To offer black tea to guests who want to limit their caffeine intake, choose a product whose packaging is clearly labelled ‘decaffeinated’ or ‘tea-decaffeinated’: classic English Breakfast tea does not meet this need. Then check the ingredients and packaging of the product you plan to serve. An herbal infusion can complement the buffet for guests who prefer to avoid caffeine, but it does not have the same flavour profile as black tea.
They need a black tea labelled as decaffeinated or tea-decaffeinated, clearly distinguished from ordinary breakfast tea. The wording on the product should not be turned into a promise that it contains no caffeine at all.
The number of tea bags, how they are presented and the information visible on the box all matter when organising the buffet and restocking, as well as the choice of drink.
They want to cater for guests who are mainly looking for an English Breakfast-style black tea, without presenting it as decaffeinated.
Choose this: if guests want to enjoy black tea while limiting their caffeine intake.
Bear in mind: the term ‘tea-decaffeinated’ does not, on its own, prove that the product contains no caffeine at all.
Choose this: for guests asking for a breakfast black tea who are not looking for a decaffeinated option.
Bear in mind: it should remain distinct from the option described as decaffeinated.
Add this: for guests who want to avoid caffeine rather than enjoy the taste of black tea, after checking the chosen blend.
Bear in mind: an infusion is not black tea and should be presented under its own name.
| Criteria | What to check | Guests concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Limiting caffeine | Read the name of the exact product; check any ‘caffeine-free’ claim with the manufacturer. | To serve black tea to guests who are limiting their caffeine intake, I want to be able to identify the decaffeinated box unambiguously. Around 42% of the guests concerned would make this their top priority. |
| Serving and restocking | Check the number of tea bags, whether they are individually wrapped and the supply arrangements. | When the buffet needs frequent restocking, I prefer portions that are easy to display and a format suited to service. This would be the top priority for around 33% of the guests concerned. |
| Breakfast tea profile | Compare the blend ingredients and follow the brewing instructions for each product. | If my guests mainly ask for English Breakfast, I keep a classic black tea clearly separate from the other options. Around 25% of the guests concerned would prioritise this profile. |
The English Breakfast blends described by Twinings and Kusmi Tea are black teas; their name does not mean they are decaffeinated.
Keep them as breakfast options, and reserve the ‘decaffeinated’ label for a product whose packaging states this explicitly.
Auchan describes Lipton Thé du Soir as a tea-decaffeinated black tea, but this product name does not specify its residual caffeine content.
Use the exact wording on the packaging. If you need to tell guests the precise caffeine content, ask your supplier for the product specification sheet.
The number of tea bags in a box does not tell you whether each one is individually wrapped or whether the format suits your buffet display.
Before ordering, confirm the packaging of your chosen product and the restocking arrangements with your supplier.
A product to consider for a tea-decaffeinated black tea option: Auchan lists Lipton Thé du Soir under this description.
A brand to consider if you want to keep a classic breakfast black tea on the buffet.
Another option for a breakfast black tea that is distinct from the decaffeinated choice.
A retailer where you can compare classic black tea formats, depending on the store.
A retailer to consider when comparing bagged black teas.
These two products offer complementary breakfast options: a classic English Breakfast black tea and an infusion. To offer decaffeinated black tea, choose a separate product whose packaging carries this label.
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Keep a breakfast black tea option on the buffet, separate from the decaffeinated choice.
Box of 25 tea bags. Check the information on the packaging supplied before presenting it to guests as a decaffeinated option.
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An infusion to offer alongside black tea, without presenting it as English Breakfast.
Box of 30 tea bags. If you are offering it to guests who want to avoid caffeine, check the ingredients and the information on the packaging supplied.
No: the term ‘tea-decaffeinated’ is not enough to establish that it contains no caffeine at all. Auchan describes Lipton Thé du Soir as tea-decaffeinated black tea; to state a precise caffeine content or claim that it is caffeine-free, rely on the information for the specific product you serve.
Some guests want to limit their caffeine intake throughout the day, even when choosing a morning drink. A black tea explicitly labelled as decaffeinated gives them that choice without confusing it with a request for classic English Breakfast.
First check the name and ingredients of the product actually supplied, then the number of tea bags and how they are packaged. For prepacked food sold in France, the DGCCRF reminds businesses that labelling must clearly inform consumers and be written in French; also check the information on the packaging you make available to guests.