Black tea lovers cutting back on caffeine in the evening
You’d like to enjoy a cup of black tea after dinner. Look for a product explicitly labelled as decaffeinated, rather than relying on a flavour name or the appearance of the drink.
Who are these options for?
Holidaymakers making drinks for a group
In a temporary kitchen, individual tea bags can make it easier to get the right amount if there’s no strainer or teapot. Do check the brewing instructions for the drink you choose.
Those happy to switch to a different evening drink
If keeping the taste of black tea isn’t essential, you could try rooibos or an herbal infusion. Check the ingredients in any blends: these drinks aren’t decaffeinated black tea.
What should you look for before buying?
Decaffeinated black tea
Choose this if: you want black tea and can find a product clearly labelled “decaffeinated”.
Bear in mind: the label must apply to the specific product you’re buying; a flavour or name suggesting an evening drink is no substitute.
Rooibos or herbal infusion
Choose this if: you’re happy with a drink other than black tea and choose a product whose ingredients suit your needs.
Bear in mind: the taste and ingredients will be different. Check the ingredients in a blend rather than assuming it contains no tea.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine in the evening | If you want to stick with black tea, look for “decaffeinated” on the specific product. For a blend, read the ingredients list. | After dinner, I want to limit caffeine rather than choose a regular black tea out of habit; this would be the priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Taste of black tea | Check whether the product contains black tea, whether it’s flavoured, and whether it is separately labelled “decaffeinated”. | I want the familiar taste of black tea, even if that leaves me with fewer evening options; around 33% of consumers would put this factor first. |
| Making drinks in a holiday rental | Compare tea bags and loose-leaf tea based on the equipment available, then check the instructions for the product you choose. | Without knowing what the kitchen is equipped with, I’d rather be able to make several cups easily; simplicity would be the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Assuming flavoured black tea is decaffeinated
Earl Grey is still black tea if its recipe contains black tea: bergamot doesn’t remove the caffeine. Anses says caffeine can affect how easily you fall asleep and the quality of your sleep, with sensitivity varying from person to person.
If you want a cup of black tea in the evening, check that the pack or product listing for the exact item says “decaffeinated”.
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Buying loose-leaf tea without checking the kitchen
You’ll need something to strain loose tea leaves. If your rental only has cups and a kettle, making loose-leaf tea may be less straightforward than using individual tea bags.
Check what equipment the rental provides and read the product instructions before choosing a format.
If there’s no strainer, you’ll need to bring or get one to use loose-leaf tea.
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Relying on an online category to plan your shopping locally
A category page might show black tea, rooibos and herbal infusions without confirming what’s available at the store you’ll use during your stay.
Select the relevant store or delivery address, then check the product name, ingredients and format for each item before ordering.
Brands and retailers to know
These examples can help you tell black tea apart from other drinks. A brand’s inclusion here doesn’t mean the product mentioned is decaffeinated.
Twinings
Twinings describes its Original Earl Grey as black tea flavoured with bergamot.
- The brand provides brewing instructions for this tea-bag product.
- Original Earl Grey isn’t described here as decaffeinated. If that’s what you’re looking for, search for a separate product carrying that label.
Lipton
Carrefour France listings include Lipton black teas such as Yellow Label.
- The products shown make it possible to compare different black tea options.
- Being described as “black tea” isn’t enough to establish that a product is decaffeinated.
Kusmi Tea
Kusmi Tea describes Earl Grey Intense as black tea with bergamot and lemon, in a box of 20 muslin tea bags.
- Tea bags mean you won’t need to strain loose leaves.
- Don’t mistake this flavoured tea for black tea explicitly labelled as decaffeinated.
Carrefour
Carrefour France’s range separates black teas, rooibos and herbal infusions.
- These categories make it easier to compare black tea with a drink made from different ingredients.
- Check the product listing and availability for the location where you’re staying.
E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc has a section for herbal teas, teas and infusions.
- This section can help you find an infusion to go alongside your tea.
- Check the product name and availability at the store you plan to visit.
Rooibos tea bags on Joybuy
These two rooibos tea-bag options are suitable if you’re happy to choose a drink other than black tea for evenings in a holiday rental. They aren’t a like-for-like substitute for decaffeinated black tea.
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Lipton Feel Good Selection Rooibos, 25 tea bags
A tea-bag option for making rooibos during your stay instead of decaffeinated black tea.
Pack size: 25 tea bags. Check the pack for brewing instructions.
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DAMMANN FRERES Citrus Rooibos, 24 tea bags, 48 g
A citrus rooibos in tea bags for anyone who doesn’t need to keep the taste of black tea.
Pack size: 24 tea bags, 48 g. Check the ingredients and brewing instructions on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is flavoured Earl Grey automatically decaffeinated?
No. The Original Earl Grey featured by Twinings contains black tea and bergamot flavouring; the flavouring doesn’t mean the tea is decaffeinated. If you’re looking for decaffeinated black tea, check that the product you’re buying is labelled as such.
How do you make tea from a tea bag in a holiday rental?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought. For its classic Original Earl Grey, Twinings recommends 200 ml of water at 95 °C and three minutes of brewing. Don’t automatically apply these instructions to a different tea, particularly a decaffeinated one.
Can rooibos replace decaffeinated black tea in the evening?
Yes, if you’re happy to switch to a different drink and taste, but rooibos isn’t decaffeinated black tea. If you’re choosing a flavoured product or blend, read its ingredients list first.