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RE: L-Theanine: A Major Constituent of Tea (Camellia sinensis)

in #steemstem6 years ago

I'm a tea lover, too. I just read an interesting article about a genetically-deficient species of tea called HongYaCha. HYC cannot make caffeine because it has a mutation in caffeine synthase, according to https://steemit.com/steemstem/@diamondmind/a-compilation-of-information-on-alternative-medicine-how-anticancer-drugs-can-be-produced-in-yeast-a-new-tea-plant-with-low

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Yes, that's true. Here's the original publication:

Jin, J-Q, et al. Hongyacha, a Naturally Caffeine-Free Tea Plant from Fujian, China. J. Agric. Food Chem. 66 (43), pp 11311–11319 (2018).

As noted in the paper, the plants still produce theobromine, which is the precursor of caffeine. Theobromine is the main alkaloid in Cacao. It is also a stimulant, but weaker than caffeine.

If I recall correctly, Theobromine is weaker, but lasts longer.