WO2009112890A1

WO2009112890A1 - Instant liquid tea concentrate

Info

Publication number: WO2009112890A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/050962
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pasan Thijee Peththawadu
Original assignee: ASPIC BIO TECHNIQUES (PVT) Ltd
Current assignee: ASPIC BIO TECHNIQUES (PVT) Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-14
Filing date: 2008-03-14
Publication date: 2009-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 2010-09-14

Abstract

Glycerol is used in the manufacture of tea extracts, tea concentrates or tea sap.

Description

DESCRIPTION:

Drinking of tea has become a general custom, habit and even a ritual for world population. Traditionally and conventionally, tea leaves are macerated in hot water for about 2-3 minutes, as its aromatic substances, antioxidants, proteins and starches dissolve in hot or cold water. Finally, a drinkable cup of tea is prepared. Thus, the method of preparing a cup of tea is a universal practice and a general norm in the world. In other form of method, a cup of tea is also prepared with aqueous tea concentrates.

The aqueous tea concentrates are manufactured with a base product namely the powdered tea extracts. Accordingly, the powdered tea extracts are dispersed in water in complying with pre-determined concentration value adding preservatives to the solution in which, as a result, aqueous tea concentrates are manufactured.

The base product for aqueous tea concentrates - tea extract, which is in powder form, is a derivative of a chemical extraction process. In this particular chemical extraction process, tea leaves are subjected to mix with an alkali - Potassium hydroxide which helps tea compounds take out into the alkali solution. As the alkali solution reaches its saturated level with the tea compounds, the bulky mixture is passed through a centrifugal separator recovering an alkalized aqueous tea solution. Subsequently, recovered alkalized aqueous tea solution is neutralized with a weak acid. However, during the neutralization, de-ionization takes place removing residual salts that forms in the neutralization of alkalized aqueous tea solution.

Finally, neutralized aqueous tea solution is spray dried gaining tea extract in powder form, which is used as a base product for preparing aqueous tea concentrates. (Production process is illustrated in following pages - Fig. 01)

Consequently, aqueous tea concentrates serve preparation of tea cups instantly.

However, following is a description of the process involved in manufacturing "Instant Liquid Tea Concentrate" in glycerol base (or its equivalents)

Materials for the production of Instant Liquid Tea Concentrate in glycerol base (or equivalents) are

1. Black or green tea leaves 2. Glycerol or its equivalent forms of 1 , 2, 3 Propanetriol or Glycyl alcohol or Glycerin - (in lieu of glycerol)

3. Water.

Firstly, black or green tea leaves in 40% dry solid content are set to macerate in closed sterilized tanks for nearly 2 hours with 65% and 35% glycerol, water contents respectively.

For example-

When 400 g of tea leaves are used - ( 40% dry solid leaves )

650 g of glycerol is added - ( 65% glycerol of the net weight of liquid) 350 g of water is added - ( 35% water of the net weight of liquid)

Page 2 of 8

Then, the bulk containing water, glycerol and tea leaves is boiled for 30 minutes. After, the bulk is boiled, coarse particles of tea leaves are removed through centrifugal separation thus obtaining a clarified liquid. Subsequently, the bulk is de- watered by a spray drying method. The final product "Instant Liquid Tea Concentrate" in glycerol base in liquid form is collected to closed sterilized chambers for filling to containers. (Production process is illustrated in the following pages - Fig. 02 & 04)

The appearance and texture of "Instant Liquid Tea Concentrate" in glycerol base is clear, clarified , dark coloured liquid, when black tea leaves are used. When green tea leaves are used, the colour of the liquid is amber- green.

In addition, the same process techniques are practiced to manufacture Liquid Chai Tea Concentrate, which is an instant form of a blend of tea and spices. - (Fig. 03 & 04)

Accordingly, a blend of black or green tea leaves and spices in 40% dry solid content are set to macerate in closed sterilized tanks for nearly 2 hours with 65% and 35% glycerol, water contents respectively.

For example-

When 400 g of a blend of tea leaves and spices are used - ( 40% dry solid ) 650 g of glycerol is added - ( 65% glycerol of the net weight of liquid) 350 g of water is added - ( 35% water of the net weight of liquid) Then, the bulk containing water, glycerol and a blend of tea leaves and spices is boiled for 30 minutes. After, the bulk is boiled, coarse particles of the tea leaves and spices are removed through centrifugal separation thus obtaining a clarified liquid. Subsequently, the bulk is de-watered by a spray drying method. The final product Liquid Chai Tea Concentrate, an instant form of a blend of tea either in the form of black or green and spices, in glycerol base is collected to closed sterilized chambers for filling to containers.

Chemically, glycerol is a tri-hydric alcohol (1 ,2,3 Propanetriol or Glycyl alcohol) and in food manufacturing, it is used as a solvent, emulsifier and a sweetening agent. Glycerin is a synonym for glycerol. Therefore, both glycerol and glycerin are chemically a tri-hydric alcohol and called 1 ,2,3 Propanetriol or Glycyl alcohol.

This innovative product is manufactured in closed sterilized tanks with utmost quality standards and quality control measures using sophisticated technological apparatus and devices.

Claims

THE CLAIMS:

(1 ). The "Instant Liquid Tea Concentrate" characterizes the use of Glycerol in the manufacture of tea extracts, tea concentrates or tea sap. ie., availability of a tea extract or a tea concentrate or a tea sap containing Glycerol is claimed.

(2). Since, Glycerin is a synonym for Glycerol, the "Instant Liquid Tea Concentrate" characterizes the use of the name Glycerin in lieu of Glycerol in the manufacture of tea extracts, tea concentrates or tea sap. ie., availability of a tea extract or a tea concentrate or a tea sap containing Glycerin is claimed.

(3). As Glycerol and Glycerin is chemically 1 ,2,3 Propanetriol or Glycyl alcohol, the "Instant Liquid Tea Concentrate" characterizes the use of 1 ,2,3 Propanetriol or Glycyl alcohol in the manufacture of tea extracts or tea concentrates or tea sap. ie., availability of a tea extract or a tea concentrate or a tea sap containing 1 ,2,3 Propanetriol or Glycyl alcohol is claimed.

(4). The addition of flavours, sugar substances or any other substances to the "Instant Liquid Tea Concentrate" based in glycerol or its other equivalents claimed in (2) & (3), is claimed.

(5). The filling of "Instant Liquid Tea Concentrate" based in glycerol or its other equivalents claimed in (2) & (3), to any commercially available pack such as tea bags, tea spoon shaped containers, tetrapacks , bottles, cans, porcelain and ceramic containers, drums, industrial packaging is claimed.

(6). The use of "Instant Liquid Tea Concentrate" based in glycerol or its other equivalents claimed in (2) & (3), to produce candies, toffees, chocolates, jams or other commercial food products, is claimed.

(7). The use of "Instant Liquid Tea Concentrate" based in glycerol or its other equivalents claimed in (2) & (3), to produce ready to drink tea, is claimed.

(8). The blending of black tea or green tea with spices in glycerol base or its other equivalents claimed in (2) & (3), to produce Liquid Chai Tea Concentrate is claimed.