Process of preparing a tea product
AssigneeThomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
InventorsBart Barmentlo, Willem J. Bel, Bruin Hoogstad, Sidney Pendlington, Nigel K. Slater
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a process of preparing a tea extract, the extract is adjusted to 20.degree.-80.degree. C., treated with tannase at pH=4-7 and then subjected to ultrafiltration at 2.degree.-90.degree. C. using a membrane with an average molecular weight exclusion point of at least 5000 Daltons (preferably at least 30,000 Daltons). The extract may finally be subjected to an additional filtration, preferably microfiltration. Also an instant a cold-water soluble tea powder or granulate is claimed.
Claims14
In an improved process of preparing a final tea extract, comprising the steps of:
- (a) preparing a tea extract,
- (b) adjusting the temperature of the extract to a value of from 20.degree. C. to 80.degree. C.,
- (c) treating the extract with tannase while maintaining said extract temperature at 20.degree. C. to 80.degree. C. for a time sufficient to solubilize a substantial portion of the tea cream therein at a pH value between 4.0 and 7.0;
- wherein the improvement comprises
- (d) subjecting the treated extract to an ultrafiltration treatment at a temperature of from 2.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. using a membrane having an average molecular weight exclusion point of at least 5,000 Daltons so as to obtain a retained fraction containing said tannase and a permeate fraction,
- (e) recovering the permeate fraction,
- (f) adjusting the temperature of the permeate fraction to within the range of from 0.degree. C. to 20.degree. C., and
- (g) subjecting the permeate fraction to a filtration treatment to obtain a tea extract which remains clear upon cooling to 5.degree. C., and
- (h) recycling the retained fraction from step (d) into the tannase treatment step (c) to assist in treating further tea extract.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.