Is Bigelow Decaffeinated Green Tea Naturally Decaffeinated?

November 18, 2025 •

4 min read

Bigelow explicitly states that its green tea is "naturally decaffeinated," but what does this mean for the process and your health? Over 99% of the caffeine is removed, but the journey from a caffeinated leaf to a decaf teabag is a surprisingly scientific one.

Quick Summary

Bigelow decaffeinated green tea is processed using a chemical-free carbon dioxide (CO2) method. This process is widely considered natural and effectively removes caffeine while preserving the tea's smooth flavor and antioxidants.

Key Points

Natural Decaffeination: Bigelow uses the chemical-free Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (CO2) process to remove caffeine from its green tea.
Preserved Flavor: The CO2 method is gentle and preserves the larger flavor molecules and beneficial antioxidants, ensuring the tea's smooth, natural taste remains intact.
Minimal Caffeine: Though not completely caffeine-free, Bigelow's decaf green tea removes 99.6% of the caffeine, leaving only trace amounts (1-8 mg per serving).
Safe and Clean: The CO2 process is safe, leaving no chemical residues, unlike other decaffeination methods like methylene chloride.
Decaf vs. Herbal: Decaffeinated green tea still comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, while herbal teas like chamomile are naturally caffeine-free from the start.

The Truth About Decaffeination

For many tea enthusiasts seeking to reduce their caffeine intake, the question of how their favorite brew is decaffeinated is a primary concern. The word 'decaffeinated' can be misleading, as it doesn't automatically imply a completely natural, chemical-free process across all brands. However, with transparency in decaffeination methods becoming more common, consumers can now understand exactly what goes into their cup.

The Bigelow Decaffeination Method: Supercritical CO2

For its decaffeinated green tea, Bigelow employs the Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (CO2) process. This is considered one of the most effective and safest methods in the industry. It avoids the harsh chemical solvents used in other techniques, making it a preferred choice for preserving the tea's natural integrity and flavor profile.

The process works like this:

Preparation: The raw green tea leaves are moistened with water to swell the cell structures and prepare them for processing.
Pressurization: The moistened leaves are placed in a special vessel where they are exposed to high pressure and heat.
CO2 Introduction: Heated, pressurized carbon dioxide—a naturally occurring gas—is then flushed through the tea leaves.
Caffeine Extraction: At this high pressure, the CO2 reaches a "supercritical" state, acting as a solvent. It selectively bonds with the small, non-polar caffeine molecules, extracting them from the leaves.
Separation: The caffeine-laden CO2 is then separated and filtered, leaving the decaffeinated leaves to be dried and packaged. The CO2 is recycled for future use.

Why the CO2 Method is Considered 'Natural'

The use of the term 'natural' to describe decaffeination can be confusing because it doesn't mean the caffeine was never present. However, the CO2 method is widely considered natural and is often marketed this way, including by Bigelow. This is because it uses a naturally occurring, inert gas (CO2) instead of synthetic chemical solvents. The process is gentle and preserves the larger flavor molecules and beneficial antioxidants, which might otherwise be stripped away by less selective methods.

Comparison of Decaffeination Methods

To understand why Bigelow's method is preferred, it helps to compare it with other common decaffeination processes. The table below outlines the key differences between the CO2 process and other solvent-based methods.


Method	Process	Flavor Impact	Health and Environmental Concerns
Supercritical CO2	Uses heated, pressurized CO2 gas to extract caffeine from moistened tea leaves.	Minimal Impact: Preserves larger flavor compounds and antioxidants.	Natural & Safe: Avoids harsh chemical solvents, leaves no residue, and CO2 is a natural substance.
Ethyl Acetate	Uses ethyl acetate (a chemical found naturally in tea) to dissolve caffeine.	Slightly Altered: Can leave a fruity or chemical aftertaste if not properly removed.	Can be Misleading: Often called "naturally decaffeinated," but the added solvent can leave residue.
Methylene Chloride	Uses methylene chloride to bond with and extract caffeine from the leaves.	Generally Good: Retains many original flavors, but the process is more controversial.	Controversial: Leaves a small residue and is regulated. Not licensed for tea decaffeination in the US.

Decaf vs. Naturally Caffeine-Free

It is important to differentiate between decaffeinated teas and naturally caffeine-free teas, often called tisanes. The former, like Bigelow's green tea, starts with leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant and has caffeine removed. The latter, such as chamomile or peppermint tea, are herbal infusions made from different plants that never contained caffeine in the first place. While decaf tea has minimal caffeine (1-8 mg), herbal tea has none.

Is Bigelow's Decaf Green Tea Right for You?

Given the details of the CO2 process, Bigelow's decaffeinated green tea is an excellent choice for those who are caffeine-sensitive but still want to enjoy the flavor and potential health benefits of green tea. The gentle decaffeination method means you're not sacrificing taste or the presence of valuable antioxidants, as the process removes 99.6% of the caffeine without compromising the tea's integrity. This approach is widely respected in the tea industry for its purity and effectiveness.

Conclusion

Yes, Bigelow decaffeinated green tea is naturally decaffeinated using the Supercritical CO2 process. This method leverages a natural, inert gas to remove caffeine, bypassing the need for harsh chemical solvents and earning its 'natural' label. This leaves you with a beverage that retains its smooth flavor and rich antioxidant profile, proving that you can enjoy a decaffeinated cup of green tea without compromise. The process is safe, effective, and retains the quality consumers expect from a premium tea brand. For more information, you can reference the company's FAQ page on its decaffeination method.

Note: While considered natural, it is always wise to read the product packaging for specific processing details, especially if you have particular sensitivities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bigelow uses the Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (CO2) process to decaffeinate its green tea. This method involves treating moistened tea leaves with pressurized CO2, a naturally occurring gas, to extract caffeine.

Yes, the CO2 method is widely considered a natural decaffeination process because it uses a natural gas and avoids chemical solvents. It is also highly effective at preserving the tea's flavor and beneficial compounds.

No, like most decaffeinated products, it is not completely caffeine-free. It has been processed to remove at least 99.6% of the caffeine, but a trace amount remains (typically 1-8 mg per cup).

Bigelow's CO2 method differs from solvent-based methods like ethyl acetate and methylene chloride. While CO2 uses a natural gas to extract caffeine, solvent-based methods use chemical agents, which can be less effective at retaining flavor and may leave residues.

Bigelow's use of the CO2 method is specifically chosen to minimize the impact on flavor. The process preserves the larger flavor molecules, resulting in a smooth, delicate taste very similar to its caffeinated counterpart.

Yes, Bigelow's decaffeinated green tea is considered safe. The CO2 process is widely regarded as a safe and clean method, and the tea undergoes rigorous quality checks.

Yes. One of the key advantages of the CO2 decaffeination process is that it is very selective, targeting smaller caffeine molecules while leaving the larger antioxidant compounds largely intact. Bigelow ensures its process preserves the tea's antioxidant benefits.

You can find more details and official statements regarding their decaffeination methods on the Bigelow Tea website, often within their FAQ or product information pages.