Decaffeination of Tea

According to the FDA, the average 5 oz. cup of brewed coffee contains 80 to 115 milligrams of caffeine, while the average 5 oz. cup of tea contains only 40 to 60 milligrams. Most published studies have reported few adverse health effects of moderate caffeine consumption. Still, many American consumers are requesting decaffeinated tea.

It has only been since the 1980s that advances in production technology have resulted in the availability of good quality decaffeinated tea. The process involves bringing the tea leaves into contact with a fluid capable of extracting the caffeine from the leaf, separating the leaves from the fluid, then drying the tea. The most commonly used agents include ethyl acetate (technically classified as a natural element) and methylene chloride, an FDA-approved solvent. (It should be noted that some "naturally decaffeinated" teas use the ethyl acetate method.)

Less common is the use of natural carbon dioxide (CO2) for decaffeination. Although it is more expensive, the CO2 method preserves natural flavors better, resulting in a better tasting tea. Before introducing decaffeinated tea, Taylors spent three years researching and testing the process. Not only did the tea have to meet their standards of product purity, it also had to have a superior taste. Taylors chose the CO2 process for decaffeination and selected a blend of African teas that proved successful in maintaining their flavor. The resulting product, available in bulk loose tea and English style tea bags, is the first decaffeinated tea deemed good enough to carry the Taylors name.

How to Decaffeinate Tea in a Pinch

Caffeine occurs naturally in tea leaves. China teas generally have less caffeine than the robust India teas that are used in breakfast blends. But some tea drinkers prefer their tea with no caffeine at all. If you run out of your favorite decaffeinated blend, follow these steps to remove caffeine from traditional tea.

• Pour water just off the boil over the tea leaves or tea bag and let them brew for 30 seconds. (Most of the caffeine is released in the first 30 seconds.)

• Discard the liquid, keeping the tea leaves or tea bag.

• Add more boiling water to the tea leaves or tea bag and brew for the recommended time.