On Feb 11, 8:21*am, Nigel > wrote:
> On Feb 8, 3:55*pm, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
>
> > Nigel > wrote:
> > >Consider this - if Lipton et al could find a
> > >cheap, fast (dare I say 30 second) method to decaffeinate their tea do
> > >you think they would keep on using a solvent method that takes 4 to 6
> > >hours and roughly doubles their cost of production? *No, neither do I..
>
> > What solvent ARE they using?
>
> I believe Lipton are using the supercritical CO2 method. *Three
> organic solvents conmmonly used for decaffeinatiing tea a
>
> 1. ethyl acetate - inflammable and leaves a fruity taste. *Removes up
> to 80% of AOX along with the caffeine
> 2. supercritical CO2 - typically at temperatures between 32 degrees C
> and 49 degrees C and pressure up to 3,500 psi. Expensive but does a
> clean job stripping caffeine at the expense of only 15% AOXs
> 3. methylene chloride - nasty to handle (also used to clean paint
> brushes). *Not allowed in tea decaff in USA though OK for coffee
> decaff and for tea in rest of world. Strips about 20% AOX when used on
> made tea but gives a good quality decaff product when used during the
> primary tea manufacture (after fermenting and before firing).
>
> Seehttp://chadao.blogspot.com/for more tea caffeine information
>
> Nigel at Teacraft

Thanks, Nigel............I've adhered to Michael's advice here and
been drinking later infusions. That way, I still get to enjoy rather
good teas and I've been sleeping well.
Shen