Beverage precursor and process for the manufacture thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a beverage precursor comprising tea material and food-grade additive, wherein the beverage precursor is present in an amount wherein contact of the beverage precursor with 250 ml water for 2 minutes at 90° C. produces a beverage comprising catechins in an amount of between 0.05% and 2% by weight of the beverage.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to beverage precursors for preparing tea-based beverages. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Green tea is a popular beverage which has been consumed in China and Japan for many hundreds of years. Recently, extensive laboratory research and epidemiologic studies have shown that compounds present in green tea (particularly catechins) may reduce the risk of a variety of illnesses. Furthermore, catechine have been shown to suppress accumulation of visceral fat and so may be useful in controlling bodyweight and bodyshape (see, for example, T. Nagao et al., “Tea Catechins Suppress Accumulation of Body Fat in Humans”, J. Oleo. Sci., 2001, 50(9), pp. 717-728). These studies, along with the increasing complexity of the consumers'ss palate have led to growth in the consumption of green tea, even in markets (such as the USA and Western Europe) where there is no tradition of green tea consumption. [0003] Although, some of the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0057] The beverage precursor of the invention is provided in an amount that allows for consumers to meet the daily intake of catechins required to achieve health benefits, whilst requiring shorter time to prepare a beverage and / or preparation of fewer beverages per day compared with conventional beverage precursors.

[0058] The efficiency of catechin delivery may be further improved if the beverage precursor is present in an amount wherein contact of the beverage precursor with 250 ml water for 2 minutes at 90° C. produces a beverage comprising catechins in an amount of at least 0.06% by weight of the beverage, more preferably at least 0.07% and most preferably at least 0.08%. The efficiency of catechin delivery should not be too high, however, otherwise the taste and / or appearance of the beverage may be impaired. Therefore it is preferred that the beverage precursor is present in an amount wherein contact of the beverage precursor with 250 ml water for 2 minutes at 90° C. produces a beverage comprising catechins in an amount of less than 1% by weight of the beverage, more preferably less than 0.5% and most preferably less than 0.2%.

[0065] The beverage precursor of the present invention comprises food grade additive. The presence of the food-grade additive may help in providing high efficiency of catechin delivery to a beverage. This is because the food-grade additive may help to separate the tea material and thus allow for increased rate of infusion and / or dissolution of the tea material. The food grade additive may additionally or alternatively help to mask the bitter taste associated with catechins. Thus it is preferred that the beverage precursor comprises tea material and food-grade additive in a weight ratio of less than 100:1, more preferably less than 50:1 and most preferably less than 30:1. However, in order to maximise the benefits and taste provided by the tea material, it is preferred that the weight ratio of tea material to food-grade additive in the precursor is at least 1:2, more preferably at least 2;1 and most preferably at least 5:1.

[0066] The ability of the food-grade additive to separate the tea material and thus allow for increased rate of infusion and / or dissolution of the tea material is enhanced when the food-grade additive is particulate. Thus it is preferred that the food-grade additive is particulate. Preferably also, at least 95% (more preferably from 98 to 100%) by weight of the food-grade additive has a maximum linear dimension of less than 2 mm. In particular, it is preferred that at least 95% (more preferably from 98 to 100%) by weight of the food-grade additive has a mesh size below 9 (i.e. passes through a Tyler Mesh of No. 9).

[0067] The food-grade additive may be any edible material and may, for example, comprise saccharide (including sugars, oligosaccharides and / or polysaccharides), salt, sweetener (including artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, and / or acesulfame K), protein, milk powder, food acid (and / or a salt thereof), flavour or a mixture thereof. Particularly preferred are sugars, oligosaccharide, sweetener, salt and mixtures thereof, owing to their ability to mask the bitterness of catechins.

Problems solved by technology

The efficiency of catechin delivery should not be too high, however, otherwise the taste and / or appearance of the beverage may be impaired.

It is preferred, however, that the mass of beverage precursor is at least 0.5 g, as smaller amounts are difficult to accurately portion and dose.