These teas, however, have never been decaffeinated but have a naturally low caffeine count. Caffeine-free labels only apply to herbal products, not traditional teas. There are two sources of decaffeinated tea in the world, both processed by firms in Europe. Decaffeinated tea is found in all leaf grades and a great variety of flavors. The latter two are the only two permitted in the United States.
Carbon dioxide is a high pressure, super critical process.
Unlike the other two processes mentioned, this process is considered natural and is more gentle to the tea leaves. The ethyl acetate decaffeination process uses the Haco Method, which is similar to the one used for coffee. Ethyl acetate is derived as a result of the reaction between ethanol and acitit acid. The raw materials are taken from natural origins, such as fruit. This process leaves a maximum carrier residue of 1 ppm or less, and a maximum caffeine residue of .08 percent, dry weight.