Green teas contain naturally occurring antioxidants that fight free-radical damage and improve metabolic and heart health. However, the decaffeination process can also remove a significant amount of these beneficial polyphenols.
If you want the benefits of green tea without the caffeine jitters and high blood pressure spikes, consider the following decaffeinated green tea options.
1. Green Tea
Green tea is a powerful anti-inflammatory with the main ingredient being EGCG. This catechin can prevent vascular damage and reduce cholesterol and plasma lipids in the blood. Green tea is also full of L-theanine, which is known to help relax the nervous system and improve mental alertness without increasing anxiety or stress levels. It has been shown to enhance cognitive function, aid digestion and protect against age-related brain disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Drinking a cup of green tea daily is a great way to support your heart health. The polyphenols in green tea (especially EGCG) have been shown to have positive vascular protective effects, which can include lower triglycerides and blood cholesterol and decreased oxidative stress.
Our decaf green tea is made using the safe and efficient CO2 decaffeination process. This method allows us to maintain 96-98% of the natural antioxidants that are found in green tea while dramatically reducing the caffeine content. Our decaf green tea is the perfect alternative for those that are looking to cut out caffeine or simply enjoy a cup of tea with less of a stimulant. You can still expect the same delicious grassy flavours of our normal green tea, whether you choose our prestigious dragon well, explosive gunpowder or soothing sencha. This makes our green tea a perfect choice to start the day, wind down at night or any time in between.
2. Matcha
Matcha is a green tea powder that has long been consumed in Japan for its health-promoting properties. The unique cultivation method of the tea plants results in higher concentrations of L-Theanine, a naturally occurring amino acid that promotes a state of calm alertness without any caffeine buzz. Matcha also contains powerful polyphenols that have been shown to be better at scavenging free radicals than vitamin C.[3][4]
Several studies have demonstrated the protective effects of matcha against cognitive impairment, mainly by analyzing the expression levels of hippocampus proteins that are associated with memory ability in mouse models. However, the influence of ingested matcha catechin on hippocampus protein expression has never been extensively examined using proteomics techniques to confirm and explore its action mechanism.
The most important point to consider is that no matter what decaffeination process is used, there will always be some trace amounts of caffeine remaining. While most decaf teas have a low to moderate amount of caffeine, the best option is to choose a high quality, 100% organic, non-GMO green tea that has undergone a safe and natural CO2 high-pressure extraction process. This process removes 96-98% of the caffeine molecules while magically preserving the rich flavour elements of the green tea leaves. This ensures that the same great taste, flavour and antioxidant content of traditional Japanese green tea can be enjoyed by those with sensitive sensitivity to caffeine.
3. Oolong
Like green tea and black tea, oolong is a type of Camellia sinensis plant-derived beverage that is characterized by being partially oxidized. This process is done by letting the leaves wither in the sun before processing. Teas are then partially oxidized between 8-80%, which allows them to take on various characteristics. Depending on how the tea maker manipulates the leaves, oolong can have flavors that range from dark and rich to floral and buttery.
Interestingly, oolong can also be decaffeinated naturally through a process called water only decaffeination. This process involves soaking the leaves in hot water to extract the caffeine. The advantage of this method is that it does not remove any of the healthful polyphenols found in the leaves, which are known to have antioxidant properties that help combat free radicals and lower cholesterol levels.
Some tea drinkers choose to decaffeinate their own tea at home, using a hot water rinse that is supposed to get rid of most of the caffeine. This is not a very efficient process, and it tends to lose much of the flavor that makes green tea so delicious. It may also remove many of the healthy compounds, which are best able to fight free radicals and protect against certain diseases.
Another way to decaffeinate your oolong is through methylene chloride or ethyl acetate, both of which are chemical solvents that can be used to soak the tea leaves. This is not a very good method, but it does work. Methylene chloride is a harmful compound that has been linked to cancer, so it is better not to use this method.
4. White Tea
Unlike green tea, which has high caffeine levels, white tea is naturally lower in caffeine. This is because the tea leaves are not rolled, so they can’t absorb as much caffeine as other types of tea.
However, it is important to note that even though a cup of white tea has less caffeine than other green teas, it does still contain some caffeine, especially if you brew the leaves for too long. To avoid getting too much caffeine in a cup of white tea, we recommend only steeping the leaves for one-and-a-half to three minutes.
In the case of decaf green tea, there are a few different options for those who want to cut down on their caffeine intake without sacrificing flavor. One option is to try a tea that has undergone the CO2 decaffeination process, which removes most of the caffeine while also leaving behind many of the antioxidants and nutrients that make green tea so good for you.
Another method of decaffeinating green tea is the water processing method, which involves soaking the leaves in water to strip away the caffeine molecules. However, this can cause the tea to taste more watery and lose some of its original flavors. It’s also worth noting that if you’re looking to get the most health benefits out of your tea, it is best to go for decaf teas that have not undergone any chemical processes or been treated with methylene chloride, which can actually reduce some of the beneficial compounds in the tea.