Red Tea: The Decaffeinated Alternative

From coffee to tea, consumers of high caffeinated, warm drink products are ever aware of the need to eliminate the use of caffeine from the diet. Seeking the pleasures of the taste buds, many coffee and tea consumers hit local coffee shops, like Starbucks, on a daily basis. For some coffee and tea consumers, a new wave in the tea market is drawing attention to a non-caffeinated tea, Red Tea. As a coffee or tea consumer, red tea has become a viable alternative to the high cost of caffeinated coffee and tea products, commonly purchased on a daily basis.

Red tea, by many critics, is not considered a tea at all. Grown from the Rooibos bush, Red tea is derived from part of the bean, or legume, and brewed for its herbal remedy applications. By historical account, Red tea has long been a product used in medicinal approaches in Africa and Asian countries.

Not to be confused with Black tea, Red tea is considered the non-caffeinated form of a tea replacement. As noted, Black tea, when brewed, often appears red and, therefore, can be mistaken as Red Tea. However, Black tea is of the original tea family and contains caffeine, therefore defeating the health benefit of Red tea.

Additionally, Red tea not only provides a caffeine free option for tea drinkers but also offers an alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. For many consumes of Red tea, the flavor is described as slightly sweetened naturally. Therefore, many coffee and tee consumers, who utilize Red tea, will opt to forego additional sweetening additives.

Oddly enough, Red tea is also making a name for itself in the alternative medicine market in the United States. Possessing large quantities of magnesium, potassium and even a natural appetite suppressant, Red tea is believed to be beneficial to those who are seeking to lose weight, relax before bedtime and even in the natural approach to treating central nervous system conditions. In fact, because Red tea contains no oxalic acid, it can be utilized by those suffering from renal disorder, including kidney stones.