Can Oolong Tea Be Decaffeinated?
The Oolong tea variety is prepared through semi-fermenting the tea leaves which were originally picked from Fujian, China. This traditional dark tea has been utilized for hundreds of years now with the main purpose of curing several health issues such as cardiovascular diseases and weight problems. Today, Oolong tea is now considered a supplementary medication to cancer treatments.
The most effective component of Oolong teas is the antioxidant polyphenol catechins – this is what’s responsible in treating health problems. Through the presence of antioxidants, free radical damage within the body system are prevented; hence, promoting general well-being.
In Chinese culture, teas are categorized according to length of oxidation. With Oolong tea, it is semi-oxidized or “clear tea”. When the tea is brewed, generally, it produces a sweet taste regardless of the process it underwent for brewing. Today, teas aren’t just for special occasions, they are also prepared to act as an aid to help alleviate digestive disorders and / or as an antioxidant agent.
Does Oolong tea have caffeine?
The level of Oolong tea caffeine is usually determined through the tea’s preparation technique. However, there are also a few other factors which can contribute to the overall quality of the drink, for instance, the frequency by which the tea was steeped, the number of leaves in every cup, the life span of the plant, and the specific location in which it was grown. The high quality kind, typically, contains 45 to 70 mg of caffeine in every 8oz cup.
How to lessen caffeine intake in Oolong tea?
If you want to sip along tea, but do not want to take in as much caffeine as the normal amount, you can do any of the following: reduce the portion of tea leaves used; don’t drink the first brewed pot; and, reduce the amount of brewing time used.
Is there decaf Oolong tea?
Regardless of your purpose, here is an easy DIY home decaffeination technique to lessen the amount of caffeine in each cup of Oolong tea:
- Place the loose tea leaves in a DIY tea bag or infuser. After, place the tea bag inside the brewing vessel. When everything is settled, cover it with a little boiling water, just enough to make the leaves wet.
- Allow the mixture to steep for exactly one minute. Right after, remove the tea bag and put the water away.
- With the same set of loose tea leaves, re-infuse it in heated water with just the right temperature for brewing and steeping. This time, allow it to brew and steep in the usual time span.
You have just prepared yourself a cup of tea with less caffeine. Just always bear in mind that minute amounts of caffeine is still present in the tea regardless of the decaffeinating process. Only the natural caffeine-free as well as fruit infusions completely lack it. It’s also worth taking note that the example above can diminish the aroma and flavor of the tea.
What are the benefits of decaffeinated Oolong tea?
- Tooth Decay: according to Osaka University’s Department of Dentistry, the regular consumption of Oolong tea could reduce the risk of developing tooth decay. This benefit can be attributed to the abundance of polyphenols in decaffeinated Oolong tea when compared with other kinds of tea. To be able to have a good set of teeth, drink at least 2 cups of decaffeinated Oolong tea each day.
- Weight management: once again, the polyphenols are found to be the most active component that can act against this issue. Decaffeinated Oolong tea can trigger a special enzyme which can dissolve triglycerides, which can result in catalyzed fat burning.
- Healthy skin: the decaffeinated polyphenols, also, has multiple skin benefits. They are helpful in eliminating free radicals, reducing skin damages such as age spots, sun spots and wrinkles.