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Original poster

Decaf tea or coffee alternatives

18 replies

user1471526265 · 01/08/2024 15:40

Very silly question really, but I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I should order in coffee shops!!!

I'm mainly an Americano drinker in the likes of Costa etc as their tea isn't great. Now I've gone decaf due to sleep issues (thanks perimenopause) and I find I get the jitters from their decaf. In other cafés I find the decaf isn't great tasting either, discovering one place was charging almost a fiver for instant!

Anyway, I'm meeting a friend for coffee tomorrow (in Costa as it happens) and have no idea what to order.

I'm also watching my weight so don't really want to order anything loaded in sugar or cream etc.

So, does anyone have any recommendations? Would a decaf skinny latte get an eye roll? I've actually never even had a latte. I'm not a big fan of milky stuff either normally 🤣

OP posts:
SossijRoll · 01/08/2024 15:48

Costa do lots of coolers type drinks, lemonade, watermelon and mint etc. They also do frappes without the coffee and you don’t have to have the cream. I order skinny versions as I dont like milk.

PickAChew · 01/08/2024 15:54

I just order herbal tea. It usually ends up being peppermint though I prefer chamomile but not many places offer that.

Original poster
user1471526265 · 01/08/2024 15:58

Wait, you can get a frappe without the coffee? Or do you mean a decaf version? I guess in this heat a cool drink would be a good option anyway.

I honestly feel quite clueless when it comes to these things. Always stuck with my mug of Joe!!!!

OP posts:

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notacooldad · 01/08/2024 16:01

Just have look on the board when you get there. There's loads of nice low calorie drinks and it will have a calorie count.
Seriously don't over think it!

Original poster
user1471526265 · 01/08/2024 16:01

Herbal might work too. I would have to see what they have. I drink a pukka turmeric tea in the morning and a sleep tea in the evening as it is. Think it's chamomile and blackberry or something.

OP posts:
cupcaske123 · 01/08/2024 16:03

They do herbal tea.

www.costa.co.uk/menu

Original poster
user1471526265 · 01/08/2024 16:04

notacooldad · 01/08/2024 16:01

Just have look on the board when you get there. There's loads of nice low calorie drinks and it will have a calorie count.
Seriously don't over think it!

Haha, yes I do overthink these little things. I have longterm health issues so rarely even leave the house, so I like to feel like I'm getting a bit of a treat when I do go out. But it will be nice to meet my friend anyway, even if I don't particularly like the drink I end up with!

OP posts:
SossijRoll · 01/08/2024 16:05

Download the app. You’ll also get a point for every drink you buy. Then you can workout what to have. Yeah not all their frappes have coffee.

notacooldad · 01/08/2024 16:07

It's great to have a catch up but I'm sure you'll find something you like. Dont worry that your spending ages looking at the board trying to decide, they are used to it!

macshoto · 01/08/2024 16:07

Not really answering your question...

Try and avoid the chain coffee shops. Generally the decaf is better at the (slightly->very) hipster independents. Best are the cafes that have separate grinders for decaf and caffeinated beans - probably from independent roasters.

Harris & Hoole is one of the best of the chains (albeit a small one).

Decaf since 2013... best I have found for home use is Rave's Swiss Water Method decaf beans which I buy by the 1kg bag (and store in the freezer)

Original poster
user1471526265 · 01/08/2024 16:14

macshoto · 01/08/2024 16:07

Not really answering your question...

Try and avoid the chain coffee shops. Generally the decaf is better at the (slightly->very) hipster independents. Best are the cafes that have separate grinders for decaf and caffeinated beans - probably from independent roasters.

Harris & Hoole is one of the best of the chains (albeit a small one).

Decaf since 2013... best I have found for home use is Rave's Swiss Water Method decaf beans which I buy by the 1kg bag (and store in the freezer)

Oooh, thanks for the recommendation. I have been using Illy decaf at home, but don't currently have grinder but it is on my wish list.

I'm in Ireland so don't think we have the chain you recommend but there is a lovely place in the nearest city where you can buy beans to bring home. We basically have costa, insomnia (which I'm not sure if you have in the UK) and a couple of local cafes in my nearest town. The Costa is better here as it has more space.

OP posts:
redteapot · 01/08/2024 16:34

There wouldn't be any eye rolling if you ordered a decaf latte / decaf cappuccino, etc. I go to our local Costa quite regularly and there are always plenty of decaf orders 👍
The lattes at Costa do seem to be milkier than other places (I know they're meant to be, given the name!). Perhaps a decaf flat white?

Original poster
user1471526265 · 01/08/2024 16:39

Does a flat white have more coffee to milk as opposed to the lattes? I think it's just the actual reaction I seem to have to the Costa decaf is my issue so I might be better off avoiding any coffee drink altogether. Or suggesting to my friend that we meet elsewhere 😂

OP posts:
DilemmaDelilah · 01/08/2024 20:16

I sometimes get coffee from the usual coffee shops - the big chains, and from the coffee shops at my local hospital as I am there a LOT. I can't have caffeine for medical reasons and I always order a decaff latte, which I really enjoy and which doesn't give me any bad effects. However we're all different.

At home we have a Tassimo Suny coffee machine. I order cafe Hag decaffeinated pods for myself, they are the ones I prefer the taste of, and Kenco decaffeinated for DH as those are the ones he prefers.

When the only option is instant decaffeinated coffee (yes Asda I am looking at you) which is very often the only decaffeinated option then I choose peppermint tea.

BrendaSmall · 08/11/2024 21:47

redteapot · 01/08/2024 16:34

There wouldn't be any eye rolling if you ordered a decaf latte / decaf cappuccino, etc. I go to our local Costa quite regularly and there are always plenty of decaf orders 👍
The lattes at Costa do seem to be milkier than other places (I know they're meant to be, given the name!). Perhaps a decaf flat white?

The only decaf option at the local costa I’ve been to is filter coffee, no option of a latte or anything else!

I will only drink coke when I’m out, as yet to find a nice decaf coffee anywhere

DilemmaDelilah · 09/11/2024 07:43

@BrendaSmall coca cola contains caffeine, at least the ordinary coke does, so maybe change to something else?

BrendaSmall · 09/11/2024 16:55

DilemmaDelilah · 09/11/2024 07:43

@BrendaSmall coca cola contains caffeine, at least the ordinary coke does, so maybe change to something else?

Zero is caffeine free

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