Lipton, Division of Conopco, Inc.

Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.

Martin John Spisak

Gregg Lance Lehmberg

Steven Alphonse Gobbo

Meghan Mary Kemly-Ellingham

Clive Stanbra Harris

A method for preparing beverage strength tea from highly concentrated solutions is taught. The method involves heating a portion of the dilution water to a pre-selected temperature, mixing this heated water with the concentrate and then adding additional water at a lower temperature to form the final beverage strength product.

Heated dilution water

This invention discloses the usage of the heated concentrates or storage solutions containing relatively high concentrations of tea solids. This heating is done prior to dilution with cold water to prepare tea beverages and, preferably, at the times of dilution.

Heated storage solution

A brewed tea concentrate is taught having about 5 to 30% tea solids, combined with selected carbohydrates in a ratio of 1.5 parts or more of carbohydrate to 1 part of tea solids. The brewed tea concentrate has certain levels of caffeine, flavanoids and gallic acid and when diluted to a final tea beverage at a ratio of about 100 parts water to 1 part tea has a total tea solids content of about 0.1% to 0.3% or higher. The beverage thus prepared has a Hunter haze of 50 or less.

Tea concentrate

A process for the preparation of a black tea extract which includes blending black tea leaves with water which contains another acidic vegetable material, extracting at 70.degree. to 100.degree. F. for a time sufficient to achieve good contact of the tea leaves with the water, afterwards separating the aqueous extract from the solid material and clarifying the extract. The extract may then be used to prepare a final product having good acid stability, good clarity and good color over the shelf life of the product.

Growing community of inventors

Parlin, NJ, United States of America

Martin John Spisak