A method for the production of decaffeinated tea

摘要

A method for the production of black tea having a reduced caffeine content which comprises: a) treating black tea with water to increase its moisture content and thereby break down caffeine complexes; b) extracting the treated tea with a low boiling halogenated hydrocarbon solvent for caffeine which is substantially saturated with flavour components of tea but which is not saturated with respect to caffeine; and c) separating the extracted tea from the solvent.