Decaffeinated teas, also known as decaf teas, are increasingly popular alternative beverages. But what exactly are they?
We'll break down what decaffeinated tea is, what the health benefits are and why it's a great addition to your diet.
What is decaf tea?
Decaf teas are teas where in which the caffeine molecules have been removed through a decaffeination process.
All standard teas such as black, green, oolong and pu'er are from the same plant - camellia sinensis. The only reason they differ is due to the processing methods, e.g. black teas are heavily oxidised in comparison to green teas (learn more about the differences between each variety). Tea that is not from camellia sinensis are usually called herbal teas or tisanes. These teas usually don't naturally have caffeine occurring, though there are exceptions like yerba mate and cacao.
Decaf tea vs caffeine free tea
Teas are often labelled as caffeine free when they are naturally free from caffeine - though technically these are usually herbal teas or tisanes. Conversely, teas are labelled decaf when they've had their naturally occurring caffeine molecules removed.
How is tea decaffeinated?
There are several methods to decaffeinate tea.
This include carbon dioxide extraction, the hot water method (also known as the Swiss water method) and the solvent method (learn more about the different decaffeination methods).
All of our teas at Crane Tea undergo carbon dioxide extraction. We think this is the safest and most light-touch way to decaffeinate teas. Carbon dioxide extraction is the least invasive, keeps the leaves intact and protects against nutrient and flavour loss.
What are the benefits of decaf tea?
Decaf teas can be a nutritious addition to your tea collection and diet. They can also be a positive influence on your mental health and wellbeing.
Decaf teas are a great way to:
- Drink tea without it affecting sleep
- Decrease your overall caffeine intake
- Manage anxiety and stress
- Drink tea while pregnant, caffeine sensitive or too young for caffeine
Is decaf tea truly caffeine free?
While science has come a long way, there are always going to be traces of caffeine leftover even after decaffeination.
At Crane Tea, we ensure our decaf teas have less than 2% of caffeine content.
Where can I buy decaf tea?
You've come to the right place!
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🍵 What's the deal with the carbon dioxide extraction method to decaffeinate tea?