23/02/2024
Tearoom Talk - Friday Facts
Tea going caffeine free!
While it is true tea contains less caffeine than tea, all true teas are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant and this contains caffeine. So if all true tea comes from the same plant why and how do we get black, green and white tea?
The main difference between black, green, and white tea lies in their processing methods:
Black Tea: Black tea undergoes full oxidation, meaning the tea leaves are fully exposed to oxygen. This process gives black tea its dark color, robust flavor, and higher caffeine content compared to green and white teas.
Green Tea: Green tea undergoes minimal oxidation. The leaves are heated shortly after harvesting to halt oxidation. This helps preserve the natural green color of the leaves and results in a more delicate flavor profile with lower caffeine content compared to black tea.
White Tea: White tea is the least processed of the three. The leaves are simply harvested and dried, often with minimal handling. This minimal processing preserves the natural flavor and aroma of the tea leaves, resulting in a delicate, subtle flavor profile and the lowest caffeine content among the three types.
This the real difference is the processing and the amout of oxidation this denotes the strength of caffine. But how do we get caffeine free well you need to go for herbal teas strictly not teas at all so real should be known as tisane’s which refers to being made in the style of true tea (dried leaves being steeped in boiling hot water and brewed for a time then served and drunk) not to be confused with fruit tea where various flavors are added to true to give a fruity note to tea but still contain the full caffeine of the black green or white tea it is added to.
The most tea like of these herbal teas/tisanes is
Rooibos, also known as red bush tea, is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant, which is native to South Africa. Unlike true teas (such as black, green, white, and oolong), which are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant and naturally contain caffeine, rooibos is naturally caffeine-free.
The absence of caffeine in rooibos is due to the fact that it comes from a different plant species altogether. Rooibos leaves do not contain caffeine as part of their natural composition. This makes rooibos an excellent choice for those looking to avoid caffeine or for enjoying in the evening without worrying about its stimulating effects. Additionally, rooibos has a naturally sweet and slightly nutty flavour, making it a popular beverage choice for its taste as well as its caffeine-free nature.
Here at The Apple Tree Tearooms we serve all the varieties of tea as well as a selection of tisanes including the most tea like naturally decaffeinated tisane rooibos (redbush). We serve all our teas and tisanes in the proper way, in a pre-warmed teapot and with freshly drawn boiling water. Then it is brought to your table to brew till it is to your required strength and ready for you to pour out.
