Hearthfield coffee guides
What Is Swiss Water Decaf?
How the Swiss Water Process removes caffeine with water instead of chemical solvents, and what it means for our Peru Swiss Water Decaf.
Quick answer: Swiss Water decaf is coffee decaffeinated with the Swiss Water® Process, a method that uses water, time, temperature and carbon filtration, rather than added chemical solvents, to remove caffeine from green coffee before it's roasted. Our Peru Swiss Water Decaf is made this way.
How the Swiss Water Process works
The process is run by Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee in Canada. In simple terms, according to the company:
- The green beans are cleaned and hydrated with water to prepare them for caffeine removal.
- The beans meet Green Coffee Extract (GCE). GCE is water that's already saturated with the soluble flavor compounds found in green coffee, but without the caffeine. Because the extract is already full of those flavor compounds, mostly caffeine moves out of the beans and into the extract.
- Carbon filters capture the caffeine from the extract, so the extract can be used again.
- The cycle repeats over many hours until the beans reach the target caffeine level.
- The beans are dried and sent on to be roasted.
All of this happens before roasting, so a roaster receives green coffee that's already decaffeinated. You can read the provider's own explanation at Swiss Water: the decaffeination process.
Swiss Water vs. other decaf methods
| Method | What removes the caffeine | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss Water Process | Water, Green Coffee Extract and carbon filtration | No added chemical solvents; a named, proprietary process |
| Other water processes | Water-based extraction and filtration | Similar principle under different names, such as Mountain Water Process |
| CO₂ process | Pressurized carbon dioxide | Often used for larger volumes |
| Ethyl acetate ("sugarcane" process) | Ethyl acetate solvent | Sometimes called "natural" decaf because ethyl acetate can be made from sugarcane |
| Methylene chloride | Methylene chloride solvent | A traditional solvent method |
Why we use the name only where it applies
Our Peru Swiss Water Decaf specifically lists the Swiss Water Process, which is why we use the name for this coffee. Our Half Caff Coffee blend and Decaf Espresso Beans are described with the broader term water-process decaf, so we don't call them Swiss Water. When you see a process named on a Hearthfield bag, it's because the coffee's specification says so.
Does Swiss Water decaf have caffeine?
Yes, a small amount. Decaf is not caffeine-free, whatever the method. As a general reference, the FDA lists decaf coffee at typically 2–15 mg per 8 fl oz (source). That's a general range, not a measurement of our coffee; your recipe and cup size change the amount in your mug.
Does Swiss Water decaf taste different?
The process tells you how the caffeine was removed. The origin, roast and freshness tell you more about how the cup will taste. Our Peru Swiss Water Decaf is a medium roast from Piura and Amazonas, Peru, grown by members of the Norandino Cooperative, with caramel, smooth and citrus tasting notes. Those tasting notes describe the coffee's flavor profile; nothing is added.
How to brew Swiss Water decaf
Brew it exactly as you would any coffee. Some decafs extract a little differently than regular coffee, so taste and adjust:
- Drip or pour-over: choose Standard and start at 20 g coffee to 320 g water.
- French press: choose Coarse, use about 30 g to 450 g water, and steep around 4 minutes.
- Grinding at home: choose Whole Bean and grind just before brewing.
Our coffee grind size guide covers every brewer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Swiss Water decaf chemical-free?
The Swiss Water Process removes caffeine without added chemical solvents, using water and carbon filtration instead.
Is Swiss Water decaf caffeine-free?
No. Like all decaf, it contains a small amount of caffeine.
Is Swiss Water decaf organic?
The decaf process and organic certification are separate things. Check the specific product's description for certifications.
Can I use Swiss Water decaf for espresso?
Yes, though for espresso we roast a dedicated dark-roast decaf: Decaf Espresso Beans. Read our decaf espresso guide to compare them.
Try it
Choose your size and grind on the Peru Swiss Water Decaf page, or browse all decaf coffee. It's roasted to order and US shipping is included.