Best Decaf Coffee Beans UK: Why Nightwatchman Is a Decaf Worth Drinking
A decaf that's worth staying up for
Decaf has a reputation for tasting flat, papery or a bit sad. A good one shouldn't. If the beans are well sourced, gently decaffeinated and freshly roasted, you get a cup that tastes like proper coffee, just without the buzz.
That's the idea behind Nightwatchman Decaf. In cricket, the nightwatchman is the lower-order batter sent in late in the day to see out the last few overs. Our version does the same job for your evening coffee. It's there for the final session, so you can still get some sleep.
Below, we explain what to look for when you're buying decaf coffee beans in the UK, and how Nightwatchman measures up.
What makes a good decaf coffee?
Four things decide whether a decaf tastes good: how the caffeine comes out, the beans it starts with, the roast, and how fresh it is when it reaches you.
1. How the caffeine is removed
Caffeine is taken out of green coffee before it's roasted. Some methods use solvents to do this. The Swiss Water Process uses only water, time and temperature. According to Swiss Water, it removes 99.9% of the caffeine and is 100% chemical free.
We find this gentler method keeps more of the coffee's natural flavour, which is why we use it for Nightwatchman.
2. The beans it starts with
Decaffeination can't add flavour. It can only keep what's already there. So a good decaf starts with good Arabica beans. Nightwatchman uses beans from Brazil, chosen for a smooth, chocolatey cup that stays consistent all year.
3. The roast
Decaf beans behave differently in the roaster, so they need care to avoid tasting burnt or hollow. Nightwatchman is roasted in Yorkshire to a medium level, which keeps it smooth without losing body.
4. Freshness
Coffee loses flavour in the months after roasting, and decaf is no exception. A bag that's been sitting on a shelf will taste flat however good the beans were. Every bag of Nightwatchman is delivered within days of roasting.
| What to look for | Why it matters | Nightwatchman |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical-free decaf process | More natural flavour, no solvents | Swiss Water Process |
| Speciality Arabica beans | Decaf can only keep the flavour that's there | Brazil |
| A careful roast | Avoids a burnt or hollow taste | Medium roast, roasted in Yorkshire |
| A recent roast date | Stale decaf tastes flat | Delivered within days of roasting |
Nightwatchman Decaf: what it tastes like
Nightwatchman is full-bodied and smooth, with notes of dark chocolate. It has low acidity, so there's no sharp or sour edge. That makes it a good match for milk, and it holds up well in a latte, cappuccino or flat white. It also makes a strong, rounded filter coffee.
| Origin | Brazil |
|---|---|
| Decaf process | Swiss Water (100% chemical free) |
| Tasting notes | Dark chocolate, smooth |
| Roast | 3/5 |
| Body | 4/5 |
| Acidity | 2/5 |
| Sweetness | 3/5 |
| Best for | Lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites and strong filter coffee |
It's ideal for the last session of a five-day Test, a late film, or any time you want the taste of coffee without lying awake afterwards. It also makes a thoughtful gift for a cricket fan who's cutting back on caffeine.
What people say about Nightwatchman
Nightwatchman featured in The Edit Magazine's Christmas gift guide for him:
"Clubhouse Roastery's Nightwatchman Decaf Coffee is a tasty gift that combines his love of cricket with a genuinely good cup of coffee... it is proof that decaf can still deliver on taste." (The Edit Magazine)
Our customers agree. Simon left this five-star review in February 2026:
"Ordered this with a couple of the regular coffees and love it for my evening coffee. Had it ground for espresso... now works a treat!" (Simon J., verified buyer)
How to brew Nightwatchman
You can order Nightwatchman as whole beans, or ground for the way you brew. For the best flavour, buy whole beans and grind just before brewing. If you don't have a grinder, choose the grind that matches your brewer.
| How you brew | Grind to choose | Starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso machine | Ground for Espresso / Moka Pot | 18g of coffee for about 36g of espresso |
| Moka pot | Ground for Espresso / Moka Pot | Fill the basket level, don't press it down |
| Cafetière | Ground for Cafetiere | 60g of coffee per litre of water, brewed for 4 minutes |
| V60, filter machine or AeroPress | Ground for Filter / Aeropress | 60g of coffee per litre of water |
A tip for espresso
If you buy it pre-ground for espresso and your shot runs very slowly or blocks, use a little less coffee in the basket. Simon found the same thing: once he adjusted the amount, it "works a treat". If you grind your own, go slightly coarser instead.
Decaf coffee FAQs:
Is decaf coffee completely caffeine free?
Not quite. The Swiss Water Process removes 99.9% of the caffeine, so a trace remains. For most people that's small enough to enjoy a cup late in the evening.
Does Swiss Water decaf taste different to regular coffee?
A well-made Swiss Water decaf tastes like a smooth, medium-roast coffee. Nightwatchman has the body and dark chocolate notes you'd expect from a Brazilian coffee. It works especially well in milk drinks, where the chocolate notes come through.
Is it a good gift?
Yes, especially for a cricket fan who's cutting back on caffeine. The label artwork and the name make it more personal than a supermarket decaf.
Buy Nightwatchman Decaf
Nightwatchman Decaf comes as whole beans or ground for espresso, moka pot, filter, AeroPress or cafetière.
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 250g | £11.99 |
| 500g | £18.99 |
| 1kg | £32.99 |
Every bag is roasted in Yorkshire and delivered within days of roasting. Order Nightwatchman Decaf.