Caffeine Free Tea in Australia: The Complete Guide
Share
Caffeine free tea is any tea made without the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). Rooibos, peppermint, hibiscus, chamomile and most other herbal blends contain no caffeine at all. Black, green, white and oolong tea all contain caffeine, including decaf versions, which still keep a small amount.
Whether you're cutting back, pregnant, sensitive to caffeine or just want a cup at 9pm that won't keep you up, here's what to know.
Caffeine free and decaf are not the same thing
Caffeine free means the drink never had caffeine to begin with. Herbal teas (technically called tisanes) are made from flowers, roots, leaves, spices and fruit that don't contain caffeine.
Decaf means caffeine was removed from something that naturally has it. The process removes most of it but not all. Under US rules, decaffeination has to cut caffeine by at least 97%, and a 2006 study found decaf drinks typically kept 1 to 2% of their original caffeine, though occasionally up to 20%. Wikipedia
If you need zero caffeine, choose a herbal tea over a decaf black tea.
How much caffeine is in your cup?
For context, a 200 ml cup of brewed coffee has about 90 mg of caffeine, decaf coffee still has about 4 mg per 200 ml cup and a standard 250 ml cup of black tea has around 28 mg. Other estimates put it higher, with a 5 oz (about 150 ml) cup of bag or leaf tea at 30 mg. Strength depends on how long you brew it. Euficnih
| Drink | Approximate caffeine |
|---|---|
| Brewed coffee (200 ml) | 90 mg |
| Black tea (250 ml) | 28 to 50 mg |
| Decaf coffee (200 ml) | 4 mg |
| Decaf black tea | Small amount |
| Herbal tea (rooibos, peppermint, hibiscus) | 0 mg |
In Australia, the Food Standards Code doesn't set limits for naturally occurring caffeine in tea and coffee, and levels won't normally exceed 100 mg in a standard serving. Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Naturally caffeine free teas worth knowing
Rooibos. A South African red bush with a naturally sweet, slightly nutty flavour. It's the closest caffeine free swap for black tea and handles a splash of milk well.
Peppermint. Clean, cooling and one of the most popular herbal teas in the world. Good after meals.
Hibiscus. Deep red, tart and fruity. Great hot or poured over ice.
Chamomile. Mild, floral and honey-like. The classic evening tea.
Passionflower. Gentle, grassy and earthy. Traditionally used for relaxation and usually blended with other herbs. Read our passionflower guide.
Lemon balm. A lemony member of the mint family.
Ginger, cinnamon and liquorice root. Warming spices and roots that add body and natural sweetness to blends.
Teas that sound herbal but contain caffeine
Watch for these when you're avoiding caffeine:
Green tea and matcha come from the same plant as black tea. Chai is usually made with black tea. Yerba mate and guayusa are not from the tea plant but naturally contain caffeine. Some "wellness" blends mix green tea with herbs, so always check the ingredient list.
When to drink caffeine free tea
The 3pm slump. Swapping your afternoon coffee for a herbal tea gives you the ritual of a hot drink without caffeine sitting in your system at bedtime.
The evening wind-down. A warm, caffeine free cup after dinner is an easy signal to your day that it's time to slow down.
All day. If you're cutting caffeine completely, rotating two or three herbal blends keeps things interesting.
MOOD's caffeine free blends
All four of our herbal blends are naturally caffeine free.
Sweet Lullaby: rooibos, skullcap root, liquorice and vanilla. Smooth, sweet and made for evenings.
Be Kind, Unwind: peppermint, cinnamon, passionflower, fennel, ginger and linden flower. Cooling with a warm finish.
Happy Days: hibiscus, apple, rosehip, ginger and ashwagandha root. Tart, fruity and good iced.
Get On Up: cinnamon, lemon balm, pineapple, Siberian ginseng and clove. Bright and spicy for the afternoon.
Want caffeine in the morning? Jolly Good is 100% Australian black tea from the Daintree.
Each blend comes in a box (10 bags), tin (50), pouch (50) or XL pouch (100). If you drink one daily, a subscription means you won't run out.
FAQs
Is herbal tea caffeine free?
Most herbal teas are naturally caffeine free. The exceptions are blends containing green tea, black tea, yerba mate or guayusa, so check the ingredients.
Does rooibos have caffeine?
No. Rooibos comes from a South African shrub, not the tea plant, so it's naturally caffeine free.
Is decaf tea caffeine free?
No. Decaf tea has most of its caffeine removed but still contains a small amount.
What's the best caffeine free substitute for English Breakfast?
Rooibos is the closest match. It's full-bodied, slightly sweet and works with milk.
Can I drink caffeine free tea while pregnant?
Some herbal ingredients, including liquorice root and passionflower, are not recommended during pregnancy. Speak to your doctor or midwife about which teas suit you.
P.S. MOOD is a certified social enterprise. 100% of our profits fund youth mental health programs across Australia, so every caffeine free cup does a little good too.
Sources
FSANZ, Safety aspects of dietary caffeine: foodstandards.gov.au/publications/Safety-aspects-of-dietary-caffeine
EUFIC, Caffeine levels in different foods and drinks: eufic.org/en/healthy-living/article/caffeine-levels-in-different-foods-and-drinks