JP2021000074A - Granulated powder tea leaves and method for producing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide granulated tea leaves having excellent dispersibility.SOLUTION: The present invention provides granulated powder tea leaves with an average particle size of 100 μm or more and with a bulk specific density of 0.4 g/ml or less. The present invention further provides granulated powder tea leaves with an average particle size of 400 μm or less, granulated powder tea leaves with a bulk specific density of 0.2 g/ml or more, granulated powder tea leaves containing powder tea leaves of 80 mass% or more, or granulated powder tea leaves with powder tea leaves being green tea powder tea leaves. There is also provided a method for producing granulated powder tea leaves, including subjecting powder tea leaves to fluidized bed granulation.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technology related to granulated powdered tea leaves is disclosed.

Patent Document 1 describes a method of controlling a hot air temperature, a spray rate of an aqueous medium, and the like as a method for stably producing a powdered tea composition having a well-balanced balance between flavor and solubility and excellent particle uniformity. Is disclosed. Patent Document 2 discloses granulated tea leaves containing 90% by mass or more of powdered tea leaves having excellent dispersibility in water and having an average particle size of 80 to 180 μm. Patent Document 3 discloses a granulated powdered tea having an average particle size of 10 to 30 microns as a powdered tea having excellent dispersibility and suspension. Patent Document 4 discloses tea leaf granules having an angle of repose of less than 45 degrees as tea leaf granules having excellent dispersibility. Patent Document 5 discloses a method of forming a coating layer of another tea leaf extract on tea leaves as a method for producing pulverized tea having improved solubility. However, the granulated tea leaves disclosed in these documents have room for further improvement in terms of dispersion stability and the like.

Patent No. 6185121 Patent No. 6313889 JP 2006-296341 JP-A-2010-67841 JP-A-2014-97023

One issue is to provide granulated tea leaves having excellent dispersibility.

As a result of repeated research to solve such problems, it was found that the problems can be solved by controlling the particle size and bulk specific gravity. Further studies on such findings provide inventions represented by the following.
Item 1
Granulated powdered tea leaves having an average particle size of 100 μm or more and a bulk specific gravity of 0.4 g / ml or less. Item 2
Item 2. The granulated powdered tea leaf according to Item 1, wherein the average particle size is 400 μm or less.
Item 3
Item 2. The granulated powdered tea leaf according to Item 1 or 2, wherein the bulk specific gravity is 0.2 g / ml or more.
Item 4
Item 2. The granulated powdered tea leaf according to any one of Items 1 to 3, which contains 80% by mass or more of powdered tea leaf.
Item 5
Item 2. The granulated powdered tea leaf according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the powdered tea leaf is green tea powdered tea leaf.
Item 6
Item 2. The method for producing granulated powdered tea leaves according to any one of Items 1 to 5, which comprises subjecting the powdered tea leaves to fluidized bed granulation.

Granulated powdered tea leaves having excellent dispersibility are provided.

The granulated powdered tea leaves preferably have an average particle size of 100 μm or more from the viewpoint of having good dispersibility. The average particle size is measured by the wet method described in the Examples section below. Dispersibility is used as a term for the ease of dispersing granulated powdered tea leaves in water (or hot water), and is evaluated by, for example, the method described in Examples.

In one embodiment, the average particle size of the granulated powdered tea leaves is preferably 125 μm or more, 150 μm or more, 175 μm or more, 190 μm or more, 200 μm or more, 225 μm or more, 250 μm or more, or 300 μm or more. In one embodiment, the average particle size is preferably 400 μm or less, preferably 375 μm or less, 350 μm or less, 325 μm or less, 300 μm or less, 275 μm or less, 250 μm or less, 225 μm or less, or 200 μm or less. The lower limit value and the upper limit value of these average particle diameters can be arbitrarily combined. For example, in one embodiment, the average particle size is preferably 190 μm or more and 400 μm or less, 125 μm or more and 375 μm or less, 125 μm or more and 350 μm or less, 125 μm or more and 325 μm or less, or 125 μm or more and 300 μm or less.

The granulated powdered tea leaves preferably have a bulk specific gravity of 0.4 g / ml or less from the viewpoint of having good dispersion stability. The bulk specific gravity is measured by the method described in the section of Examples described later. Granulated powdered tea leaves with excellent dispersion stability can be maintained in a state of being dispersed in water for a long period of time, delaying the precipitation or deposition of powdered tea leaf particles after dispersion, and / or the powdered tea leaf particles that precipitate or accumulate. The amount of can be reduced. The dispersion stability can be evaluated, for example, by the method described in the section of Examples described later.

The lower limit of the bulk specific gravity of the granulated powdered tea leaves is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 0.2 g / ml. In one embodiment, the bulk specific gravity is preferably 0.38 g / ml or less, 0.36 g / ml or less, 0.34 g / ml or less, 0.32 g / ml or less, or 0.3 g / ml or less. In one embodiment, the bulk specific gravity is 0.22 g / ml or more, 0.24 g / ml or more, 0.26 g / ml or more, 0.27 g / ml, 0.28 g / ml or more, 0.3 g / ml or more, It is preferably 0.32 g / ml or more, or 0.34 g / ml or more. The upper limit value and the lower limit value of these bulk specific gravities can be arbitrarily combined. For example, in one embodiment, the bulk specific gravity is 0.27 g / ml or more and 0.4 g / ml or less, 0.27 g / ml or more and 0.38 g / ml or less, 0.27 g / ml or more and 0.36 g / ml or less. Alternatively, 0.27 g / ml or more and 0.34 g / ml or less are preferable. In one embodiment, when the bulk specific gravity is low, the dispersibility in water is lowered, and this tendency is remarkable particularly when the average particle size of the granulated powdered tea leaves is small. Granulated powdered tea leaves with a small average particle size and low bulk specific gravity do not disperse sufficiently in water and tend to float on the surface of the water. Therefore, for example, when the average particle size of the granulated powdered tea leaves is less than 120 μm or less than 115 μm, the bulk specific gravity is 0.27 g / ml or more, 0.28 g / ml or more, 0.3 g / ml or more, 0.32 g. It is preferably / ml or more, or 0.34 g / ml or more.

The above-mentioned preferable average particle size value or range and the preferable bulk specific gravity value or range can be arbitrarily combined.

The type of powdered tea leaves constituting the granulated powdered tea leaves is not particularly limited, but green tea leaves are preferable. Green tea is unfermented tea that is dried by heating the picked tea leaves to destroy oxidases. Green tea is classified into gyokuro, kabusecha, sencha, bancha, tencha, matcha, tamaryokucha, hojicha, kamairicha, and the like, depending on the processing method and cultivation method. In one embodiment, the granulated powdered tea leaves are preferably made from one or more of these. In one embodiment, the preferred green tea as a raw material is matcha. In one embodiment, it is preferable that the granulated powdered tea leaves are composed only of matcha, except for water.

The average particle size of the powdered tea leaves used as a raw material for the granulated powdered tea leaves is not particularly limited, and is preferably 45 μm or less, for example. In one embodiment, the average particle size of the powdered tea leaves is preferably 40 μm or less, 35 μm or less, or 30 μm or less, and preferably 3 μm or more or 5 μm or more. The lower limit of the average particle size of the powdered tea leaves used as a raw material is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 1 μm or more. The average particle size of the powdered tea leaves can be measured by the wet method described in the section of Examples described later.

The water content of the powdered tea leaves used as a raw material for the granulated powdered tea leaves is not particularly limited, but is preferably 6% by weight or less, for example. The water content of the powdered tea leaves can be measured by the method described in the section of Examples described later.

The powdered tea leaves used as a raw material for the granulated powdered tea leaves are commercially available and can be produced by a known method.

In one embodiment, the granulated powdered tea leaves are preferably composed substantially only of powdered tea leaves. Specifically, the granulated powdered tea leaves are 80% by mass or more, 85% by mass or more, 90% by mass or more, 95% by mass or more, 96% by mass or more, 97% by mass or more, 98% by mass or more, 99. It is preferably contained in an amount of 100% by mass or more. The content of the powdered tea leaves in the granulated powdered tea leaves is calculated excluding the amount of water inevitably remaining in the granulated powdered tea leaves that have undergone the drying step. In one embodiment, the granulated powdered tea leaves are excellent in dispersibility and dispersion stability while being composed substantially only of powdered tea leaves.

In one embodiment, the granulated powdered tea leaves may or may not contain components other than the powdered tea leaves and water. Examples of other components include tea extracts, excipients, additives and the like. In one embodiment, the granulated powdered tea leaves preferably do not contain other components. In one embodiment, when the granulated powdered tea leaves contain a tea extract, the content of the tea extract is 20% by mass or less, 15% by mass or less, 10% by mass or less, 5% by mass or less, 3% by mass or less, 2 It is preferably 1% by mass or less, or 1% by mass or less.

The type of excipient is not particularly limited, and for example, sugars (frug, glucose, sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, mannitol, martitol, lactitol, tagatose, arabinose, etc.), thickening polysaccharides (pectin, guar gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, etc.) , Locust bean gum, etc.), starch, and starch decomposition products (for example, dextrin, malt dextrin, cyclodextrin, etc.) and the like. Only one type of excipient may be used, or two or more types may be used in combination. In one embodiment, the preferred excipient is dextrin. When the granulated powdered tea leaves contain excipients, the content is less than 5% by mass, less than 4% by mass, less than 3% by mass, less than 2% by mass, less than 1% by mass, or less than 0.5% by mass. It is preferable to have.

Examples of the additive include antioxidants, fragrances, pigments, preservatives, seasonings, amino acids, proteins, vegetable oils and fats, organic acids, inorganic salts, pH adjusters, quality stabilizers and the like. Only one of these may be used, or two or more thereof may be used in combination.

In one embodiment, the granulated powdered tea leaves preferably do not contain the above-mentioned excipients and / or additives. The absence of excipients and / or additives means that their content is below the detection limit.

The granulated powdered tea leaves can be produced by any granulation method using powdered tea leaves and excipients and / or additives used as needed, but have a desired average particle size and bulk specific gravity. From the viewpoint of easy adjustment, it is preferable to use the fluidized bed granulation method.

When the granulated powdered tea leaves are produced by the fluidized bed granulation method, they can be produced by setting various parameters using any fluidized bed granulator available on the market.

The amount of powdered tea leaves used as a raw material can be appropriately set according to the purpose and the scale of the apparatus used.

In one embodiment, the air supply temperature to the apparatus is not particularly limited as long as the desired granulated powdered tea leaves can be obtained. For example, in order to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves having good dispersion stability, the air supply temperature is preferably 45 degrees or more and 105 degrees or less, more preferably 50 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less, or 60 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. If the supply air temperature is significantly lower than this range, the particles may become lumpy and the dispersion stability may be reduced. The supply air temperature can be changed during granulation. In one embodiment, the air supply temperature is preferably constant during granulation, for example, 60 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less, and 70 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. In one embodiment, the supply air temperature is preferably changed during granulation, for example, granulation is started at a relatively low temperature (eg, 45 ° C. or higher and 60 ° C. or lower), and the granulation is started at a relatively high temperature (for example, 45 ° C. or higher and 60 ° C. or lower). For example, it is preferable to change to 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less).

The air supply rate to the apparatus can be appropriately set in consideration of the balance of the flow state of the powdered tea leaves, the rate of increase in water content, the final amount of water content, and the like. As the particle size increases, the particles become more difficult to flow, so it is preferable to increase the wind speed. On the other hand, in the case of ungrained powdered tea (fine particles), the tea leaves tend to fly, and when air is supplied at a high speed, the exhaust filter is easily clogged. Therefore, it is preferable to granulate while adjusting the air supply rate as needed.

As the binder solution, it is preferable to use water or water in which powdered tea leaves and / or tea extract are dispersed / dissolved. In one embodiment, the temperature of the binder solution is preferably room temperature (for example, 5 degrees or more and 35 degrees or less, or 15 degrees or more and 30 degrees or less), and it is preferable that the binder solution is not heated. The unheated binder liquid is preferable from the viewpoint of maintaining good quality of the powdered tea leaves (particularly, the powdered tea leaves dispersed in the binder).

In one embodiment, it is preferable to use a binder solution in which powdered tea leaves are dispersed in water in order to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves having a desired average particle size. This is because the powdered tea leaves (or the components leached from them) function as a binding aid between the particles. The amount of powdered tea leaves dispersed in water is preferably 3% or more and 20% or less, or 5% or more and 15% or less of the granulated powdered tea leaves in terms of dry weight. The type of powdered tea leaves to be dispersed is not particularly limited, but is preferably the same as the powdered tea leaves used as a raw material.

In one embodiment, it is preferable to use a binder solution in which a tea extract is mixed with water in order to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves having a desired average particle size. This is because the tea extract functions as a binding aid between the particles. The type of tea extract is not particularly limited, but it is preferably an extract of green tea, for example, an extract of powdered tea leaves used as a raw material for granulation. The solvent for obtaining the extract is not particularly limited, but alcohol such as water or ethanol can be used. In one embodiment, the solvent is preferably water. For example, in the tea extract, tea leaves (for example, powdered tea leaves) are added to water, and the components of the tea leaves are eluted with a solvent such as water over a predetermined time with stirring as necessary, and then filtered or centrifuged. It can be obtained by removing the tea leaves, concentrating and / or drying. The solvent may be warmed (for example, 30 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less). The amount of the tea extract to be mixed with water is preferably, for example, 3% or more and 20% or less, or 5% or more and 15% or less of the granulated powdered tea leaves in terms of dry weight. Such a tea extract may be blended in powdered tea leaves used as a raw material.

In one embodiment, the binder solution is preferably a powdered tea leaf and a tea extract dispersed / dissolved. In this case, the amount of powdered tea leaves and tea extract to be mixed with water is 3% or more and 20% or less, or 5% or more and 15% or less of the granulated powdered tea leaves in terms of dry weight. It is preferable to adjust so as to.

In one embodiment, it is preferable to use two or three kinds of binder liquids in combination as the binder liquid. Here, the two types of binder liquids mean, for example, water and a binder liquid in which powdered tea leaves are dispersed in water. When these two types of binder liquids are used, first granulation may be performed using water as the binder liquid, and then granulation may be performed using the binder liquid in which powdered tea leaves are dispersed in water, and vice versa. Binder solutions may be used in order. The combination of binder liquids is arbitrary, and the order of use is not particularly limited. In one embodiment, it is preferable to first perform granulation using water as a binder solution, and then perform granulation using a binder solution in which powdered tea leaves and tea extract are dispersed and dissolved in water.

The binder solution may contain the above-mentioned excipients and / or additives. In one embodiment, the binder solution preferably contains no excipients and / or additives.

The amount of the binder liquid can be designed according to the average particle size of the target granulated powdered tea leaves and the like. For example, the amount of the binder liquid is preferably 30% or more, preferably 40% or more or 50% or more of the amount of powdered tea leaves used as a raw material in terms of weight.

The spraying speed of the binder liquid is not particularly limited, and for example, it is preferable to design the granulated product to be subjected to the drying step so that the water content is 15% by weight or more, preferably 20% by weight or more. In one embodiment, the spray rate of the binder solution is such that the rate of increase in water content of powdered tea leaves is less than 1% by weight / minute, less than 0.9% by weight / minute, less than 0.8% by weight / minute, 0.7% by weight / minute. It is preferable to adjust it so that it is less than a minute. The lower limit of the water rise rate is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 0.1% by weight / minute or more. Here, the water content rise rate is calculated by the following equation: water content rise rate (%) = (water content (%) of granulated powder tea leaves at the end of spraying the binder liquid-raw material powder before spraying the binder liquid. Moisture content of tea leaves (%)) / Spraying time of binder solution (minutes). As described above, when the spraying of the binder solution is interrupted in the middle, the interruption time is also included in the "spraying time (minutes) of the binder solution". Adjusting the rate of water rise in this way is preferable from the viewpoint of adjusting the bulk density to a desired range and obtaining granulated powdered tea leaves having excellent dispersion stability.

The binder liquid may be sprayed continuously until the entire amount of the binder liquid is sprayed, or the cycle of interrupting the spraying for a predetermined time after spraying for a predetermined time may be repeated a predetermined number of times. For example, interruptions can be provided to avoid blocking during granulation. The interruption may also be necessary for the design of the granulator.

After spraying the binder solution, it is preferable to dry the granulated powdered tea leaves, if necessary. Drying can be performed, for example, by supplying air at about 100 ° C. so that the product temperature of the granulated powdered tea leaves becomes 40 ° C. or higher. The drying is preferably carried out until the water content of the granulated powdered tea leaves is, for example, 5% by weight or less.

The obtained granulated powdered tea leaves can be sized as needed and filled in a desired container. In one embodiment, the granulated powdered tea leaves are preferably in the form of stick packaging or pillow packaging.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Moisture content measurement method For the water content of matcha and powdered tea used as raw materials and granulated tea leaves, use an infrared moisture meter (MF-50: manufactured by A & D Co., Ltd.) and use a 5 g sample under normal pressure and 105 ° C. Heated in and measured. The end point was the point where the weight change was 0.2% / min or less.

Raw material particle size measurement method (wet)
The particle size of matcha and powdered tea used as raw materials was measured using a laser diffraction / scattering type particle size distribution measuring device: Microtrac MT3300EXII (manufactured by Microtrac Bell). According to the instruction manual, the sample was put into the apparatus, and the 50% particle size (D50) was measured after circulating for 30 seconds. The measurement conditions are as follows.
Cardiovascular: USVR (circulatory scale: 4)
Solvent: Water SetZero Time: 10 seconds Measurement time: 10 seconds Particle refractive index: 1.60%
Particle shape: non-spherical

Method for measuring the average particle size of granulated tea leaves (dry type)
Laser diffraction / scattering type particle size distribution measuring device: 50% particle size (D50) was measured using Microtrac MT3300EXII (manufactured by Microtrac Bell). One-shot dry was used as a sample conditioner. The measurement conditions are as follows.
SetZero time: 5 seconds Measurement time: 5 seconds Particle refractive index: 1.60%
Particle shape: non-spherical

Measurement method of bulk specific gravity The granulated tea leaves are naturally dropped into a cylindrical container having a capacity of 100 ml, the inside of the container is filled with the granulated tea leaves, and the container is filled with granulated tea leaves (100 ml) to measure the weight of the granulated product filled in the container. The value obtained by measuring and dividing it by the volume was taken as the bulk specific gravity.

Evaluation of dispersibility Put 250 ml of water at room temperature in a beaker, stir with a stirrer at a speed of 700 rpm, add 5 g of granulated powdered tea in an amount of 2% by weight, and visually check the state after stirring for 5 seconds. It was observed and evaluated according to the following criteria.
◯: No lumps were observed, and the powdered tea was well dispersed.
Δ: Small lumps less than 5 mm are seen.
X: Large lumps of 5 mm or more are seen.

Evaluation of dispersion stability Put 250 ml of water at room temperature in a beaker, stir with a stirrer at a speed of 700 rpm, add 5 g of granulated powdered tea in an amount of 2% by weight, stir for 5 seconds, and then a 300 ml graduated cylinder. The cylinder was erected vertically and poured from above, and the amount of green tea settled (volume (mL)) after 3 minutes was measured.

The matcha used in the following production examples has an average particle size of 23 μm and a water content of 4.9% by weight. The powdered tea (sencha) used in the following production examples has an average particle size of 26 μm and a water content of 3.3% by weight.

Production Example 1:
1000 g of matcha was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), and granulation was performed at an air supply temperature of 80 ° C. 750 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution and sprayed at a flow rate of 15 g / min. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 32% by weight (moisture rising rate 0.54% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves.

Production example 2:
900 g of matcha was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), and granulation was performed at an air supply temperature of 80 ° C. A mixture of 100 g of tea extract dissolved in 500 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution and sprayed at a flow rate of 16.2 g / min. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 20.8% by weight (moisture rising rate 0.43% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves. The tea extract used was 30 times the amount of matcha extracted in water at 50 ° C. for 25 minutes, the tea leaves were removed by filtration or centrifugation, the extract was concentrated with a reverse osmosis membrane, and spray-dried. used.

Production example 3:
1000 g of matcha was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), and granulation was performed at an air supply temperature of 80 ° C. 650 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution and sprayed at a flow rate of 13 g / min. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 24.9% by weight (moisture rising rate 0.4% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves.

Production example 4:
900 g of matcha was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), 100 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution, and the mixture was sprayed at a flow rate of 7.6 g / min, and the air supply temperature was 50 ° C. Granulation was started at. When the spraying of the binder solution was completed, the air supply temperature was changed to 90 ° C., and 50 g of matcha and 50 g of tea extract were dispersed / dissolved in 300 g of water at room temperature, and 18.2 g was used as the binder. The condition was changed to spray at a flow rate of / minute, and granulation was continued. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 22.5% by weight (moisture rising rate 0.5% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves. The tea extract used was 30 times the amount of matcha extracted in water at 50 ° C. for 25 minutes, the tea leaves were removed by filtration or centrifugation, the extract was concentrated with a reverse osmosis membrane, and spray-dried. used.

Production example 5:
900 g of matcha was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), and granulation was performed at an air supply temperature of 80 ° C. A mixture of 100 g of matcha in 500 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution and sprayed at a flow rate of 15 g / min. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 23.7% by weight (moisture rising rate 0.47% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves.

Production example 6:
1000 g of powdered tea was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), and granulation was performed at an air supply temperature of 90 ° C. 500 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution and sprayed at a flow rate of 12.2 g / min. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 16.35% by weight (moisture rising rate 0.32% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves.

Production example 7:
750 g of powdered tea was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), 100 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution, and the tea was sprayed at a flow rate of 7.7 g / min to supply air temperature 60. Granulation was started at ° C. When the spraying of the binder solution was completed, the air supply temperature was changed to 100 ° C., and 125 g of matcha and 125 g of tea extract were dispersed / dissolved in 875 g of water at room temperature and used as the binder solution. The condition was changed to spray at a flow rate of 6 g / min, and granulation was continued. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 26.4% by weight (moisture rising rate 0.26% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves. The tea extract used was 30 times the amount of powdered tea extracted in water at 50 ° C. for 25 minutes, the tea leaves were removed by filtration or centrifugation, the extract was concentrated with a reverse osmosis membrane, and spray-dried. It was used.

Production example 8:
800 g of matcha was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), 100 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution, and the mixture was sprayed at a flow velocity of 7.7 g / min, and the air supply temperature was 50 ° C. Granulation was started at. When the spraying of the binder solution was completed, the air supply temperature was changed to 100 ° C., and 100 g of matcha and 100 g of tea extract were dispersed / dissolved in 700 g of water at room temperature and used as the binder solution, and 20 g / The condition was changed to spray at a flow rate of minutes, and granulation was continued. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 25.3% by weight (moisture rise rate 0.35% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves. The tea extract used was 30 times the amount of matcha extracted in water at 50 ° C. for 25 minutes, the tea leaves were removed by filtration or centrifugation, the extract was concentrated with a reverse osmosis membrane, and spray-dried. used.

Production example 9:
860 g of matcha was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), 100 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution, and the mixture was sprayed at a flow rate of 6.3 g / min, and the air supply temperature was 50 ° C. Granulation was started at. When the spraying of the binder solution was completed, the air supply temperature was changed to 100 ° C., and 120 g of matcha and 120 g of tea extract were dispersed / dissolved in 850 g of water at room temperature and used as the binder solution, and 17 g / The condition was changed to spray at a flow rate of minutes, and granulation was continued. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 24.5% by weight (water content increase rate 0.25% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves. The tea extract used was 30 times the amount of matcha extracted in water at 50 ° C. for 25 minutes, the tea leaves were removed by filtration or centrifugation, the extract was concentrated with a reverse osmosis membrane, and spray-dried. used.

Production example 10:
760 g of matcha was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), 100 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution, and the mixture was sprayed at a flow rate of 6.7 g / min, and the air supply temperature was 50 ° C. Granulation was started at. When the spraying of the binder solution was completed, the air supply temperature was changed to 100 ° C., and 120 g of matcha and 120 g of tea extract were dispersed / dissolved in 850 g of water at room temperature and used as the binder solution. The condition was changed to spray at a flow rate of 5 g / min, and granulation was continued. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 23.2% by weight (water content increase rate 0.2% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves. The tea extract used was 30 times the amount of matcha extracted in water at 50 ° C. for 25 minutes, the tea leaves were removed by filtration or centrifugation, the extract was concentrated with a reverse osmosis membrane, and spray-dried. used.

Production Example 11:
700 g of matcha was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), 100 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution, and the mixture was sprayed at a flow velocity of 7.1 g / min, and the air supply temperature was 60 ° C. Granulation was started at. When the spraying of the binder solution was completed, the air supply temperature was changed to 100 ° C., and 150 g of matcha and 150 g of tea extract were dispersed / dissolved in 1030 g of water at room temperature and used as the binder solution. The condition was changed to spray at a flow rate of 3 g / min, and granulation was continued. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 24.1% by weight (moisture rising rate 0.19% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves. The tea extract used was 30 times the amount of matcha extracted in water at 50 ° C. for 25 minutes, the tea leaves were removed by filtration or centrifugation, the extract was concentrated with a reverse osmosis membrane, and spray-dried. used.

Production Example 12:
900 g of matcha was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), 100 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution, and the mixture was sprayed at a flow rate of 5.3 g / min, and the air supply temperature was 50 ° C. Granulation was started at. When the spraying of the binder solution was completed, the air supply temperature was changed to 100 ° C., and 50 g of matcha and 50 g of tea extract were dispersed / dissolved in 250 g of water at room temperature and used as the binder solution. The condition was changed to spray at a flow rate of 1 g / min, and granulation was continued. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 12.7% by weight (moisture rising rate 0.16% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves. The tea extract used was 30 times the amount of matcha extracted in water at 50 ° C. for 25 minutes, the tea leaves were removed by filtration or centrifugation, the extract was concentrated with a reverse osmosis membrane, and spray-dried. used.

Production example 13:
1000 g of matcha was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), and granulation was performed at an air supply temperature of 80 ° C. 500 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution and sprayed at a flow rate of 13.5 g / min. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 26.4% by weight (moisture rising rate 0.58% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves.

Production example 14:
1000 g of powdered tea was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), and granulation was performed at an air supply temperature of 25. Using 540 g of water at room temperature as a binder solution, the cycle of spraying at a flow rate of 45 g / min for 40 seconds and interrupting for 12 seconds was repeated 18 times, and granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed. The water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 31.3% by weight (moisture rising rate 1.79% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves.

Production example 15:
1000 g of matcha was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), and granulation was performed at an air supply temperature of 80 ° C. 600 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution and sprayed at a flow rate of 40 g / min. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 35.2% by weight (moisture rising rate 2.02% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves.

Production example 16:
700 g of matcha was charged into a fluidized bed granulator (FD-MP-01D type: manufactured by Paulec), 100 g of water at room temperature was used as a binder solution, and the mixture was sprayed at a flow velocity of 12.5 g / min, and the air supply temperature was 60 ° C. Granulation was started at. When the spraying of the binder solution was completed, the air supply temperature was changed to 100 ° C., and 150 g of matcha and 150 g of tea extract were dispersed / dissolved in 1030 g of water at room temperature and used as the binder solution. The condition was changed to spray at a flow rate of 3 g / min, and granulation was continued. Granulation was completed when the entire amount of the binder solution was sprayed, and the water content of the granulated product was measured and found to be 29.3% by weight (water content increase rate 0.26% / min). Then, it was dried at an air supply temperature of 100 ° C. until the product temperature became 40 ° C. or higher to obtain granulated powdered tea leaves. The tea extract used was 30 times the amount of matcha extracted in water at 50 ° C. for 25 minutes, the tea leaves were removed by filtration or centrifugation, the extract was concentrated with a reverse osmosis membrane, and spray-dried. used.

The table below shows the average particle size, bulk specific gravity, dispersibility, and dispersion stability of the granulated powdered tea leaves obtained in Production Examples 1 to 16.

As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that the granulated powdered tea leaves of Production Examples 1 to 11 and 14 to 16 were excellent in dispersibility in water with no lumps observed in the dispersibility test. On the other hand, in the granulated powdered tea leaves of Production Example 12, large lumps of 5 mm or more were formed, and in Production Example 13, lumps of less than 5 mm were clearly observed, confirming that the dispersibility was insufficient. .. It is considered that the granulated powdered tea leaves of Production Examples 1 to 11 and 14 to 16 exhibit sufficient dispersibility because the average particle size is larger than that of the granulated powdered tea leaves of Production Examples 12 to 13. This is not bound by theory, but as the particle size increases, the kinetic energy of the particles themselves becomes larger than the attraction due to static electricity between the particles, and a gap is created between the particles. This is thought to be because it becomes easier to disperse in water. It was confirmed that the granulated powdered tea leaves of Production Examples 14 to 16 had insufficient dispersion stability because the powdered tea settled in a short time after being dispersed in water and deposited on the bottom of the container. On the other hand, it was confirmed that the granulated powdered tea leaves of Production Examples 1 to 11 had significantly slower sedimentation of tea particles after being dispersed in water, and were excellent not only in dispersibility but also in dispersion stability. In Production Examples 12 and 13, the dispersion stability was not evaluated because lumps were formed. From the comparison between Production Examples 1 to 11 and Production Examples 14 to 16, the small bulk specific gravity of the granulated powdered tea leaves contributed to the good dispersion stability of Production Examples 1 to 11, and the granulation of Production Examples 14 to 16 It can be seen that the powdered tea has a large bulk specific gravity, so that the particles settle quickly. It is considered that the low bulk specific gravity (low density) makes it easier for water to permeate between the particles, breaks what was bound by granulation, and makes it easier for particles closer to the original tea particles to disperse in water. ..
On the other hand, the granulated powdered tea leaves of Production Examples 14 to 16 have a large bulk specific gravity (that is, a more compacted and hard granulated product is formed), so that it is difficult for water to permeate between the particles, and it is tentative in water. Although it disperses, it is considered that the structure bound by granulation does not completely collapse, and as a result, the precipitation rate increases.

Claims (1)

The invention described in the specification.