Who is this for?

The right pack depends on how you will brew the coffee and whether you are sharing drinks privately or selling them.

Occasional refreshment hosts

If you are making a limited number of drinks, look for ground decaf labelled for your cafetière, filter cone or filter machine. Check the maker’s dosing directions before preparing a batch.

Hosts offering a decaf choice

Guests who prefer to reduce caffeine need an accurate description of the drink. Keep the pack to hand for product-specific information, and do not describe decaf as caffeine-free without support for that exact coffee.

People selling refreshments

If your stall operates as a food business, check registration and allergen-information requirements as well as the organiser’s rules. The Food Standards Agency’s guidance applies to food businesses; whether a particular occasional activity falls within that scope needs checking with the local authority.

What to check before buying

Settle on a workable brewing and serving setup, then compare the pack information against it.

Priority What to check Your needs
Brew method Check that the exact coffee lists your cafetière, filter cone, filter machine or other equipment. Follow its preparation directions; Rombouts suggests 60g per litre as a starting point for its ground decaf. I need a method I can run with the hot water, equipment, cleaning facilities and grounds disposal available at the sale.
Caffeine description Check the exact product before making a numerical caffeine claim. illy states that its 250g decaffeinated ground coffee contains no more than 0.1% caffeine; decaf alone does not mean caffeine-free. I want to offer a decaf option without giving guests an inaccurate description of its caffeine content.
Pack quantity Match the pack size to the number of drinks you expect to prepare and check the maker’s storage directions after opening. For a one-off event, I would rather choose a quantity I can store and use than open more coffee than I need.
Served-drink information Account for milk, alternative drinks, syrups and other additions. The Food Standards Agency says food businesses must provide allergen information for both prepacked and non-prepacked food and drink. If I sell prepared drinks, I need to know what goes into each option and how I will communicate its allergen information.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Calling every decaf coffee caffeine-free

    Decaffeination does not necessarily remove all caffeine. Guests may rely on the wording you use when choosing a drink.

    Describe the drink as decaf, keep its original pack for reference and state a numerical limit only when it applies to that exact product.

  • Buying coffee before planning the brewing setup

    Preparation directions vary by product and method. Grounds intended for a method you cannot operate at the stall may leave you without a workable serving plan.

    Choose your equipment first, then check the coffee’s listed methods and try the maker’s dosing guidance before the event.

    Allow time and space to clean the equipment and dispose of used grounds.

  • Planning the coffee but not the sale of drinks

    If the activity is a food business, registration and allergen-information duties may apply. The Food Standards Agency says registration should be completed at least 28 days before trading or food operations begin.

    Before arranging service, ask the relevant local authority whether your activity is a food business, and check the organiser’s rules for hot drinks, water and waste.

Relevant brand and retailer ranges

These product and range descriptions help narrow the preparation method or pack information to check; they do not establish which coffee a stall should serve.

Lavazza

Lavazza describes its Decaf Ground Coffee as a 250g Arabica and Robusta blend and lists moka, filter and French press preparation.

  • The listed methods give a starting point for checking it against a manual-brew setup.
  • Lavazza’s 3/10 intensity rating is its own scale, not a numerical measure of caffeine content.

illy

illy’s 250g decaffeinated ground espresso coffee is a 100% Arabica product sold in a can.

  • illy states that this product’s caffeine content is not higher than 0.1%.
  • illy advises keeping the coffee away from light and heat and preferably refrigerating it after opening; plan storage accordingly for an outdoor event.

Taylors of Harrogate

Taylors describes Decaffé as a 200g ground coffee with caramel and malt notes, made using its Pure Water Process.

  • The stated process and pack size may help when choosing a smaller quantity with a disclosed decaffeination method.
  • Check the exact pack’s brewing instructions against the equipment you intend to use.

Rombouts

Rombouts labels its 250g medium-ground decaf for cafetières, filter machines and filter cones.

  • Its suggested 60g-per-litre recipe provides a starting point for planning a batch.
  • A cafetière setup still needs safe hot-water provision, cleaning and grounds disposal.

Tesco Finest

Tesco Finest Decaffeinated Colombian Ground Coffee is a 227g dark-roast product with instructions for cafetières, filter machines, moka pots and percolators.

  • The method-specific instructions can help you check how it fits your brewing equipment.
  • Check the current pack information before relying on its formulation or preparation directions.

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s decaf coffee category lists own-label ground options, including Italian Decaf R&G 227g and Fairtrade Decaff House Blend Coffee 227g.

  • The category offers own-label ground-decaf products to consider alongside named brands.
  • Check the individual product’s preparation directions and caffeine wording rather than relying on a category listing.

Decaf ground coffee on Joybuy

This ground-decaf option comes in a 200g pack that may suit a smaller car boot sale refreshment setup. Check its brewing directions against the equipment you will take.

Taylors of Harrogate Decaf Ground Coffee 200g

Taylors of Harrogate Decaf Ground Coffee 200g

The 200g pack is an option when preparing a limited number of decaf drinks. Its product description lists 100% Arabica coffee and a water decaffeination method. Check the exact pack’s brew-method instructions against your equipment, and do not describe the drink as caffeine-free.

View on Joybuy

Common questions

Is decaf ground coffee completely caffeine-free?

No. Decaffeination does not necessarily remove all caffeine. illy states that its 250g decaffeinated ground coffee contains no more than 0.1% caffeine, but that statement applies to that product, not every decaf coffee.

How can I brew decaf coffee at a car boot sale?

If you can provide safe hot water and manage cleaning and used grounds, choose coffee explicitly labelled for your cafetière or filter setup. Rombouts lists cafetières, filter machines and filter cones and suggests starting at 60g per litre; Tesco Finest also provides cafetière instructions.

Do I need to register before selling coffee at a car boot sale?

If your activity is a food business, the Food Standards Agency says registration should be completed at least 28 days before trading or food operations start. Check with the relevant local authority whether your particular activity falls within that requirement, and ask the event organiser about its rules.

Do I need to provide allergen information for served coffee?

If you operate as a food business, the Food Standards Agency says you must provide allergen information for both prepacked and non-prepacked food and drink. Check the ingredients of the complete drink, including milk, alternative drinks, syrups or toppings, before telling customers what it contains.