Recipes & Routines
An Evening Tea Routine to Wind Down
Low-caffeine teas and a slow, repeatable ritual for the last hour of the day.
Key takeaways
- Hojicha, aged white and rooibos are gentle evening choices.
- The ritual matters as much as the leaf.
- Stop caffeine earlier than you think you need to.
What to brew
Hojicha is roasted and naturally low in caffeine. Rooibos and chamomile have none. Aged white tea is soft and sweet with a small amount.
Building the ritual
Same cup, same chair, phone in another room. Warm the pot, brew, and let the first two minutes be for the smell rather than the sip. Repetition is what turns it into a signal to switch off.
Frequently asked questions
- Is decaf tea worth buying?
- CO2-decaffeinated leaf is decent; chemically stripped tea tends to taste hollow. Naturally low-caffeine options are usually more enjoyable.
- How late can I drink black tea?
- It varies enormously by person. If sleep is disturbed, try cutting caffeine six hours before bed for a week and see.
About the author
Written by the Leaf & Steep editorial team. We brew, weigh and re-test everything we publish at home with ordinary kitchen equipment — no lab, no sponsorships influencing the verdict. How we test.
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