What is theine?
Did you know that theine and caffeine are actually the same molecule. Coffee only contains much more: three to four times more than in a cup of tea. This explains its exciting effect while tea will have the effect of a simple tea stimulant. Just what you need to stay awake and vigilant when you are meditating, say some Buddhist monks.
Present in tea leaves, theine is released when they are immersed in hot water. Between the different types of tea, we also observe large disparities: black tea is the richest in theine (notably because it releases it more quickly), ahead of green tea and the white tea, known as the “lightest”.
This is why Kusmi advises you to drink black tea in the morning and to prefer green, white or oolong tea during the day.
Why consume tea without caffeine?
While the stimulating and energizing effect of green or black tea is sought after because it is considered beneficial, some may, on the contrary, want to do without it. This is the case for people sensitive to theine or caffeine, who may fear having difficulty falling asleep. The stimulation felt, the absorption rate of theine, and the tolerance will be specific to each person. Another public who could seek to reduce their consumption of theine: pregnant women, to whom doctors generally recommend reducing their consumption to two cups of tea per day. Or even children, whose lower weight makes theine more concentrated in their body, and slower to eliminate. Finally, people suffering from heart or stomach diseases may be recommended to remove theine from their diet. For all those people who would not like to give up their tea break, tea without theine or detheine is the solution.
In addition, tea without theine or detheine tastes just as good as regular tea. The aromas in the mouth will no less be better. The absence of theine avoids the bitterness that can be found in an overly infused drink.
What are theine-free teas? Focus on infusions and rooibos
Also called “red tea” by misnomer, Rooibos is a tea without theine from South Africa: but as it does not contain theine, it is part of the category of infusions. And for good reason: it is not tea leaves, but a shrub, the Rooibos bush, belonging to the legume family. National drink in South Africa, Rooibos has won over well beyond its borders with its tasty taste (little astringent, little bitter) and its high antioxidant content. A drink with multiple benefits, “red tea” is attributed with beneficial effects on health. Rich in flavonoids, it contributes to the prevention of many diseases, facilitates digestion, boosts energy (presence of minerals: potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper, zinc and iron) and helps fight against water retention (elimination). However, no clinical study has yet confirmed these hypotheses. We therefore recommend that you be vigilant regarding these health claims. In addition, containing neither theine nor caffeine, rooibos does not impact sleep and can be consumed peacefully in the evening before going to sleep.
Maison Kusmi offers two: one Organic vanilla rooibos and a Organic almond rooibos.
Another possible caffeine-free drink: the numerous Kusmi infusions and herbal teas, fruity and flowery. As well as a Earl Gray tea, with bergamot and citrus fruits. Finally, as theine does not diffuse well in cold water, iced tea is a drink low in theine. For an iced mint tea, for example, you will need to infuse the Kusmi organic mint tea, for two to three hours in the refrigerator, as cold brew is much slower. Allow approximately 2 to 3 teaspoons of tea for 1 liter of cold water. Then add, according to your taste, sugar, lemon, fresh mint leaves....
How to detheine tea?
Preparing a “low-theine” tea is ultra-simple. All you have to do is infuse it once for a minute, then throw away this first water, which contains the most theine. In fact, the molecule is released once the leaves come into contact with hot water. We then keep the same tea (the same bag, the same tea ball, etc.) which we infuse again, in new simmering water. This second infusion will then be much lighter in theine, while retaining the flavors of your favorite tea.
The best caffeine-free tea in an organic version
Choosing an organic caffeine-free tea will guarantee you quality products. Indeed, the organic label implies the presence of numerous quality controls during the production and development of the drink.
Would you like to know more about the different types of green tea ?