How does twinings decaffeinate their tea?

Twinings uses a water-based decaffeination process for their decaffeinated teas. This method involves using activated carbon, a highly porous material that attracts and traps caffeine molecules. Here's how it works:

1. Extraction: The tea leaves are steeped in hot water, which extracts the caffeine along with other soluble compounds.

2. Filtration: The tea extract is then passed through a bed of activated carbon.

3. Caffeine Adsorption: The activated carbon absorbs the caffeine molecules, leaving the other flavor compounds in the tea.

4. Recovery and Decaffeination: The tea extract is then filtered again to remove the activated carbon, resulting in a decaffeinated tea.

This water-based method is considered gentle and preserves more of the natural flavors of the tea compared to other methods like solvent extraction. It also minimizes the use of harsh chemicals.

It's important to note that Twinings doesn't disclose specific details about their decaffeination process on their website or product labels. However, the water-based method is a common practice for decaffeinating tea.