How is tea decaffinated?

Caffeine occurs naturally in more than 60 plants, including: the arabica plant, which produces coffee beans the Theobroma cacao tree, which produces the beans that are the primary ingredient in chocolate. Kola nuts, which many cola drink products are made with the Thea sinensis plant, whose leaves are used for teas When separated from its sources, caffeine is a white, bitter-tasting powder. See How Caffeine Works for more information about caffeine.

Several methods are used to remove caffeine from its natural sources: Methylene chloride processing Ethyl acetate processing Carbon dioxide processing Water processing Methylene chloride is a chemical used as a solvent to extract caffeine from many raw materials. Molecules of caffeine bond to molecules of methylene chloride. The materials are softened in a water bath or in steam.

The next step is to process the materials with methylene chloride by either of two methods: Using the "direct" method, caffeine is removed by directly soaking the materials in methylene chloride. Using the "indirect" method, caffeine, which is water soluble, is extracted by soaking the materials in water. Many of the flavors and oils are also extracted during this process, so the solution is treated with methylene chloride and then returned to the material for reabsorption of the flavorings.

Ethyl acetate processed products are referred to as "naturally decaffeinated" because ethyl acetate is a chemical found naturally in many fruits. Caffeine is extracted in the same way as with methylene chloride processing, but ethyl acetate is the URL1 decaffeinate using carbon dioxide (CO2), water-softened materials are "pressure cooked" with the gas. At high pressures and high temperatures, carbon dioxide is in a supercritical state, acting as both a gas and a liquid.

It becomes a solvent with its small, nonpolar molecules attracting the small caffeine molecules. Since flavor molecules are larger, they remain intact, which is why this process retains the flavor of the material better. Caffeine extraction with water is used primarily for coffee decaffeination.

The process is similar to the "indirect" method used in methylene chloride processing, but no chemicals are used. After the caffeine is leached out of the material by soaking in hot water for a period of time, the solution is then passed through a carbon filter for caffeine removal. The water is then returned to the beans for reabsorption of flavors and oils.

In the "Swiss Water Process," the same method is used, but instead of soaking in water, the beans are soaked in a coffee-flavored solution. This results in the caffeine being extracted without removing the coffee flavors. Caffeine is not removed completely using any of these methods, but under federal regulations in the United States, caffeine levels must not be above 2.5 percent of the product in order for a product to be labeled "decaffeinated.

" Most of the caffeine removed in processing is manufactured for use in other products, such as medicines and soft drinks. For example, less than 5 percent of the caffeine found in cola drinks is actually from the kola nut, and many of the popular "high caffeine" soft drinks do not contain kola nut extracts at all. The caffeine content of soft drinks is primarily, and sometimes completely, from the addition of caffeine extracted from decaffeination processes.

Sources: http://home.howstuffworks.com/question480.htm .

A couple of ways, some natural, some with chemicals. How is Tea Decaffeinated? The brief synopsis on the tea box usually reads something like "naturally decaffeinated" or "decaffeinated using water and natural effervescence" or simply "decaffeinated".

Here's the low-down on the various ways to get the "lead" out of tea. One basic principal underlies the decaffeination process—using a solvent to dissolve the caffeine and then removing the solvent from the tea. The caffeine is separated from the solvent and the solvent is purified and reused.

Three different solvents are currently available to decaffeinate tea: Methylene chloride Ethyl acetate Super critical carbon dioxide Methylene chloride Methylene chloride is used to decaffeinate a high proportion of conventional teas. As a solvent, methylene chloride is highly effective, but also potentially dangerous under certain circumstances. It can cause faintness, dizziness, and headache if inhaled at high concentrations.In mice, methylene chloride has been shown to cause cancer at very high doses (the equivalent of a human drinking 12-24 million cups of decaffeinated tea each day).

However, no carcinogenicity has been demonstrated at lower doses. Methylene chloride can either be applied directly or indirectly to remove caffeine.In the direct method, methylene chloride is applied to moistened tea leaves to pull out the caffeine. Then the methylene chloride and the caffeine are separated from the tea, and the tea is washed to allow any residual methylene chloride to dissipate.

FDA has set a residual tolerance limit for methylene chloride as a caffeine solvent at 10 p.p.m.("parts per million" or 0.001%), but the actual residue left is thought to be much lower.In the indirect method, water is used as the solvent to extract caffeine (and, unfortunately, tea oils and beneficial polyphenols, as well). The tea is soaked in a number of water baths to remove the caffeine. Then the water and caffeine are drawn off the tea and separated from one another using methylene chloride.

The water, caffeine and methylene chloride mixture is heated to evaporate the caffeine and methylene chloride, leaving the water and other extracted compounds. The water and left-over compounds are then reintroduced to the tea, thereby restoring some of the flavor lost in the extraction process. In this method, the methylene chloride never contacts the tea.

Ethyl acetate Ethyl acetate is another compound used to extract caffeine from tea. Ethyl acetate occurs naturally in tea leaves, coffee, bananas, and other types of produce. Therefore, it is considered naturally derived and its use in the decaffeination process is considered by many to be "natural."

FDA considers ethyl acetate to be GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe). While ethyl acetate effectively removes caffeine from tea leaves, it can also extract other chemical components as well. Studies on green tea decaffeinated with ethyl acetate have shown the potential for up to 30% of epigallocathechin gallate (EGCG-considered to be the primary beneficial component in green tea) and other beneficial antioxidant compounds to be extracted along with the caffeine.

Super critical carbon dioxide Super critical carbon dioxide (CO2) is the fancy name for using highly pressurized carbon dioxide—the gas that adds bubbles to mineral water—to dissolve caffeine from tea leaves. At pressures of 250 to 350 times atmospheric pressure, CO2 takes on the density of a liquid and the viscosity of a gas, making it an efficient solvent. In its pressurized state, CO2 is pumped into a sealed chamber containing tea, where it is allowed to circulate to remove the caffeine.

From there, it is pumped into a washer vessel where water or activated charcoal is used to separate the caffeine from the CO2. The purified CO2 is recirculated into the pressurized chamber. This process is repeated until the appropriate amount of caffeine has been removed.

Two of the major advantages of CO2 are that it does not leave a chemical residue and it has a minimal effect on the flavor and beneficial compounds inherent to the tea. For example, CO2 leaves intact approximately 95% of the original EGCG content of green tea. Sources: http://72.14.253.104/search?

Q=cache:Bf14KwZrI68J:wholefoodsmarket.com/healthinfo/decaftea.html+%22how+is+tea+decaffeinated%3F%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us .

Possibly from : Howstuffworks. Com Several methods are used to remove caffeine from its natural sources: Methylene chloride processing Ethyl acetate processing Carbon dioxide processing Water processing Methylene chloride is a chemical used as a solvent to extract caffeine from many raw materials. Molecules of caffeine bond to molecules of methylene chloride.

The materials are softened in a water bath or in steam. The next step is to process the materials with methylene chloride by either of two methods: Using the "direct" method, caffeine is removed by directly soaking the materials in methylene chloride. Using the "indirect" method, caffeine, which is water soluble, is extracted by soaking the materials in water.

Many of the flavors and oils are also extracted during this process, so the solution is treated with methylene chloride and then returned to the material for reabsorption of the flavorings. Ethyl acetate processed products are referred to as "naturally decaffeinated" because ethyl acetate is a chemical found naturally in many fruits. Caffeine is extracted in the same way as with methylene chloride processing, but ethyl acetate is the URL1 decaffeinate using carbon dioxide (CO2), water-softened materials are "pressure cooked" with the gas.

At high pressures and high temperatures, carbon dioxide is in a supercritical state, acting as both a gas and a liquid. It becomes a solvent with its small, nonpolar molecules attracting the small caffeine molecules. Since flavor molecules are larger, they remain intact, which is why this process retains the flavor of the material better.

Caffeine extraction with water is used primarily for coffee decaffeination. The process is similar to the "indirect" method used in methylene chloride processing, but no chemicals are used. After the caffeine is leached out of the material by soaking in hot water for a period of time, the solution is then passed through a carbon filter for caffeine removal.

The water is then returned to the beans for reabsorption of flavors and oils. In the "Swiss Water Process," the same method is used, but instead of soaking in water, the beans are soaked in a coffee-flavored solution. This results in the caffeine being extracted without removing the coffee flavors.

Tea is decaffeinated using carbon dioxide Caffeine occurs naturally in more than 60 plants, including: the arabica plant, which produces coffee beans the Theobroma cacao tree, which produces the beans that are the primary ingredient in chocolate. Kola nuts, which many cola drink products are made with the Thea sinensis plant, whose leaves are used for teas When separated from its sources, caffeine is a white, bitter-tasting powder. See How Caffeine Works for more information about caffeine.

Several methods are used to remove caffeine from its natural sources: Methylene chloride processing Ethyl acetate processing Carbon dioxide processing Water processing Methylene chloride is a chemical used as a solvent to extract caffeine from many raw materials. Molecules of caffeine bond to molecules of methylene chloride. The materials are softened in a water bath or in steam.

The next step is to process the materials with methylene chloride by either of two methods: Using the "direct" method, caffeine is removed by directly soaking the materials in methylene chloride. Using the "indirect" method, caffeine, which is water soluble, is extracted by soaking the materials in water. Many of the flavors and oils are also extracted during this process, so the solution is treated with methylene chloride and then returned to the material for reabsorption of the flavorings.

Ethyl acetate processed products are referred to as "naturally decaffeinated" because ethyl acetate is a chemical found naturally in many fruits. Caffeine is extracted in the same way as with methylene chloride processing, but ethyl acetate is the solvent. To decaffeinate using carbon dioxide (CO2), water-softened materials are "pressure cooked" with the gas.At high pressures and high temperatures, carbon dioxide is in a supercritical state, acting as both a gas and a liquid.

It becomes a solvent with its small, nonpolar molecules attracting the small caffeine molecules. Since flavor molecules are larger, they remain intact, which is why this process retains the flavor of the material better. Caffeine extraction with water is used primarily for coffee decaffeination.

The process is similar to the "indirect" method used in methylene chloride processing, but no chemicals are used. After the caffeine is leached out of the material by soaking in hot water for a period of time, the solution is then passed through a carbon filter for caffeine removal. The water is then returned to the beans for reabsorption of flavors and oils.

In the "Swiss Water Process," the same method is used, but instead of soaking in water, the beans are soaked in a coffee-flavored solution. This results in the caffeine being extracted without removing the coffee flavors. Caffeine is not removed completely using any of these methods, but under federal regulations in the United States, caffeine levels must not be above 2.5 percent of the product in order for a product to be labeled "decaffeinated.

" Most of the caffeine removed in processing is manufactured for use in other products, such as medicines and soft drinks. For example, less than 5 percent of the caffeine found in cola drinks is actually from the kola nut, and many of the popular "high caffeine" soft drinks do not contain kola nut extracts at all. The caffeine content of soft drinks is primarily, and sometimes completely, from the addition of caffeine extracted from decaffeination processes.

Sources: http://home.howstuffworks.com/question480.htm .

I really thought that caffine was something that was added to beverages and not taken out but when I saw this question I decided to look into it. And here is your answer, well part of it since I could not cut and paste the whole thing for some strange reason. How are coffee, tea and colas decaffeinated?

Caffeine occurs naturally in more than 60 plants, including: the arabica plant, which produces coffee beans the Theobroma cacao tree, which produces the beans that are the primary ingredient in chocolate. Kola nuts, which many cola drink products are made with the Thea sinensis plant, whose leaves are used for teas When separated from its sources, caffeine is a white, bitter-tasting powder. See How Caffeine Works for more information about caffeine.

Several methods are used to remove caffeine from its natural sources: Methylene chloride processing Ethyl acetate processing Carbon dioxide processing Water processing Methylene chloride is a chemical used as a solvent to extract caffeine from many raw materials. Molecules of caffeine bond to molecules of methylene chloride. The materials are softened in a water bath or in steam.

The next step is to process the materials with methylene chloride by either of two methods: Using the "direct" method, caffeine is removed by directly soaking the materials in methylene chloride. Using the "indirect" method, caffeine, which is water soluble, is extracted by soaking the materials in water. Many of the flavors and oils are also extracted during this process, so the solution is treated with methylene chloride and then returned to the material for reabsorption of the flavorings.

Ethyl acetate processed products are referred to as "naturally decaffeinated" because ethyl acetate is a chemical found naturally in many fruits. Caffeine is extracted in the same way as with methylene chloride processing, but ethyl acetate is the solvent. To decaffeinate using carbon dioxide (CO2), water-softened materials are "pressure cooked" with the gas.At high pressures and high temperatures, carbon dioxide is in a supercritical state, acting as both a gas and a liquid.

It becomes a solvent with its small, nonpolar molecules attracting the sma Sources: How stuff works. Com .

There are different processes for decaffeination. Three are in common use today: methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, and compressed CO2. In general, the processes using ethyl acetate (which is naturally occuring in tea leaves) and CO2 are safe but the process involving methylene chloride is less safe as it is a known carcinogen.

You can read more about these processes on this page:ratetea.net/topic/decaffeinated-tea/13/That site, RateTea, when possible, lists the decaffeination process. I run that site, and I've done my best to collect accurate data based on tea companies...but unfortunately most tea companies that use the methylene chloride process do not advertise it. I honestly think that in most cases, decaffeinated tea is not worth drinking.

I would strongly recommend herbal teas that are naturally caffeine-free as an alternative:ratetea.net/style/herbal-tea/6/They're not tea, and they don't taste exactly the same, but they also haven't had their flavor taken out by a chemical process. I tend to drink tea during the morning and afternoon, and then later in the day, I switch to herbal tea if I want a hot drink. Net/topic/decaffeinated-tea/13.

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" "coffee or tea what do you drink? Tim hortons coffee in the morning and Earl Grey tea at night for me." "Do you make chai tea at home? If so, how do you drink it?

" "i took a drink of old tea and relized it had mold in it, it had a lid on it. Will I get sick? " "How many boxes of tea do you have?

What do you do with tea that you bought & hate to drink?" "Green Tea -- I buy in quart bottles at Trader Joe's and drink instead of bottled water ..." "Is it safe to drink tea made of biodegradable silk like tea bags, I heard they are made of Nylon? " "Does anyone with IBS use Colpermin tablets? I drink peppermint tea, but would this be better?

Do you like tea or coffee best. Which one do you drink first thing in the morning and last thing at night?

Tim hortons coffee in the morning and Earl Grey tea at night for me.

I took a drink of old tea and relized it had mold in it, it had a lid on it. Will I get sick?

Green Tea -- I buy in quart bottles at Trader Joe's and drink instead of bottled water ...

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