Process for production of powdered tea product
AssigneeSociete d'Assistance Technique pour Produits Nestle S.A.
InventorsRupert J. Gasser, James G. Franklin
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Abstract
Dried tea flakes are prepared by vacuum drum drying a tea extract having a solids content of 40-55% which extract is applied to the drum in a film having a thickness of between 0.065 and 0.005 cm. The drum is maintained at an internal temperature of 95.degree.-125.degree. C. Water is evaporated from the film under vacuum from 3-15 torr over a period of from 10-150 seconds to result in a dried product having an apparent density of less than 12 grams per 100 cc.
Claims8
A process for dehydrating an aqueous extract of tea leaves having a concentration of from 40 to 55% by weight of solids comprising applying a film of said extract in a thickness of between 0.007 and 0.025 centimeters on the external surface of a rotating drum, maintaining the internal temperature of said drum in a range of from 95.degree. to 125.degree. C, evaporating water from said film under a condition of vacuum of from 10 to 15 Tor. for a residence time of from 10 to 40 seconds until the total moisture content of the extract is in the range between 2% to 4%, and then subjecting the dried film to a shearing force to remove the dried extract from the surface of said drum as flakes having an apparent density of less than 12 grams per 100 cc.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.