Societe D'assistance Technique Pour Produits Nestle S.a.

James G Franklin

Rupert J Gasser

Fulvio A Pagliaro

John D Fraley

A process for producing a decaffeinated vegetable material, such as coffee or tea in aqueous extract or solid form, for use in preparation of beverages, which comprises:

Decaffeination process

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.

Process for production of powdered tea product

Dried tea flakes are prepared by vacuum drum drying. A tea extract having a solids content of 40 to 55% is applied to a drum in a film having a thickness of up to 0.09 centimeters. The drum is maintained at an internal temperature of 95.degree. to 125.degree.C. Water is evaporated from the film under vacuum of 3 to 15 Tor or in 10 to 150 seconds to result in dried product having an apparent density of less than 12 grams per 100cc.

Powdered tea product and process for production

This invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of cold-water soluble tea products wherein tea tannins which have been partially oxidized to improve their solubility are contacted with native tea tannins. The admixture of oxidized and native tannins is permitted to equilibrate until the desired final color is obtained, and thereafter the unoxidized tannins are precipitated so as to leave a clear aqueous solution useful for the preparation of instant tea products.

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Marysville, OH, United States of America

James G Franklin