How to Brew Decaf Tea Without Bitterness
Coffee habits, like boiling water and long extractions, are the usual reason decaf tea tastes harsh. The temperatures and steep times below come from tea-maker brewing guides and published tea research. For caffeine numbers, see how much caffeine is in decaf tea.
Quick Answer: Brewing Decaf Tea Without Bitterness
Brew decaf green tea with 70-80°C (158-176°F) water for about 2 minutes, and decaf black tea with freshly boiled water for 3-5 minutes. Hotter water and longer steeps make tea more bitter and astringent. Twinings lists 2 minutes for green tea and 3-5 minutes for black tea, adjusted to taste.
Decaf Tea Brewing Chart: Temperature and Steep Time
The decaf tea brewing chart below pairs Twinings steep times with the water temperatures that scored best for green tea in published sensory research. Decaf tea brews on the same schedule as its regular counterpart.
| Tea | Water | Steep time | If bitter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decaf green tea | 70-80°C (158-176°F) | 2 min | Cooler water, then a shorter steep |
| Decaf black tea | Freshly boiled water | 3-5 min | Drop to 3 min |
| Herbal (caffeine-free) | Freshly boiled water | 3-4 min | Shorten the steep |
Steep times and water guidance: Twinings. Green tea temperature: Longjing tea brewing-temperature study (PMC12181020).
Why Decaf Tea Tastes Bitter
Decaf tea tastes bitter for the same reason regular tea does: water that is too hot or a steep that runs too long. A study of Longjing green tea brewed at 70, 80, 90, and 100°C found that bitterness in standard-grade tea rose from 3.13 to 5.17 and astringency from 2.07 to 4.13 as the water got hotter, with 70-80°C giving the better cup. Standard-grade tea was more sensitive to hot water than premium tea.
The decaffeination process is not the cause of decaf tea bitterness. A 2022 study in Foods found supercritical CO2 decaffeination removed 87.2% of the catechins in green tea and decreased bitterness and astringency in both green and black tea. A bitter cup of decaf tea points back to water temperature and steep time.
How to Brew Decaf Green Tea
- Start with freshly drawn cold water, as Twinings advises.
- Heat the water to 70-80°C (158-176°F) rather than a full boil.
- Steep the decaf green tea bag or leaves for 2 minutes, then remove it completely.
- Taste. If the decaf green tea is still sharp, lower the water temperature before cutting the steep time.
How to Brew Decaf Black Tea
Decaf black tea is brewed with freshly drawn cold water brought to the boil. Twinings recommends a 3-5 minute steep for black tea, adjusted to taste, so start decaf black tea at 3 minutes. Twinings also advises against microwaving the water and against judging strength by color, because color arrives before flavor.
Coffee Habits That Make Decaf Tea Bitter
- Boiling water for decaf green tea. Green tea (the Longjing tea in the brewing-temperature study) scored better at 70-80°C than at 90-100°C, with 70°C scoring best, and decaf green tea brews on the same schedule.
- Long, forgotten steeps. Leaving a decaf tea bag in the mug past the 2 minute (green) or 3-5 minute (black) window keeps extracting. Set a timer.
- Brewing decaf tea by color. Twinings notes color comes faster than flavor, so a dark cup is not a finished cup.
Coffee drinkers making the same switch with coffee can see how to make decaf coffee taste better.
Decaf Tea Brewing FAQs
Why does my decaf tea taste bitter?
Decaf tea usually tastes bitter because the water is too hot or the tea steeped too long. A published sensory study of Longjing green tea found bitterness and astringency rose significantly as brewing water went from 70°C to 100°C.
What temperature should decaf green tea be brewed at?
Decaf green tea tastes smoothest brewed with water around 70-80°C (158-176°F), not boiling. Research on Longjing green tea found 70-80°C produced better taste than 90-100°C, and Twinings recommends a 2 minute steep for green tea.
How long should I steep decaf black tea?
Twinings recommends steeping black tea 3-5 minutes and adjusting the time to taste. Start decaf black tea at 3 minutes and extend only if the cup tastes weak.
Is decaf tea more bitter than regular tea?
No. A 2022 study in Foods found CO2 decaffeination lowered bitterness and astringency in both green and black tea made from the same leaves, so bitterness in a decaf cup points to brewing, not the decaf process.