The Rise of Low-Caffeine Coffee Culture

The Trend: As the holidays approach and the weather turns colder, you might find yourself craving a warm drink in the afternoon. Maybe it’s at a café with friends, or at home on the couch by the fireplace. The only problem is that you don’t want caffeine. Well, you’re in luck because low- and no-caffeine options are now easier to find, both in coffee shops and on store shelves (like this brand we covered in September), thanks to a broader focus on health and wellness, especially sleep. 

What People Are Saying: Health experts have long noted that caffeine tolerance varies widely. For some people, cutting back makes it easier to sleep well or manage anxiety. So coffee lovers are now looking for ways to keep the ritual without feeling overstimulated or wide awake at bedtime. And coffee companies are responding by investing in better-tasting decaf beans and improving brewing methods. STōK Cold Brew, for example, launched a ready-to-drink decaffeinated product in late 2024.

What to Know: Caffeine is not going anywhere. The FDA still considers up to 400 milligrams per day safe for most healthy adults. So coffee shop owners, drink brands, and consumers are trying to balance morning coffee with other beverages throughout the day.