Looking for a tea without theine? For a comforting gourmet drink without theine? For a tea to drink in the evening that won't stop you sleeping? Then you're in the right place! Here we offer you a few alternatives to theine, such as rooibos and infusions. And we also teach you how to reduce the amount of theine in your cup of tea.
What is theine?
While thought to be different for a time, theine and caffeine is one and the same molecule. The difference between the world's two most consumed hot drinks is that coffee contains much more: three to four times more than in a cup of tea. This explains the reason why coffee has an exciting effect, while tea has simply a stimulating effect. Just enough to stay awake and alert when meditating, say some Buddhist monks. The theine found in tea leaves is released when they are immersed in hot water. There are also great disparities between the different types of tea: black tea is the richest in theine (in particular because it releases it more quickly), ahead of green tea and white tea, reputed to be the "lightest".
Why drink tea without theine?
While the stimulating and energising effect of tea is sought after for its considered benefits, others may wish to avoid this effect. This is the case for people sensitive to theine, who worry they will have trouble falling asleep. The stimulation felt, the rate of absorption of theine, and the tolerance is specific to each person. Another group that could seek to reduce their theine consumption is that of pregnant women. Doctors generally recommend that they reduce their consumption to two cups of tea per day. Also children, whose lower bodyweight increases the theine concentration in their body, and also slows its elimination. Finally, people with heart or stomach problems may be advised to remove theine from their diet. So for all the above groups who don't want to give up their tea break, tea without theine is the solution.
What are theine-free teas?
Incorrectly called "red tea" through abuse of language, Rooibos is a South African tea that contains no theine. The reason being it is not a tea at all, but a shrub, the Rooibos bush, belonging to the legume family. Rooibos is the national drink of South Africa, and its influence has stretched far beyond its borders for its taste (a little acidic, a little bitter) and its high antioxidant content. Maison Kusmi offers two: an organic rooibos with vanilla and an organic rooibos with almond. Other teineless drinks include the many fruity and flowery Kusmi infusions and herbal teas. As well as a decaffeinated Earl Grey tea, with bergamot and citrus fruits. Finally, since theine does not diffuse well in cold water, iced tea is a low-theine drink. For an iced mint tea, for example, you will need to infuse Kusmi organic mint tea for two to three hours in the refrigerator, because cold infusion is much slower. Use about 2 to 3 teaspoons of tea for 1 litre of cold water. Then add sugar, lemon, fresh mint leaves, etc. according to taste.
How can the theine be removed from tea?
Preparing a "low-theine" tea is super-easy. It is sufficient to first infuse it for one minute, then throw away this first water, which contains the most theine. Basically, the molecule is released when the leaves come into contact with hot water. We then keep the same tea (the same bag, the same tea ball...) and infuse it again, in fresh simmering water. This second infusion will then be much lighter in theine, while retaining the flavours of your favourite tea.