Explorer Organic Whole Bean Coffee, Full Caff, Half Caff & Decaf

Your coffee routine, your caffeine level

Some mornings call for regular coffee. Other times, you want the cup without as much caffeine. Explorer's organic whole bean coffee gives you three choices: The Classic for full caff, The Seeker for half caff, and The Daydreamer for decaf.

These are whole beans, not ground coffee or cold brew concentrate. You'll need a grinder, or a way to have the beans ground, before brewing.

Which Explorer coffee should I choose?

• The Classic, Full Caff: The regular-caffeine option. Tasting notes of citrus, stone fruit, and floral flavors make it a good starting point if you enjoy a brighter cup.
• The Seeker, Half Caff: A middle ground between regular coffee and decaf, with tasting notes of chocolate, dark maple, and tangerine. I'd start here if you want to cut back on caffeine without going straight to decaf.
• The Daydreamer, Decaf: Water-processed decaf with tasting notes of brownie, salted caramel, and baked apple. Choose this when you want a lower-caffeine coffee routine and a sweeter flavor profile.

Tasting notes describe the coffee's flavor, not added ingredients. Your grind, brewing method, and recipe will affect what you taste in the cup.

What does half caff mean?

Half caff is a reduced-caffeine option between full caff and decaf. It isn't caffeine-free, and the caffeine in your finished cup depends on how much coffee you use and how you brew it.

How is the decaf processed?

The Daydreamer uses a water-based decaffeination process. Decaf can still contain a small amount of caffeine, so it isn't the same as a caffeine-free drink.

What are the beans like?

Explorer uses organic, fair-trade, specialty-grade coffee beans. The three options have different flavor profiles as well as different caffeine levels, so choose for both the cup you enjoy and the routine you want.

How should I brew whole bean coffee?

Grind only what you need just before brewing. Match the grind to your method: coarser for French press, medium for many drip brewers, and finer for espresso. Start with your brewer's recommended recipe, then adjust one thing at a time.

My recommendation: choose the caffeine level first, then use the tasting notes to narrow it down. The best bag is the one that fits the way you actually drink coffee.