Decaf on the Rise: More Cafes Serve Low‑caffeine Options as Sleep Concerns Grow
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
Many consumers in Korea are choosing decaffeinated drinks to avoid insomnia and jitteriness from excess caffeine. Global market research projects the decaf market to grow from about $3.1 billion this year to $4.2 billion by 2030, driven by health and wellness trends. Domestic sales are rising: Starbucks reported a 35% increase in decaf coffee sales through October, and major instant coffee brands saw nearly 20% revenue growth in decaf lines. Caffeine boosts alertness but can cause nervousness, sleep problems, stomach and kidney strain, and rebound fatigue; South Korea’s food safety agency recommends adults limit intake to 400 mg per day (300 mg for pregnant women). Because caffeine appears in many drinks and foods (cola, green/black tea, matcha, cocoa, chocolate, energy drinks), consumers welcome more decaf choices, including specialty decaf cafes. Regulators plan to tighten labeling: from next March, beverages may be labeled “decaffeinated” only if residual caffeine is 0.1% or less, aligning with U.S. standards (EU allows 0.3%). (decaffeinated = 디카페인)
