test between 0.4% and 0.6%

What this looks like in practice

Each coffee carries its own tested figure. As an example, two of our current subscription coffees:

  • Lo Caf Indonesia Supriyanto (Explorer) - 0.94% caffeine
  • Lo Caf Brazil Daterra TB13 (Rarities) - 0.52% caffeine

These are the measured results for those specific lots. With this information you can use our caffeine calculator to estimate the amount of caffeine in your cup.

Person using a coffee brewing device with a ceramic mug on a wooden surface.

Why we bother

We think people who are mindful of their caffeine deserve to know what they are actually drinking. Whether you are cutting back for sleep, sensitivity or your own reasons, a measured figure lets you make an informed choice. We think that is low caf done properly.