How does twinings decaffeinate their tea?

Answer 1

Twinings decaffeinates their tea using a process called the ethyl acetate method. In this method, the tea leaves are steamed to open their pores, then rinsed with ethyl acetate to remove caffeine. Ethyl acetate is a solvent that selectively binds to caffeine molecules, leaving the other compounds in the tea intact. The tea leaves are then dried to remove any remaining solvent, resulting in decaffeinated tea.

Answer 2

There are generally three methods to decaffeinating tea and coffee. Those methods are by using organic chemical solvents, using carbon dioxide or by using what is referred to as the Swiss water method.

Answer 3

Both tea and coffee are decaffeinated by using solvents to extract the caffeine (which is then crystallized and sold for use in other beverages and over the counter pills). Many different solvents have been used. One of the first was methylene chloride (also used as paint stripper), but this was banned when it was determined to be a carcinogen. Another process using water was developed in Switzerland, called the Swiss water decaffeination process.

Twinings teas are decaffeinated using a mixture of water and liquid carbon dioxide, a natural substance which leaves no residue in the decaffeinated tea.