Decaf for Dummies

Decaf is a word that you might've heard before, especially when talking about coffee. It's actually short for "decaffeinated," which means that something, most commonly coffee, has had the caffeine taken out of it. And what is caffeine, you might ask? Well, caffeine is a substance that can be found in some drinks, like coffee, tea, and soda, that can make you feel more awake and alert. You know when you drink a fizzy drink and you feel like you have more energy and can't sit still? That's because of the caffeine! But some people can't have caffeine for different reasons, like if they have trouble sleeping or if it makes them feel too jittery. That's where decaf comes in! Decaf coffee still tastes like regular coffee, but it doesn't have as much caffeine in it. So, when you see "decaf" on a menu at a café, or at the store when you're picking out coffee, it means that it's a lower-caffeine version of the regular stuff. It's a good option if you still want to enjoy the taste of coffee without the extra jolt of energy!