Decaf green tea is a wonderful option for anyone sensitive to caffeine. However, it is important to understand the process that goes into making this type of tea.
The decaffeination process removes some of the water-soluble nutrients, such as polyphenols. Still, green tea has plenty of health perks, such as improving working memory and lowering heart disease risk, per the Cleveland Clinic.
1. Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase blood pressure, cause restlessness and interfere with certain medications. While it doesn’t affect everyone, if you are sensitive to caffeine or want to cut down on it, then decaf green tea is an option.
The main reason to drink decaf is that it contains much less caffeine than the typical cup of coffee, which can have between 20 and 50 milligrams per ounce. This is about three times less than a cup of regular tea, which has between 4 and 7 milligrams. The most common methods of decaffeination are water and carbon dioxide processing, which removes the majority of the caffeine while preserving other healthy chemical compounds like antioxidants. The methylene chloride and ethyl acetate methods also remove some of the healthy compounds, but they leave behind harmful chemicals that aren’t safe for human consumption.
Luckily, there is another way to decaffeinate your own tea without any of the negative side effects. The process involves heating the tea leaves in hot water and allowing them to steep for 30 seconds to a minute. Then, you pour off the liquid and add a little bit of fresh hot water to start the brewing over again. Repeat this until you get the desired amount of decaf tea. It takes longer than using a store-bought bag, but the result is a delicious cup of decaf green tea that will help keep you alert and avoid that jittery feeling.
2. Flavor
Depending on the method used to decaffeinate green tea, it may be somewhat bitter. The most common methods involve using chemical solvents, which can also alter the flavor of the tea and remove some of its antioxidants. To avoid this, opt for organic decaf green tea that has been processed using water instead of chemicals.
You can also use lemon to mellow out the flavor of your tea. This can make it more appealing if you’re not a fan of the bitterness of most decaf teas. Alternatively, you can try adding honey or sugar to your tea to sweeten it. Just be aware that adding too much sugar can actually have negative health effects.
One of the reasons that many people choose to drink green tea is because it’s known for its heart-health benefits. The flavanols in green tea can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce blood pressure, per UC Davis Health. In fact, green tea can even help prevent cardiovascular disease.
However, it’s important to note that the same processes that remove caffeine from green tea can also remove a sizable portion of its antioxidants, which are known for their free-radical-clobbering properties. So, if you’re trying to get the benefits of green tea but are sensitive to caffeine, try drinking some stinging nettle tea or oolong tea before bed to help ease your sensitivity to this stimulant.
3. Health Benefits
Decaffeinated green tea is still a good source of antioxidants and other healthy compounds. But the decaffeination process can also remove some of the water-soluble vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals in the leaves. So, if you drink decaf green tea often, you may need to consume more to get the same health benefits as you would from caffeinated green tea.
Green tea contains polyphenols that can help prevent disease and promote health, per Tufts University. These plant-derived chemicals can decrease inflammation and narrow blood vessels, helping to alleviate headaches and boost the immune system. But, the same decaffeination process that removes caffeine from green tea also strips the polyphenols, reducing their effectiveness and limiting their benefits.
The most common decaffeination methods for tea involve adding harsh chemicals to the leaves, like methylene chloride. This chemical isn’t safe for human consumption and it can have detrimental effects on your health. Look for decaf green tea that’s been processed using natural methods.
While you can find many commercially available options for decaf green tea, it’s easy to make your own. Start by heating the water to just below boiling, to avoid damaging the delicate leaves. Add the leaves to a teapot and let them steep for about 2-3 minutes, before straining into a cup. Enjoy! You can always add some honey or sugar to sweeten the flavor.
4. Storage
Decaf green tea is a healthy alternative to water, but it’s not a cure-all for your thirst. The best way to stay hydrated is by drinking plenty of fluids, including water and other beverages like fruit juice, milk and coffee.
As with all tea, it’s important to store your decaf green tea properly so that the flavor stays fresh and the health benefits are preserved. Tea should be stored in opaque containers and out of sunlight as the light can degrade the quality of your tea over time. Moisture is also no good for your tea, so be sure to keep it in a dry cabinet.
Unlike the average tea bag, which is filled with dust and broken leaf pieces, premium decaf green tea is made with real whole tea leaves. These leaves can be brewed several times, so they’re a great option for people who want to make the most of their purchase.