What fundamental difference separates the New Jersey Tea beverage from tea derived from Camellia sinensis?
The beverage produced from the leaves of *Ceanothus americanus* is entirely free of caffeine.
A key distinction between the infusion made from *Ceanothus americanus* leaves and traditional imported tea, which comes from *Camellia sinensis*, lies in the presence of stimulants. The leaves of New Jersey Tea are noted specifically for producing a beverage that is completely caffeine-free. This characteristic makes it a suitable herbal tisane for consumption at any time of day, unlike teas derived from *Camellia sinensis*, which contain varying amounts of caffeine that affect alertness and energy levels. This absence of caffeine was not a detractor historically; rather, it served as a naturally occurring substitute when imported, caffeinated options were unavailable or politically undesirable.
