The decaffeination of tea is achieved through an extraction process. Carbon dioxide and Ethyl acetate (a natural compound derived from ethanol and acetic acid) are the most commonly used agents for caffeine extraction for teas imported to the U.S. Methylene chloride is also used, but not permitted for teas imported to the U.S. We now offer decaffeinated selections that are processed with either CO₂ or Ethyl acetate. Both methods leave a residual level of caffeine, which is well below the level required by the FDA to be labeled decaffeinated. .