You are here:
Chemistry (including Biochemistry)/Caffeine
Advertisement
Question
A co-worker told me that one can get all the caffeine out of a tea bag by dunking it in hot water. She says she does this, throws away the tea from those first dunks, and then uses the bag again to make decaffeinated tea. Does this really work?
First, no tea is truly decaffinated. Commercially, I believe that if there is less than 2.5% of the start level, it can be called decaffinated. Most are much better than that. As far as the water goes with your tea, what you get is "less" caffinated tea. I would guess you get rid of 50-75%. You also loose much of the flavor also. Read the article linked below on the swedish water process. They use water (8 hours!) to remove caffine and flavor, then separate those in another process, then put the flavor back or the coffee has none. So while you remove caffine with your first cup of water, you also remove the flavor. If you can only use the bag once, you are better off buying decaffinated tea to begin with.
http://home.howstuffworks.com/question480.htm
http://home.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=question480.htm&url=http://www.s...
- Add to this Answer
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Dr. Boyter, Thanks for your quick reply. It sounded a bit fishy to me that one could get rid of caffeine that easily, so I appreciate the answer. I do drink decaffeinated tea, but thought this would be a good idea if I was ever at a restaurant where they didn't have it. Thanks, again. Laura Heagy | ||
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Dr. Henry Boyter, Jr.
Expertise
No homework, biochemistry, or other schoolwork! The question will be rejected. If you have not searched www.google.com, do so before posting. If you are a student, give your grade and course. Everyone, explain the purpose and context for the question.
Experience in the area
Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.
Experience
Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.
Education/Credentials
PhD, MS, BS in Chemistry
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.