{
    "id": 1070329,
    "title": "Autumn equinox 2026: three caffeine-free teas for darker evenings",
    "slug": "autumn-equinox-2026-evening-teas",
    "type": "post",
    "url": "https://teas.co.uk/autumn-equinox-2026-evening-teas/",
    "modified": "2026-09-18T00:36:32+01:00",
    "excerpt": "",
    "content_text": "The autumn equinox arrives next Wednesday, at 1.06am BST on 23 September 2026, according to Royal Museums Greenwich. Day and night are close to equal length, and from here the nights are longer than the days until the spring equinox in March. Evenings get darker still when the clocks go back at 2am on Sunday 25 October. Royal Museums Greenwich \u00b7 GOV.UK clock changes\r\nLonger evenings are when a late cup of tea matters most, and when a normal brew can cost you sleep. NHS advice for people struggling to sleep includes no tea or coffee for at least six hours before bed. NHS insomnia advice\r\nThe easy answer is an infusion made without tea leaves. Pure peppermint, pure camomile and pure rooibos contain no caffeine at all, and each suits a different kind of evening.\r\nThe three cups at a glance\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCup\r\nWhat it tastes like\r\nBrew\r\nMilk?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPeppermint\r\nClean, cooling, bright\r\nFreshly boiled water, 3\u20135 minutes\r\nNo\r\n\r\n\r\nCamomile\r\nSoft, floral, a hint of apple and honey\r\nFreshly boiled water, 4\u20135 minutes, covered\r\nOccasionally, a splash\r\n\r\n\r\nRooibos\r\nSmooth, woody, naturally sweet\r\nFreshly boiled water, 4\u20135 minutes (longer is fine)\r\nYes, it takes milk well\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPeppermint: the after-dinner reset\r\nPeppermint is the cup to reach for after a big autumn meal. It is bright and clean, with that cooling finish from menthol, and it cuts through rich food rather than adding to it. Brew one bag in a mug of freshly boiled water for three to five minutes, and cover the mug while it steeps so the aroma stays in the cup rather than in the kitchen.\r\nIt is a good finish to a Sunday roast, or a partner for a shortbread biscuit.\r\nTwinings Pure Peppermint is 100% peppermint. For a bigger box, try Loyd Pure Peppermint, 40 bags.\r\nCamomile: the gentle one\r\nCamomile is the softest of the three: floral, rounded, with a faint note of apple and honey. It rewards a slightly longer brew than people expect. Give it four to five minutes under a saucer, then taste before deciding whether it needs a little honey.\r\n\"Camomile\" and \"chamomile\" are the same plant spelled two ways; UK boxes tend to use the first. Twinings Pure Camomile is 100% camomile flowers. If you want something closer to a bedtime treat, our Creamy Camomile Nightcap turns it into a warm milky drink.\r\nOne caution: camomile belongs to the daisy family. If you are allergic to related plants such as ragweed, marigolds or chrysanthemums, or you take regular medicines or are pregnant, check with a pharmacist first. NCCIH chamomile information\r\nRooibos: the one that behaves like proper tea\r\nIf you miss a builder's brew in the evening, rooibos is your answer. It comes from a South African shrub, not the tea plant, so it has no caffeine. It brews to a deep red-amber colour and takes a splash of milk happily. It is also forgiving: leave the bag in longer than planned and it stays smooth rather than turning harsh.\r\nDragonfly Organic Pure Rooibos is organic rooibos and nothing else. It makes a good everyday evening cup, with or without milk. For something more like a dessert, try our Vanilla Rooibos Rice Pudding.\r\nCheck the box, not the name\r\n\"Mint tea\" and \"caffeine-free\" are not the same thing. Some mint teas are green tea with mint added, and many evening blends mix herbs with tea leaves. Read the ingredients: if tea, green tea or black tea is listed, there is some caffeine in the cup.\r\nDecaf is different again. Decaffeination removes most of the caffeine, not all of it. FDA caffeine guidance If you want none at all after dark, a pure herbal infusion is the simple choice.\r\nStill torn between the first two? Our peppermint vs chamomile guide compares them side by side.",
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