September 27, 2010

How to decaffeinate your own tea

It's been a little over two weeks now that I've been on the Migraine Diet and off caffeine. I'm surprised how truly good I feel.

Several years ago I went to a Tea Party. The only formal tea I've ever gone to in my life. The tea shop owner gave us a little class on tea and tea preparation before serving us delightful (and sugary) English finger foods on tiered platters accompanied by a variety of gourmet, naturally decaffeinated teas. One thing I never forgot is how she explained to us how easy it is to decaffeinate your own tea!

A quick internet search informed me that:

  • Approximately 80% of the water soluble caffeine in tea is released during the first 30 seconds of brewing.

What's more, according to the tea shop lady, a whopping 94% of caffeine can be removed naturally in the first minute of brewing.


How To Decaffeinate Your Own Tea

  • Simply pour a little boiling water over the tea leaves in your teapot (or teabag in your cup), allow the tea to steep for 30 seconds to 1 minute, and then discard the liquid. Use the same tea leaves with fresh hot water to brew a close to fully decaffeinated cup of tea for drinking.


You will find this process highly effective, allowing you to enjoy the originally caffeinated teas you love without major concern over caffeine content. Test it for yourself and you will see that it works.

I can attest to the fact that is DOES work. I've been drinking my own decaffeinated English Breakfast tea for weeks. It tastes great with a little milk and sugar, but with a clean, no-caffeine feeling (if that, indeed, is what you're after).


Try it. You might be surprised.

:)

1 comment:

Christy said...

That's fascinating! Thanks for the tip, just in case I ever decide to go caffeine free again. I'm glad you are feeling better!

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