Tea and Caffeine
Herbal tisanes do not contain caffeine but herbal teas sometimes do have caffeine. This is because the company producing the herbal tea is actually using tea for the base and adding herbals to create a blend. So, if you are trying to avoid caffeine make sure you check the ingredients before purchasing.
Decaffeinated tea still has caffeine, just not as much as your regular tea. There are three main methods used to decaffeinate tea.
1) Ethyl Acetate is a chemical decaffeination process and is the cheapest method used. It involves soaking the tea leaves with ethyl acetate solvent. Many of the health benefits are stripped away and some solvent residue remains. The taste of the tea is also affected.
2) Water processing involves placing the leaves into very hot water and then straining the steeped water through carbon filters. The first batch of tea leaves is thrown away and then a second batch is placed in the water and the caffeine dissolves into the water. The tea leaves are then dried. This method maintains the flavour but some of the health benefits are lost.
3) Carbon Dioxide is used to treat water soaked leaves acting as a magnet to the caffeine molecules which are then removed. The leaves are dried after the caffeine is removed. The method allows the tea to retain it’s flavour and it’s health benefits.
You can also decaffeinate your tea at home. It’s similar to the water processing method. After you boil your water cover the tea leaves and let sit for 20-30 seconds. Pour off the water then fill your cup or teapot and let the tea infuse. Since, many teas taste better on the second infusion this is a great way to get your second cup flavour without the caffeine of the first infusion.




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