Caffeine is a stimulant that is present in most beverages. It helps to enhance your energy level and improve your focus.
Some people drink caffeinated beverages at night to keep themselves awake. On the flip side, there are also some side effects due to caffeine. If you experience caffeine sensitivity, avoiding caffeinated drinks is better.
On such occasions, you can switch to decaf teas or coffees. Decaffeination will remove most of the caffeine from the tea leaves or coffee beans. In this article, we will elaborately explain whether all green teas are decaffeinated.
A common misconception among most people is that green tea does not contain caffeine. In contrast, brewed green tea contains caffeine.
Decaf green tea is prepared from decaffeinated tea leaves. Since decaffeination does not remove 100% of the caffeine, even decaffeinated green tea will have traces of caffeine.
Not all green teas are decaffeinated. The manufacturer mostly uses the buds and leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to make decaf green tea.
Green Tea
As already mentioned, green tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Although black, oolong, and green teas are made from the same plant, their taste and caffeine content differ due to the different processing methods. The withering and oxidation processes do not occur when manufacturing green tea.
However, it is used when making oolong and black tea. There are many health benefits to drinking green tea.
This beverage supports brain functioning, reduces the chance of developing cardiac disease, protects against cancer, and promotes fat loss.
Further, the green antioxidant improves sleep quality so that you can drink it before bed. Research has found that the caffeine content in green tea does not keep you awake at night.
In contrast, for caffeine-intolerant people, the caffeine in this beverage may trigger some side effects. In such cases, it is better to consume decaf green tea.
How Green Tea is Decaffeinated
There are different methods by which you can decaffeinate green tea. Natural decaffeination methods either use water or naturally occurring carbon dioxide.
At the same time, the other two ways use chemical solvents, methylene chloride and ethyl acetate.
The best recommended method for decaffeinating green tea is the natural water process, which is safe and does not use chemicals. The water process method removes caffeine by soaking the leaves in water for several hours.
Then the extract is filtered using the carbon filter that attracts caffeine. This way, around 99% of the caffeine will be removed.
Anyhow, none of the methods will remove 100% caffeine. So decaf green tea will still contain a small amount of caffeine.
Are All Green Teas Decaf?
First, it is essential to know that regular green tea contains caffeine. This caffeinated green tea is a popular beverage that is sold worldwide.
It is possible to decaffeinate most green tea varieties, but green tea made using Camellia sinensis is usually decaffeinated. The product will be labeled decaffeinated if 97% or more of the caffeine is removed from the tea leaves. Regular green tea sold on the market is not decaffeinated.
When purchasing decaf green, check the label and verify whether the product is decaffeinated. Also, check on the decaffeination method.
As we mentioned, the water process for decaffeination is highly recommended. This natural way of removing caffeine will help retain most of the antioxidants in the tea leaves.
Also, water process decaffeination will not significantly alter the beverage’s taste.
How Much Caffeine in Green Tea Vs Decaf Green Tea
Both regular and decaf green teas have caffeine.
Generally, an 8-ounce cup of green tea will contain around 25 to 29 mg of caffeine. On the other hand, a cup of decaf green tea will have about 2 to 3 mg of caffeine.
This estimated caffeine content might change due to several factors. The following are a few factors that will affect caffeine content.
- The earliest harvest of tea leaves will contain more caffeine since the leaves are less oxidized.
- The caffeine content will change according to the type of tea leaves used to prepare green tea.
- The brewing time of the beverage will also impact the caffeine content.
- In decaffeinated beverages, the method of decaffeination will influence the caffeine content.
Therefore, the amount of caffeine in your regular or decaf might be higher or lower than the above quantities.
How to Make Decaf Green Tea
Many companies manufacture decaf green tea bags; hence, preparing this decaffeinated beverage instantly is easy.
You can purchase these tea bags in-store or online. Many online retailers are selling their products worldwide. The method of preparation is quick and simple.
You can follow the instructions below.
Preparation:
Boil the water in a kettle or microwave. Once the water is boiled, pour the hot water into a cup. Then steep a decaf green tea bag in hot water. Allow it for a few seconds. You can add any sweetener or honey to enhance the taste. Stir well, and enjoy the cup of decaffeinated green tea.
Note: Some people soak the tea leaves in water and try to remove the caffeine at home. Although it is possible, the best practice is to purchase the water-process decaffeinated green tea sachet. This is because you need to ensure how well the DIY green tea decaffeination method will work.
Bottom Line
Decaf coffee or tea is excellent for people intending to reduce their caffeine intake. Green tea is a healthy beverage that provides many health benefits.
However, green tea also contains around 28 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce serving. This caffeine content will be too much for caffeine-intolerant people.
Hence, they could switch to decaf green tea containing only 2mg of caffeine per 8-ounce serving. The tea manufacturers mainly use the Camellia sinensis plant leaves to produce decaf green tea.
Although there are various tea plants, not all are used to make decaf green tea. If you are searching for a reputed seller from whom you can purchase decaf green tea, check out our recent blog post on where to buy decaf green tea.
FAQs
Can I Drink Green Tea At Night?
Yes, you can drink green tea at night as it increases the quality of your sleep.
However, avoiding this beverage at night is better if you are highly sensitive to caffeine. Instead, you can drink decaf green tea with less caffeine.
Is Green Tea Herbal?
No, green is made using the leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant.
The same plant is used to make black and oolong tea.
Can I Drink Decaf Green Tea Every Day?
Yes, decaf green tea contains only 2 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce cup, so consuming it daily is entirely safe.
