Best Decaf Tea UK in 2021!
If you are looking for a collection of the best decaf tea available to buy right now, you have come to the right place!
You may be sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or are just looking to enjoy your favourite tea throughout the day, finding the best decaf tea can be a challenge.
Most of the brands out there do not openly advertise how they decaffeinate their tea, where it comes from, how fresh it is and more.
So, to help you make a decision and buy the best decaf tea on the market, we have put together a handy guide to guide you through the entire process.
If you are looking for an energy efficient kettle or a hot water dispenser, we have got your covered too!
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The Best Decaf Tea UK
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Recommended Products
- Organic
- 0.2% Caffeine
- Biodegradable tea bags
- Rainforest alliance
- 0.2% Caffeine
- Methylene Chloride decaf process
- 50% of profiles help educated children.
- High Grade Leaf
- CO2 Decaffeinated
- 2019 Great Taste Award
- 0.2% Caffeine
- Fairtrade Company
An Indepth Look At The Best Decaf Tea
Clipper, Organic Decaf Everyday Tea
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Clipper, Organic Decaf Everyday Tea Review
Clipper prides themselves are only filling their tea bags with the very best organic ingredients. None of their tea’s contain anything artificial or anything that could/has harmed the environment.
The taste of this tea is perfect if brewed for the correct amount of time. You will struggle to taste the difference between this tea and their ordinary variety of tea. If you are looking for organic decaf tea, with unbleached tea bags and minimal packaging, then the clipper organic decaf everyday tea is the one for you and a great addition to our list of the best decaf tea.
Decaffeination process: The decaffeination process used for clipper organic decaf everyday tea is the carbon dioxide process.
How to Brew the perfect Clipper Organic decaf tea: Using fresh water, boil your kettle and place your clipper tea bag in your favourite mug. Once boiled, pour over the clipper tea bag and allow the tea to brew for about 5 minutes. Once it’s done remove the tea bag and then it’s up to you whether you want to add milk or sugar.
Tetley Decaf Tea
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Tetley Decaf Tea Review
Tetley tea is a family favourite tea that is loved up and down the UK. It’s only right that the decaf variety shapes up to be just as good as the original. Boasting a strong brew, this decaf tea is certainly one that should be in your cupboard.
If you live in a location with harder water, then Tetley decaf tea might be the answer to your prayers. The bag itself comes with a resealable top to keep your tea bags nice and fresh.
Decaffeination process: The decaffeination process used for Tetley decaf tea is the ethyl acetate process.
How to Brew the perfect Tetley decaf tea: Using fresh water, boil your kettle and place your Tetley tea bag in your favourite mug. Once boiled, pour over the Tetley tea bag and allow the tea to brew for about 3 minutes. Once it’s done remove the tea bag and then it’s up to you whether you want to add milk or sugar.
Yorkshire Tea Bedtime Brew
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Yorkshire Tea Bedtime Brew Review
Yorkshire Tea Bedtime Brew has been crafted specifically for bedtime occasions. It combined the usual Yorkshire tea we have grown to know and love with lemon balm and nutmeg. The result is a great tasting cup of tea that, being decaffeinated, will not keep you up all night! Starting in 1886 in Harrogate, Yorkshire tea takes their tea very seriously and this bedtime brew is no exception. A great addition to our list of the best decaf tea for sure!
Decaffeination process: The decaffeination process used for Yorkshire Tea Bedtime Brew is the Methylene Chloride process.
How to Brew the perfect Yorkshire Tea Bedtime Brew: Using fresh water, boil your kettle and place your Yorkshire Tea Bedtime Brew tea bag in your favourite mug. Once boiled, pour over the Yorkshire Tea Bedtime Brew tea bag and allow the tea to brew for about 6 minutes. Once it’s done remove the tea bag and then it’s up to you whether you want to add milk or sugar.
Twinings English Breakfast Decaf Tea
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Twinings English Breakfast Decaf Tea Review
Twinings have built an incredible reputation for making high-quality, great tasting tea for the people of Britain since 1706. Their decaf english breakfast is a wonder to behold. The master blenders over at twinings have spent a considerable amount of time searching for the best quality teas from Assam, Ceylon and Kenya and balancing them all together to create a truly unique cup of tea.
Each cup of Twinings English Breakfast decaf tea contains tea from 15 different gardens worldwide. We challenge you to taste this decaf tea next to the original and see if you can taste the difference – We certainly couldn’t! This brew from twinings truly deserves a spot on our list of the best decaf tea.
Decaffeination process: The decaffeination process used for Twinings English Breakfast decaf tea is the ethyl acetate method process.
How to Brew the perfect Twinings English Breakfast decaf tea: Using fresh water, boil your kettle and place your Twinings English Breakfast tea bag in your favourite mug. Once boiled, pour over the Twinings English Breakfast tea bag and allow the tea to brew for about 4 minutes. Once it’s done remove the tea bag and then it’s up to you whether you want to add milk or sugar.
PG Tips Decaf
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PG Tips Decaf Review
Cheap and cheerful. Those two words are perfect when summing up PG Tips. Their decaf tea is no exception. Whilst this tea is good value and packs a decent enough flavour profile, it is quite concerning to see their decaffeination process.
Although they do not directly list their decaf process on their website, according to this source, they use a solvent called Dichloromethane to extract the caffeine from the tea leaves. This solvent is a known carcinogen and is linked to causing cancer itself. Avoid these tea bags if you can.
Decaffeination process: The decaffeination process used for Twinings English Breakfast decaf tea is the Dichloromethane method process. Dichloromethane is a carcinogen and can be considered quite dangerous.
How to Brew the perfect PG Tips Decaf tea: Using fresh water, boil your kettle and place your PG Tips Decaf tea bag in your favorite mug. Once boiled, pour over the PG Tips Decaf tea bag and allow the tea to brew for about 3 minutes. Once it’s done remove the tea bag and then it’s up to you whether you want to add milk or sugar.
Yorkshire Decaf Tea
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Yorkshire Decaf Tea Review
Just as good as the original we all know and love but without the caffeine. That’s the best way to describe the Yorkshire decaf tea variety. Those Yorkshire lads have spent years crafting a special blend of teas that don’t lose their character despite losing their caffeinated status.
For a flavour-packed brew and truly one of the best decaf teas on our list, choose Yorkshire.
Decaffeination process: The decaffeination process used for Yorkshire Decaf Tea is the Methylene Chloride process.
How to Brew the perfect Yorkshire Decaf Tea: Using fresh water, boil your kettle and place your Yorkshire Decaf Tea bag in your favourite mug. Once boiled, pour over the Yorkshire Decaf Tea bag and allow the tea to brew for about 4 minutes. Once it’s done remove the tea bag and then it’s up to you whether you want to add milk or sugar.
Clipper Decaf Green Tea
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Clipper Decaf Green Tea Review
If you are looking for a great tasting, flawless green tea that is also decaffeinated, then look no further. The clipper decaf green tea is the perfect addition to any cupboard and will brighten up your day from the very first sip.
Decaffeination process: The decaffeination process used for Clipper Decaf Green Tea is the carbon dioxide process
How to Brew the perfect Clipper Decaf Green Tea: Using fresh water, boil your kettle and place your Clipper Decaf Green Tea bag in your favourite mug. Once boiled, pour over the Clipper Decaf Green Tea bag and allow the tea to brew for about 4 minutes. Once it’s done remove the tea bag and then it’s up to you whether you want to add honey or sugar.
The Tea Masters Loose Leaf Decaf English Breakfast Tea
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The Tea Masters Loose Leaf Decaf English Breakfast Tea Review
The first loose leaf tea entry on our list of the best decaf tea is the tea masters loose leaf decaf English breakfast tea. This well rounded tea provides a satisfying experience without the unnecessary hit of caffeine.
The tea used in this blend of black tea comes straight from Sri Lanka and has a bright brown liquor appearance when brewed.
Decaffeination process: The decaffeination process used for The Tea Masters Loose Leaf Decaf English Breakfast Tea is the Carbon Dioxide method process.
How to Brew the perfect The Tea Masters Loose Leaf Decaf English Breakfast Tea: Using fresh water, boil your kettle and place around 1tsp of loose leaf tea in your infuser. Place your infuser into your mug and fill with boiling water. Brew for about 5 minutes and remove the infuser. Add milk & sugar to suit your taste.
Tea People Decaf English Breakfast
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- 50% of profiles help educated children.
- High Grade Leaf
- CO2 Decaffeinated
Tea People Decaf English Breakfast Review
Using only the finest tea leaves from Sri Lanka, the Tea people have crafted a wonderful blend of decaffeinated tea that is worthy of a spot on our list of the best decaf tea. By using the Carbon dioxide decaffeination process, they are not only doing their bit for the environment, but they are also retaining the deep flavour profiles of each of the tea leaves they are using.
Plus, it comes in a nice looking tin. What else do you want really?
Decaffeination process: The decaffeination process used for Tea People Decaf English Breakfast is the Carbon Dioxide method process.
How to Brew the perfect Tea People Decaf English Breakfast tea: Using fresh water, boil your kettle and place around 1tsp of loose leaf tea in your infuser. Place your infuser into your mug and fill with boiling water. Brew for about 5 minutes and remove the infuser. Add milk & sugar to suit your taste.
Brew Tea Company CO2 Decaffeinated Ceylon Tea
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Brew Tea Company CO2 Decaffeinated Ceylon Tea Review
Founded in Manchester, Brew Tea Company pride themselves on bringing delicious, quality tea to everyone. They use hand-plucked tea leaves from the very top of the plant and after the drying process is complete, they are left as intact as possible before being rolled gently together instead of being chopped.
The result of all this is a great tasting tea that is perfect for all occasions. With this tea we found a little extra brewing time does not got a miss as the recommended 3-5 minutes left us with a bit of a weak brew.
Decaffeination process: The decaffeination process used for Brew Tea Company CO2 Decaffeinated Ceylon Tea method process.
How to Brew the perfect Brew Tea Company CO2 Decaffeinated Ceylon Tea: Using fresh water, boil your kettle and place around 1tsp of loose leaf tea in your infuser. Place your infuser into your mug and fill with boiling water. Brew for about 6 minutes and remove the infuser. Add milk & sugar to suit your taste.
Frequently Asked Questions About the best decaf tea
Is decaf tea good for you?
It all depends on the type of tea you are drinking as they all have their difference pros and cons. However, generally, with decaf tea you obtain all of the advantages that come with drinking regular tea, without the disadvantage of consuming too much caffeine.
What is the strongest decaf tea?
Decaf or caffeinated, the strength of any tea will depend on how long you brew it for. So if you are looking for the strongest decaf tea, then brew your tea for an extended period of time.
What teas are naturally decaffeinated?
The following teas are naturally decaffeinated:
- Chamomile
- Ginger
- Peppermint
- Cinnamon
- Lemon
- Hibiscus
- Maca
- Passionflower
- Rooibos
- Rose Hib
- Sage
Does decaf tea have any side effects?
Decaf tea still includes a trace amount of caffeine in it. Caffeine can have numerous side effects on the body and mind including; interruption of sleep cycle, nausea, upset stomach, acid reflux, migraines, etc.
Interestingly, a study performed by the Linus Pauling institute that spanned 11 years and involved 263,923 people found that the consumption of decaffeinated tea may be responsible for increasing the risk of depression in adults.
How much decaf tea can you drink in a day?
Drinking decaf tea shouldn’t be bad for you because it does not have a dehydrating effect like coffee or caffeinated tea. However like anything in life, you have to consume it in moderation. Even decaf tea has trace amounts of caffeine and if you drink enough, you will start to feel the effects of the caffeine, particularly if you are sensitive to it. We’d recommend sticking to a maximum of 6 or 7 cups of decaf tea per day.
Can decaf tea raise blood pressure?
No decaffeinated tea should not raise your blood pressure unless you were to drink around 50 cups in an hour or something as absurd as that. As it’s caffeine that is often responsible for dramatically increasing your blood pressure, the tiny amount that is left in decaffeinated beverages should not cause a spike.
How is Tea Decaffeinated?
There are actually 4 different ways in which you can decaffeinate tea. These four primary methods include:
Carbon dioxide – This is the most widespread method used in today’s world and is said to be the best for preserving the tea’s natural flavour. The way in which it works is as follows: Pressurised liquid carbon dioxide is used to attract the small caffeine molecules out of the tea leaves. This leaves behind the larger molecules within the tea leaves which are responsible for the flavour of the tea.
Methylene Chloride – The safety behind this method of decaffeinate tea is currently in question as by itself, methylene chloride is unfit for human consumption. However, by soaking the tea leaves in the Methylene Chloride, the liquid bonds with the caffeine molecules found in the tea. You can then strain out the tea leaves, leaving the vast majority of the caffeine behind.
Water Processing – Water processing is widely used in making decaffeinated coffee, however, the process does in fact work for tea too. Using hot water the caffeine and flavour is extracted from the tea and filtered through the carbon filter which catches and holds the caffeine molecules. You then return the now flavour water to the tea leaves and allow the tea leaves to soak their flavour back up.
Ethyl Acetate – Ethyl Acetate is found naturally in tea leaves and certain fruits around the world. By soaking tea leaves in this substance, the caffeine molecules will once again bond with the Acetate and result in decaffeinated tea leaves. It is thought that this method of decaffeination does decay the flavour of tea.
Will decaf tea keep me awake?
Despite going through a decaffeination process, it is likely that your decaffeinated tea still has a small amount of caffeine in it. However, the tiny amount of caffeine left in decaffeinated tea should be so inconsequential that it should not keep you awake and you should be able to sleep soundly. It’s worth checking your tea however, as the caffeine content will vary from make to make.
Best Decaf Tea Buying Guide
Tea Type
There 5 basic different kinds of tea that are readily available to us:
Black – This is the most common type of tea. It is full oxidised, dark in colour and often strong in taste.
Green – Green tea is unoxidized and often more subtle in it’s flavor profile. It contains a high level of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals making it one of the favourite tea’s amongst the health & fitness community.
Oolong – Oolong is a semi-oxidized tea that is golden/light brown in colour. Out of all of these teas, Oolong has the most delicate of flavour profiles.
White – White tea is pretty much not processed at all and therefore, has a much lighter colour and taste. Naturally, the caffeine content is lower but the level of antioxidants is quite high.
Herbal – Herbal teas often contain no caffeine whatsoever and that is purely because they are not made from the camellia sinensis plant as most teas are. They are instead made from dried flowers, seeds, leaves or roots which are naturally caffeine free.
Tea Origin
Where exactly your tea has come from is an important thing to consider before making a purchase. Tea is grown around the world, in fact, 62 out of the 195 countries on planet earth have one or more tea regions.
The four biggest countries producing tea in the 21st century are China, Sri Lanka, India & Kenya. Together they represent 75% of the total world’s production of tea. Every country in the world has its own unique taste. Africa is known famously for it’s black loose leaf tea, China for it’s white tea, Sri Lanka for it’s Ceylon tea and India for it’s Darjeeling tea.
Elevation
The elevation in which the tea was grown can have a huge impact on the overall flavour profile of the tea. For a more sweeter tasting tea you need tea plants that have received a large amount of water during their growing process. For this, you will want tea that’s been grown at a higher altitude. This is because the temperature will be lower and the amount of rainfall received will be much higher.
If you are after a more bitter-tasting tea, then going after tea grown at a lower altitude will be your best bet.
Organic
Organic tea is, in most cases, free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides & fertilizers. The tea itself actually helps maintain the neutrality of the soil and relies solely on the local climate and ecological processes. If organic decaf tea is within your price range, then we’d recommend choosing that!
Freshness
In most cases, both loose leaf tea and tea bags will start to lose it’s flavour around the 2 year mark. This is because the phytochemicals, also known as flavonoids, start to degrade. Make sure to keep your tea away from sunlight, moisture and direct heat. We’d recommend not buying too much tea all at once if you only plan on having a cup or two a day.
Loose Leaf vs Tea bags
You might have thought that tea bags just contain loose leaf tea that is contained within a perishable bag. Well, you’d be wrong. Whilst tea bags are easy to brew, have a consistent flavour and are often cheaper, most of the tea leaves found within tea bags are the dust and leftovers of larger, more flavour full tea leaves.
Loose leaf tea will provide a much more flavoursome cuppa combined with wonderful aromas. However, loose leaf tea often takes a lot longer to make & brew than your humble tea bag. So, if convenience is important to you, then you should opt for the tea bag approach, however, if you have the time and want to enjoy a proper, flavoursome cup of tea each morning, then we’d recommend the loose leaf tea.
Conclusion
If, like us, you spend more time in the day drinking tea rather than doing actual work, then investing in some high-quality decaf tea is the way to go. The best thing to do is to buy a couple of different kinds of decaf tea and experiment with them to find your absolute favorite. Combine this with the best hot water dispenser and you will be able to brew tea till your heart’s content!
Andy
Ever since I started cooking I’ve been fascinated by how different people’s techniques are and how they best utilise the ingredients around them. Even the person living next door will have their own unique way of frying an egg or cooking a salmon fillet.
This fascination led me on a journey across the globe to discover the countless practices and traditions the world of cooking has to offer. I thought you’d enjoy and find value in sharing that journey with me so I created Cooked Best!