WO2004034796A1

WO2004034796A1 - Liquid tea concentrate

Info

Publication number: WO2004034796A1
Application number: PCT/IB2002/004209
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thijee Peththawadu Pasan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-14
Filing date: 2002-10-14
Publication date: 2004-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 2005-04-14

Abstract

The patent is a development of a liquid Tea Concentrate, according to the norms and standards of food science and related industries. Since the discovery of tea as a healthy drink some 4000 years ago, conventionally, the tea leaves have been dissolved in hot or cold water before consumption. The derivatives of tea would dissolve in hot or cold water with flavor and aromas creating a tasty, healthy drink. A tea bag, for instance, uses the same traditional method, though with reduced preparatory hazard. However, the new development makes it possible for the derivatives that create both the flavor and the aroma (and even other dormant aroma) to be extracted to a liquid base, the final product being- liquid Tea Concentrate. The base used for the liquid tea concentrate manufacture is glycerol (or its equivalents forms of 1,2,3 Propanetriol or glycyl alcohol or Glycerin - in lieu of glycerol). The final product of tea concentrate can be added to hot or cold water in lieu of tea leaves at the final point of consumption. Tea leaves in the form of black or green can be used for the development, making it possible for the consumers to prepare an instant tea using the liquid Tea Concentrate.

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.

However, following is a description of the process involved in manufacturing liquid tea concentrate in glycerol base (or its equivalents)

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

Black or green tea leaves

Glycerol or its equivalent forms of 1 ,2,3 Propanetriol or glycyl alcohol or

Glycerin - (in lieu of Glycerol)

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

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

Then, 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 "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. 01 & 02 )

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

Chemically, glycerol is a tri-hydric alcohol (1 ,2,3 Propanetriol or glycyl alcohol) and in foods manufacturing, it is used as a solvent, emulsifier, and a sweetning 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 "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 "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 or Glycerin is chemically 1,2,3 Propanetriol or glycyl alcohol, the "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 "Liquid Tea Concentrate" based in glycerol or its other equivalents claimed in (2) & (3), is claimed.

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

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

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