January 20, 2026
January tends to change how we drink coffee.
As routines reset after the holidays, many people start looking for balance, including how much caffeine they consume. Each year, interest in decaf coffee rises through January as coffee lovers look for options that still deliver flavour, without the intensity or buzz of caffeine.
After a busy end to the year, many people start looking for a little more balance, earlier nights, calmer mornings, fewer spikes and crashes - and it’s no surprise that decaf coffee consistently trends in January, not as a compromise, but as a considered choice.
For a long time, decaf carried a reputation for being flat or flavourless. That’s no longer the case. Advances in decaffeination methods and better sourcing mean today’s decaf can offer clarity, sweetness and structure, much like any well-roasted caffeinated coffee.
More coffee drinkers are choosing decaf because they want to enjoy the ritual of coffee without the effects of caffeine. That might contribute to better sleep, less jitters, or simply the freedom to enjoy a delicious coffee later in the day.
Explore our Decaf Coffee Range →
January often brings small, realistic resets rather than dramatic overhauls. Alongside movement, sleep and food, people are paying closer attention to daily rituals, especially the ones that happen automatically.
Coffee is one of those rituals. For many, it marks the start of the day, a pause between meetings, or a moment of quiet in the afternoon. Shifting to decaf can be a simple way to keep that ritual intact, while being more intentional about caffeine intake.
From a wellness perspective, decaf offers an added benefit: it allows people to enjoy coffee’s naturally occurring polyphenols and antioxidants without the stimulating effects of caffeine, which some people find disruptive to sleep, digestion or stress and cortisol levels.
Decaf isn’t about giving something up. It’s about choosing when and how you drink coffee.
The way coffee is decaffeinated matters, not just for flavour, but for what remains in the cup.
Decaf coffee still contains many of the naturally occurring compounds found in regular coffee, including polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidants that have been widely studied for their role in supporting metabolic health and helping to reduce oxidative stress.
Research has shown that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee are associated with similar health outcomes in areas such as type 2 diabetes risk and cardiovascular health, suggesting these benefits are linked to coffee’s compounds rather than caffeine alone.[1]
Our Mountain Water Decaf uses a chemical‑free process that gently removes caffeine while helping preserve these flavour and plant compounds. The result is a clean, balanced cup with the body and sweetness you’d expect from quality coffee — without the caffeine.
Explore Expedition Decaf Single Origin Pods →
Another shift we’re seeing is demand for more transparency and traceability in decaf.
Our Decaf Single Origin Pods are designed to highlight the characteristics of their origin, just like their caffeinated counterparts. This means flavour notes, balance and consistency aren’t lost simply because the caffeine has been removed.
Decaf can still express where it comes from.
Decaf often becomes part of a more wellness‑led routine — one that prioritises consistency, balance and rest without sacrificing enjoyment.
Decaf works especially well:
As an afternoon or evening coffee
For those sensitive to caffeine
During periods of reduced caffeine intake
As a second (or third) cup of the day
For many people, it becomes part of a mixed routine rather than a full switch.
Choosing decaf in January isn’t about restriction. It’s about flexibility.
Good decaf lets you enjoy coffee on your own terms — without timing your last cup or thinking twice about how it might affect your day or night.
At Trading Post, we approach decaf with the same care as every coffee we roast: sourcing well, roasting thoughtfully, and focusing on flavour first.
Explore our decaf range and find the option that fits your January — and beyond.
Decaf coffee still contains many of the naturally occurring compounds found in regular coffee, including polyphenols — antioxidant compounds studied for their role in metabolic health and oxidative stress reduction. Research suggests that many of coffee’s potential health associations are linked to these compounds rather than caffeine alone.
Large observational studies and controlled trials have shown:
Decaffeinated coffee retains a significant proportion of coffee’s polyphenols and antioxidant capacity.[3]
Consumption of both decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.[1,2]
Similar associations have been observed for cardiovascular health and overall mortality, independent of caffeine intake.[4]
These findings suggest decaf can support a more wellness-minded coffee routine, particularly for those looking to reduce caffeine while keeping the ritual.
van Dam, R. M., Hu, F. B. (2005). Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review. JAMA Internal Medicine. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/773949
Reis, C. E. G. et al. (2018). Decaffeinated coffee improves insulin sensitivity in healthy men. British Journal of Nutrition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21914162/
Martini, D. et al. (2024). Coffee polyphenols and metabolic health. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/12/5544
Poole, R. et al. (2017). Coffee consumption and health: umbrella review of meta-analyses. BMJ. https://www.bmj.com/content/359/bmj.j5024
Explore our decaf range and find the option that fits your January — and beyond.
