Caffeine Sensitivity

[netsurfr]

I have a couple of customers that are very sensitive to caffeine but also believe that there are significant health benefits to drinking pu-erh, particularly the older vintages (at least older than 10 years).

They relayed to me that they thought that much of the caffeine was lost in the older teas. I was not familiar with this idea so I declined to comment. I simply said that I had not heard that and had not experienced that with the older teas that I had sampled. I would be interested to hear what other folks may have discovered in their research.

When asked how to mitigate the caffeine content, I suggested that they start by using a couple of "longer-than-normal" rinses. I suggested that they try two rinses at two minutes. Keep in mind that one of the individuals was sensitive to caffeine to an extreme.

Does anyone else have any suggestions regarding reducing the impact of caffeine contained in pu-erh during sessions?

Thanks in advance,

[ambrose]

That sounds like the best thing you can do the two two minute rinses. So far I find that the old and the newer teas get me equally caffeinated. For some reason V93 is the only one that mellows me out. Looks like either they can try what you recommended with the rinses or "no pu-erh for you"

[TacoBell]

My understanding is that caffeine is very soluble. The caffeine content drops exponentially with each rinse. That's why mine are exceptionally short. Two long rinses will leech out most of the caffeine and probably taste too but will retain the anti-oxident, age-prolonging, wrinkle smoothing, weightloss, wealth building placebo effect.

Actually, now that I think back on my chemisty, you would be better off recommending three or four short rinses than two long rinses....removes more of a solute.

[arghblech]

I don't think that aging does much to the caffeine content. There is so much disinformation out there about caffeine in tea that you can't trust what *anyone* tells you. If this person has any medical reason (heart issues, extreme hypertension, etc) the safest thing for this person is to avoid this type of tea (and possibly all types) altogether.

Tea isn't worth endangering oneself or risking endangering a friend. Unless you don't like him. Then you should should lace his pu with meth.