Decaffeinated Tea

Did you know you can decaffeinate your own tea? Manufacturers do this with two methods, water and chemicals. You know how people feel about chemicals. We will use the water method.

Decaffeinated Tea
tea bag
hot, nearly boiling water
cup or brewing pot

Heat your water and use about 1/2 cup more than you will need to brew your cup or pot of tea. When the water is piping hot but not boiling (boiling water boils out the oxygen and makes less flavorful tea) pour about 1/2 cup over your tea bag(s). Let sit for 30 seconds and pour off water. Immediately add the rest of the hot water and brew your tea.

White and green teas are best brewed 2-3 minutes and black teas should be brewed 4-5 minutes for best flavor. If this brewing time makes the tea too strong for your taste, you can dilute it with more hot water after brewing.

Most of the caffeine is released in the first 30 seconds of brewing. This will not eliminate ALL the caffeine-even decaffeinated teas you buy will have a bit of caffeine in them. Sources show this will reduce the caffeine by about 80 percent. Pretty good for an extra 30 seconds of your time.