Making a list that accurately refines the types of teas low in caffeine is almost impossible.
Caffeine in tea is certainly a controversial topic because belief-based misinformation abounds.
Many of them are spread by trademarks that only intend to use them to sell more.
Let’s see what is true and myth, if there are teas with low caffeine, and if we can differentiate them.
Surely you get some surprises. Take this article as a series of recommendations that you should compare to your own tolerance for caffeine.
Related article: What teas have the most and the least caffeine?
What is caffeine?
Caffeine is an accepted psychotropic and consumed daily is estimated by up to 90% of the world’s population.
Only a few plants such as Camellia Sinensis tea, coffee, mate, or Guarana among others contain caffeine.
One of the other has been consumed in much of the world for thousands of years.
It was first discovered in coffee, hence its name, and when something similar was found in tea it was called theine.
A few years later it was revealed that they are the same substance.
Caffeine as well as its effects on people is well studied. Taken prudently, it is healthy and has proven benefits, especially for preventing some diseases to some degree.
But its main and most studied function is that it takes away our sleep and makes us feel like it, an effect much more pronounced in some people than in others.
The molecule of caffeine is very similar to the one that is responsible for making us feel tired and supplants it by “deceiving” our brain.
It can even produce a certain dependency syndrome if we stop taking it after having consumed it on a regular basis.
Related article: How green rooibos tea will make you healthier.
What teas are low in caffeine?
Recently, there has been great concern in the United States about the possible danger of caffeine.
Caffeine tolerance varies considerably between individuals, with some being much more sensitive to caffeine than others.
A very common misconception is that those who are intolerant to caffeine should drink decaffeinated tea.
Decaffeinated tea, in fact, is not completely caffeine-free. It still contains about 5 to 10 mg per cup.
Rooibos tea.
Rooibos is a plant of South African origin that does not contain caffeine.
It can be taken cold or hot with a little milk. If you prefer it cold, you can add a little honey and lemon.
To its taste and pleasant perfume is added its beneficial properties for health.
Thus, rooibos tea acts as a natural remedy to combat acidity, allergies, nausea, colic, or asthma.
Since they do not have theine, even pregnant women can take it while breastfeeding.
Chai tea.
This caffeine-free is usually made with spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves.
You can prepare it hot with honey or, if you prefer, with a little milk.
It is considered that — because of the spices it carries — it is a great stimulant, but with many more benefits than coffee.
Some types of chai or spice tea usually include black tea, which contains some caffeine.
Although in case you want to avoid caffeine, you just have to look for black tea-free options.
Chamomile tea.
Chamomile is made with chamomile flowers, as its name suggests. A plant that does not contain caffeine. It has soothing properties and facilitates digestion.
It is a digestive and anti-inflammatory herb. Chamomile is native to Europe, the Near East, and India and is used for digestive or nervous disorders and for anti-inflammatory ointments.
Ginger tea.
Ginger tea with lemon Ginger tea is a diuretic, which makes it a good ally for weight loss.
It accelerates metabolism and prevents fluid retention.
It is also good for combating nausea and dizziness, in addition to being a natural painkiller.
Peppermint tea.
Mint tea is an infusion made from mint leaves and has been used medicinally for centuries.
It is enjoyed all over the world, not only for its refreshing taste but also for its therapeutic uses.
Mint leaves are caffeine-free, so many people who suffer from insomnia will be able to safely drink this relaxing drink before bedtime.
Its impact on the digestive system is considerable, and its menthol-based element is perhaps the most valuable part of its organic structure.
Ginseng Tea.
Ginseng is very similar to ginger and some people often confused it, but it is not the same.
This plant, native to Siberia and China, has excellent properties to combat cold and zero caffeine.
It helps lift the immune system and is a great antioxidant.
When preparing it is better to mix it with lemon and honey since its flavor is a little coppery or metallic.
Ginger Tea.
It is made from the rhizome of the ginger plant. Ginger root tea delivers a spicy flavor with warming qualities that are similar to black pepper.
The spicy flavor adds a new dimension to the tea drink, all without caffeine. Ginger is also known for its health benefits, including reducing inflammation, and may be helpful in treating nausea.
Some people find that the taste of caffeine-free ginger tea is a bit intense. If this is you, try lemon tea and ginger.
Simply add a few slices of lemon or a splash of lemon juice to the tea to help balance the spicy taste
Related article: Are caffeine-free tea really caffeine-free?
Related article: How does Chai tea benefit you?
Final thoughts.
The amount of caffeine in tea depends on a large number of factors, including the method and duration of the infusion.
Studies also show that the type of harvest and leaves that are selected from the plant also affect the caffeine content of the tea.
The young leaves found higher in the plant, contain much higher concentrations of caffeine and antioxidants.
The biggest impact on caffeine content is water temperature and infusion time.
The leaves of black, oolong, green and white teas have surprisingly similar caffeine contents.
But a tea-infused for 5 minutes in boiling water will transmit much more caffeine to the cup than one infused for 2 minutes at 70┬║ C.
Let’s be clear: Oxidation does not increase the caffeine content in tea. Oxidation does not increase the caffeine content in tea.
There is no scientific backing to support this very common myth, and it is the result of measuring the caffeine in the cup after typical infusion methods and incorrectly giving credence to those results and not to the tea itself.
Related article: What does caffeine-free tea mean?
