Production process of packaged green tea beverages

Abstract

A process is disclosed for the production of a packaged green tea beverage containing non-polymer catechins at a concentration of 0.05 to 0.5 wt. %. According to the process, an aluminosilicate which has an iron release rate of not greater than 0.8 mg/kg to a catechin-containing solution is brought into contact with a green tea mixture of a green tea extract and a concentrate of green tea extract. The present invention can provide beverages, which contain catechins at high concentration and inhibit the formation of dregs during long-term storage.

1 . A packaged green tea beverage with a concentrate of a green tea extract mixed therein, comprising: 
 (a) 0.05 to 0.5 wt. % of non-polymer catechins in which the weight ratio [(A)/(B)] of (A) non-epicatechins to (B) epicatechins is from 0.54 to 9.0;    (b) 10 to 30 mg/kg of aluminum ions; and    (c) 10 to 30 mg/kg of silicon ions.    
     
     
         2 . A process for the production of a packaged green tea beverage containing non-polymer catechins at a concentration of 0.05 to 0.5 wt. %, which comprises bringing an aluminosilicate, which has an iron release rate of not greater than 0.8 mg/kg to a catechin-containing solution, into contact with a green tea mixture of a green tea extract and a concentrate of green tea extract.  
     
     
         3 . The process for the production of a packaged green tea beverage according to  claim 2 , wherein the aluminosilicate is added in the proportion of 0.05 to 0.5 wt % based on the green tea mixture.  
     
     
         4 . The process for production of a packaged green tea beverage according to  claim 2 , wherein the packaged green tea beverage is the packaged green tea beverage according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         5 . The process for the production of a packaged green tea beverage according to  claim 3 , wherein the packaged green tea beverage is the packaged green tea beverage according to  claim 1.