Decaf coffee has long been dismissed by serious coffee aficionados, but that perception is rapidly changing, particularly in San Francisco, a major hub for coffee culture. A recent report by SkyQuest Technology projects the global decaf market, currently valued at $20 billion, will grow by 50% by 2030. Saint Frank Coffee, a local favorite, is spearheading the effort to cater to the burgeoning demand for decaf. The turning point came when a decaf varietal won the U.S. Brewers Cup Championship, a first in the competition's history, drawing comparisons to winning the Tour de France on a unicycle. This victory has sparked renewed interest in high-quality decaf options. Advances in decaffeination technology have also made a significant impact, allowing decaf to retain flavors that were previously lost. Health-conscious consumers and cultural shifts towards non-alcoholic and low-caffeine beverages have further boosted decaf’s popularity. Several San Francisco cafes, such as Grand Coffee, Coffee Movement, and Excelsior Coffee, now offer top-tier decaf options that rival their caffeinated counterparts. These cafes employ advanced decaffeination methods, like using naturally occurring ethyl acetate, to ensure that the taste remains uncompromised. As a result, decaf coffee is no longer the inferior option it once was, but a sophisticated choice for discerning coffee drinkers.
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