JP4694921B2 - Container oolong tea drink - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a container-packed oolong tea beverage containing a high concentration of non-polymer catechins and having a reduced amount of caffeine.

  As an effect of catechins, α-amylase activity inhibitory action and the like have been reported (Patent Document 1). In order to express such physiological effects, it is necessary to drink 4 to 5 cups of tea per day for adults. A technique for blending concentrations has been desired.

  At present, various non-polymer catechins are extracted from tea leaves, and a composition containing non-polymer catechins (hereinafter referred to as a non-polymer catechin-containing composition) is produced. By adding the produced non-polymer catechins-containing composition to oolong tea beverage, it became possible to ingest a large amount of non-polymer catechins (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  However, commercially available oolong tea drinks contain a large amount of caffeine. For this reason, if excessive intake of such a beverage with a high caffeine content is continued, symptoms such as frequent urination and difficulty in sleeping at night may be seen, which does not meet the needs of caffeine-less users.

In such a background, a non-polymer catechin-containing composition having a reduced caffeine content by using a hydrogen ion exchange resin or the like has been obtained. (Patent Documents 3 to 5). However, all of them are for obtaining a non-polymer catechins-containing composition having a reduced caffeine content, and having a high concentration of non-polymer catechins and reducing the amount of caffeine. It is not for the purpose of producing beverages. Moreover, in these production processes, non-polymer catechin compositions are obtained by treatment with an organic solvent such as alcohol or caustic soda. However, when these production processes are carried out as they are on a liquid extracted from tea leaves using water, There is a risk that the flavor will be greatly impaired.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-333898 JP 2004-41186 A JP-A-11-228565 JP 11-292870 A JP 2004-305012 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a container-packed oolong tea beverage containing non-polymer catechins at a high concentration and having a significantly reduced caffeine content.

  As a result of studying to reduce caffeine in oolong tea extract extracted from oolong tea leaves using water, the present inventors have found that oolong tea extract extracted from oolong tea leaves using water has a salt concentration and electrical conductivity. The oolong tea extract with a lower caffeine content than before was obtained by passing the solution through a hydrogen ion-type hydrogen ion exchange resin whose pH was sufficiently reduced and the pH was adjusted from weakly acidic to neutral. Furthermore, by adding a non-polymer catechin-containing composition with reduced caffeine to this, a oolong tea beverage containing a high concentration of non-polymer catechins and having a significantly reduced caffeine content can be obtained. I found out.

  That is, the present invention provides non-polymer catechins in beverages obtained by blending oolong tea extract with reduced caffeine brought into contact with a hydrogen ion exchange resin and a non-polymer catechin-containing composition. In a concentration of 40 mg / 100 mL to 300 mg / 100 mL, the ratio of caffeine / non-polymer catechins is 0.001 to 0.15, and the gallate content in the non-polymer catechins is 40 to The container-packed oolong tea beverage having a mass of 80% by mass and a pH of 4-7 is provided.

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen-type ion obtained by adjusting the oolong tea extract to a washed water salt concentration of 0 to 0.2% by mass, electrical conductivity of 0 to 0.5 [S / m], and pH of 4 to 7. Caffeine is reduced by contacting with an exchange resin, and then a non-polymer catechins-containing composition is blended, and the beverage contains non-polymer catechins at a concentration of 40 mg / 100 mL to 300 mg / 100 mL. / The ratio of non-polymer catechins is 0.001 to 0.15, the gallate content in the non-polymer catechins is 40 to 80% by mass, and the pH is 3 to 7 The manufacturing method of this is provided.

  In the present invention, a container-packed oolong tea beverage containing non-polymer catechins at a high concentration and having a significantly reduced caffeine content can be obtained.

  Examples of oolong tea used in the oolong tea beverage of the present invention include the genus Camellia, such as C.I. sinensis, C.I. Examples include Oolong tea made from tea leaves obtained from assamicica or hybrids thereof through a fermentation process. Moreover, what is obtained by extracting with water or hot water from the tea leaves of semi-fermented teas, such as a color kind, iron kannon, and narcissus, may be used.

  About the method of obtaining Oolong tea extract used by this invention, it carries out by conventional methods, such as stirring extraction. Moreover, you may add organic acids or organic acid salts, such as sodium ascorbate, to water at the time of extraction beforehand. Oolong tea extract is produced under normal extraction conditions using water. The temperature of water when extracting from oolong tea leaves is preferably 70 to 100 (boiling water) ° C., more preferably 80 to 100 (boiling water) ° C. from the viewpoint of flavor. The amount of water at the time of extraction from oolong tea leaves is preferably 5 to 60 times by mass, more preferably 5 to 40 times by mass with respect to oolong tea leaves. The extraction time from oolong tea leaves is preferably 1 to 60 minutes, more preferably 1 to 40 minutes, and still more preferably 1 to 30 minutes. The extraction amount of non-polymer catechins and caffeine is not significantly affected under the conditions for obtaining these oolong tea extracts, and it is preferable to select the extraction conditions from the viewpoint of flavor.

In the present invention, caffeine is adsorbed by bringing the oolong tea extract obtained by the extraction method into contact with a hydrogen-type ion exchange resin, thereby reducing the caffeine contained in the oolong tea extract.
The method of contacting the oolong tea extract of the present invention with the hydrogen-type ion exchange resin can be carried out in a batch, semi-batch, semi-continuous or continuous manner, but the column is filled with the resin and continuously passed. A semi-continuous type or a continuous type is preferable from the viewpoint of caffeine removal efficiency.

  As the hydrogen ion exchange resin used in the present invention, a resin having a sulfonic acid group, a carboxyl group, a phosphoric acid group, or the like is used. Specifically, the SK series including Diaion SK1B, the PK series including Diaion PK208 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical), and the 100th series including Amberlite IR116 (manufactured by Rohm and Hirsch) Chelate resins such as W series (manufactured by Dow Chemical Co., Ltd.) such as Dowex 50W · X1, Diaion CR10 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation), and the like. More preferred is a strong acidic hydrogen ion exchange resin from the viewpoint of the ability to adsorb caffeine, and even more preferred is a strongly acidic hydrogen ion exchange resin having a sulfonic acid group. Specifically, SK-1B having a sulfonic acid group having strong acidic hydrogen ion exchange ability and SK-1BH in which hydrogen ion exchange has been performed at the time of shipment in advance are exemplified.

  The ion form of the hydrogen ion exchange resin used in the present invention is roughly classified into a metal ion form such as sodium ion, potassium ion and calcium ion and a hydrogen ion form. From the viewpoint of ion elution, the hydrogen ion form is preferred.

  In order to obtain sufficient caffeine adsorption capacity, the salt concentration and electrical conductivity of the water in the column packed with the hydrogen ion exchange resin in the present invention or the water from which the hydrogen ion exchange resin was washed are obtained. Before bringing into contact with the mold ion exchange resin, the salt concentration of the water in the column or the washed water is decreased to 0 to 0.2% by mass and the electric conductivity is decreased to 0 to 0.5 [S / m]. It is preferable to adjust.

  The pH of the water in the column packed with the hydrogen ion exchange resin in the present invention or the water after washing the hydrogen ion exchange resin is reduced to about 1 to 3 when the hydrogen ion exchange resin is passed through. Since the original flavor of the extract is impaired, before bringing the oolong tea extract into contact with the hydrogen ion exchange resin, the hydrogen ion exchange resin is washed with water to adjust the pH of the water in the column or the washed water. Adjust to 4-7. More preferably, pH is 4.5-7, More preferably, pH is 5-7.

  Specifically, when using a metal ion type hydrogen ion exchange resin, a strong acid aqueous solution such as hydrochloric acid is passed in advance to exchange the metal ion form from the hydrogen ion form, and the exchanged metal ion is exchanged with water. Washing is carried out, and the washed water is adjusted until the salt concentration becomes 0 to 0.2% by mass and the electric conductivity becomes 0 to 0.5 [S / m].

  More specifically, 2 mol / L of 1,000 to 5,000 mL of hydrochloric acid with respect to 100 mL of metal ion type strong hydrogen ion exchange resin is passed through SV = 50 to 100 to exchange it with the hydrogen ion type, Wash and adjust until washed water with a concentration of less than 0.2% by weight and an electrical conductivity of less than 0.5 [S / m] is obtained.

The hydrogen-type ion exchange resin used in the present invention is packed in a column, and the condition for bringing the oolong tea extract into contact with the packed column is 0.5 to 100 [ v / v] is preferable, and the liquid passing speed at this time is preferably SV = 0.5 to 20 [h ⁻¹ ]. This is because the adsorbing efficiency of caffeine may be insufficient when the passing rate exceeds 20 [h ⁻¹ ] or the passing rate exceeds 100 [v / v].

  The hydrogen-type ion exchange resin used in the present invention may be reused by using a predetermined method after the purification treatment. Examples thereof include water-soluble organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol and acetone that dissolve caffeine, and strong acid aqueous solutions such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid. Specifically, in addition to a method in which high-concentration ethanol of about 95% [v / v] is passed through a hydrogen-type ion exchange resin on which caffeine is adsorbed to elute and remove the adsorbed caffeine. In the same manner as described above, there is a method of regenerating to a hydrogen ion form with a strong acid aqueous solution such as hydrochloric acid.

  The non-polymer catechin-containing composition to be blended with the oolong tea extract with reduced caffeine obtained by the hydrogen ion exchange resin treatment in the present invention contains non-polymer catechins, and the non-polymer Catechin is a general term that includes non-epimeric catechins such as catechin, gallocatechin, catechin gallate, and gallocatechin gallate, and epicatechins such as epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin gallate. is there. Here, the non-polymer catechins contain at least one kind of catechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate, but usually all of them are contained.

  Examples of green tea leaves for obtaining a non-polymer catechin-containing composition to be blended in the oolong tea beverage of the present invention include the genus Camellia, such as C.I. sinensis, C.I. Examples include tea leaves produced from tea leaves obtained from assamica or hybrids thereof. Any tea leaves made from the tea can be used as long as they are non-fermented tea.

  The non-polymer catechins-containing composition to be blended in the oolong tea beverage of the present invention is produced under normal extraction conditions using water. The temperature of water when extracting from green tea leaves is preferably 70 to 100 (boiling water) ° C., more preferably 80 to 100 (boiling water) ° C. from the viewpoint of increasing the extraction efficiency of non-polymer catechins. The amount of water at the time of extraction from the green tea leaves is preferably 5 to 60 times by mass, more preferably 5 to 40 times by mass with respect to the green tea leaves. The extraction time from green tea leaves is preferably 1 to 60 minutes, more preferably 1 to 40 minutes, and still more preferably 1 to 30 minutes. If the extraction time is too short, elution of the non-polymer catechins is insufficient, and if it is too long, the non-epithelization reaction of the non-polymer catechins proceeds too much.

The non-polymer catechins-containing composition to be blended in the oolong tea beverage of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned production method, but is a concentrate of a so-called green tea extract, for example, JP-A-59-219384, JP-A-4-20589. , JP-A-5-306279, JP-A-2003-304811 and JP-A-2003-219800, and the like, commercial products, column purified products, and chemically synthesized products Etc. may be used. As a form of the concentrate of a tea extract here, various things, such as solid, aqueous solution, and a slurry form, are mentioned. Moreover, as a commercial item, Mitsui Norin Co., Ltd. "Polyphenone", ITO EN Co., Ltd. "Theafranc", Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd. "Sunphenon", etc. are mentioned.
The tea extract concentrate used in the present invention is preferably prepared in the form of an aqueous solution with a predetermined concentration by adding water in advance so that it can be easily blended into the oolong tea beverage of the present invention. It may be added directly to the reduced oolong tea beverage and dissolved.

  Furthermore, the non-polymer catechins-containing composition to be blended with the oolong tea beverage of the present invention satisfies the predetermined caffeine content of the oolong tea beverage of the present invention, and uses the tea extract as it is to improve the flavor. It is preferable to use a material in which caffeine is reduced by a technique for reducing the caffeine content. As a method for reducing caffeine, the method of contacting the hydrogen-type ion exchange resin as described above in the present invention, or by contacting the hydrogen-type ion exchange resin described in JP-A-11-228565 and removing the ethanol precipitate by filtration. Non-polymer catechins by adsorbing non-polymer catechins and caffeine by the above-mentioned porous polymerizing agent described above and adsorbing non-polymer catechins by ethanol or other organic solvents Containing non-polymer catechins by selectively purifying non-polymer catechins dispersed in water / ethanol system described in JP-A-2004-222719 by changing the ratio of water / ethanol system After obtaining the composition, a method using activated carbon and acid clay can be used.

  The mass ratio of caffeine content and non-polymer catechin content in the oolong tea extract and non-polymer catechin-containing composition obtained from the present invention is preferably 0.001 to 0.15, more preferably. Is 0.001 to 0.05, more preferably 0.001 to 0.01.

The concentration of non-polymer catechins in the oolong tea beverage in the present invention is preferably 40 mg / 100 mL to 300 mg / 100 mL, more preferably 100 mg / 100 mL to 200 mg / 100 mL. This is because if the concentration of the non-polymer catechins is less than 40 mg / 100 mL, a sufficient physiological effect cannot be obtained, and if it exceeds 300 mg / 100 mL, the flavor deteriorates.
The mass ratio of the caffeine content and the non-polymer catechin content in the oolong tea beverage according to the present invention is preferable in terms of physiological activity because the caffeine content is sufficiently reduced and contains a high concentration of non-polymer catechins. From 0.001 to 0.15, 0.001 to 0.05 is preferable, and 0.001 to 0.01 is more preferable.

  The mass% of the gallate body in the non-polymer catechins of the oolong tea beverage in the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the gallate body ratio) is 40% from the viewpoint of the transfer rate and flavor of the non-polymer catechins into the blood when consumed. Although it is -80 mass%, 40-70 mass% is preferable and 45-60 mass% is more preferable.

  Moreover, it is preferable that 20-80 mass% is contained from the point of the blood translocation rate of the ingested polymer catechin, and the non-epimeric rate in the non-polymer catechins of Oolong tea drink in this invention is more 25. -80 mass% is preferable, Furthermore, 30-80 mass% is preferable. In addition, the non-epimeric rate in this invention represents the mass ratio after receiving the heat | fever by disinfection and making it non-epi.

  The pH of the oolong tea beverage in the present invention is preferably pH 3-7 at 25 ° C., preferably pH 4-7, more preferably pH 5-7, due to the chemical stability of non-polymer catechins. When adjusting the pH, it is preferable to incorporate ascorbic acid including the effect of providing an antioxidant effect. When pH adjustment is unnecessary, it is preferable to add a metal salt of ascorbic acid, but specifically sodium ascorbate is preferable. Moreover, when the pH of the oolong tea extract obtained by contacting with the hydrogen-type ion exchange resin of the present invention is 3 or less, it is preferable to adjust the pH to 3 or more with baking soda or the like.

  The oolong tea beverage in the present invention is preferably mixed with a bitterness inhibitor because it becomes easy to drink. The bitterness inhibitor is preferably a water-soluble polymer or cyclodextrin. Examples of the water-soluble polymer include pectin and dextrin. As the cyclodextrin, α-, β-, γ-cyclodextrin and branched α-, β-, γ-cyclodextrin can be used.

  In the oolong tea beverage according to the present invention, an antioxidant, a sweetener, a fragrance, various esters, an organic acid, an organic acid salt, an inorganic acid, an inorganic acid salt, an inorganic salt, a pigment, and an emulsifier are combined with tea-derived ingredients. Additives such as preservatives, seasonings, pH adjusters, and quality stabilizers may be used alone or in combination. In particular, since it is a highly palatable oolong tea beverage, it can be blended with flavors obtained from lemon juice and organic acids such as citric acid, gluconic acid, lactic acid, and fruit juice acid.

  The container used for the container-packed oolong tea beverage of the present invention is compounded with a molded container (so-called PET bottle) mainly composed of polyethylene terephthalate, which is a transparent container, like a general beverage, a metal can, a metal foil or a plastic film. It can be provided in a normal form such as a paper container or bottle.

  Moreover, the said packaged drink is manufactured on the sterilization conditions prescribed | regulated to the food hygiene law, for example, when it can heat-sterilize after filling a container like a metal can. For PET bottles and paper containers that cannot be sterilized by retort, sterilize under the same conditions as above, for example, plate-type heat exchanger, etc. A method such as filling is employed. Moreover, you may mix | blend another component with the filled container under aseptic conditions.

(Non-polymer catechins and caffeine content measurement method)
A packed column for octadecyl group-introduced liquid chromatograph using a high-performance liquid chromatograph (model SCL-10AVP) manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation for the beverage packed in a container that is filtered with a filter (0.8 μm) and then diluted with deionized water L-column TM ODS (4.6 mmφ × 250 mm: manufactured by Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute) was attached, and measurement was performed by a gradient method at a column temperature of 35 ° C. The mobile phase A solution was a distilled aqueous solution containing 0.1 mol / L of acetic acid, the B solution was an acetonitrile solution containing 0.1 mol / L of acetic acid, the sample injection amount was 20 μL, and the UV detector wavelength was 280 nm. (Normally, the concentrations of catechins and caffeine are expressed as mass / volume% (% [w / v]), but the contents in the examples are expressed by mass by multiplying the liquid amount).

(Measurement of electrical conductivity and salinity)
The electrical conductivity meter DS-51 manufactured by HORIBA, Ltd. was used, and the electrical conductivity [S / m] and the salt concentration (mass%), which are numerical values converted to 25 ° C., were used.

(Physical properties and flavor evaluation after sterilization)
Using the oolong tea extract and non-polymer catechins-containing composition (aqueous solution) obtained in each Example, the catechin concentration is 140 mg / 100 mL of the non-polymer catechin-containing composition (aqueous solution) in the oolong tea extract. ˜180 mg / 100 mL, compounded with cyclic dextrin and sodium ascorbate, adjusted to pH 6.2 to 6.4 with 10 mass% sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution, and deionized water did. Next, after injecting a fixed amount of samples of the present invention products 1 to 4 and comparative products 1 to 2 into a predetermined container, nitrogen substitution was performed, and after sealing, heat sterilization was performed at 122 ° C. for 10 minutes using a UHT sterilizer. After sterilization, the concentration of non-polymer catechins (mg / 100 mL), caffeine concentration (mg / 100 mL) and physical properties were measured, and flavor evaluation was performed by 5 panelists to confirm the taste and smell.

<Example 1>
(Manufacture of oolong tea extract)
Extract 333 g of Anxi color oolong tea leaves with 10,000 g of 90 ° C. deionized water to which 6.66 g of baking soda was added, cool and filter through wire mesh, remove fine particles with No. 2 filter paper, extract 8 , 000 g was obtained. The extract contained 169.7 mg / 100 mL of non-polymer catechins, and the gallate content was 58.6%. Caffeine was contained in 69.8 mg / 100 mL, and the mass ratio of caffeine / non-polymer catechins was 0.41.

2,200 mL of hydrogen-type ion exchange resin SK-1BH (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) packed in a stainless steel column (inner diameter: 72.3 mm × height: 3,200 mm), and then SV = 70 [h ⁻¹ ] to 51, Wash with 920 mL deionized water. The salt concentration after hydrogen ion substitution was reduced to 0.0 mass%, and the electrical conductivity was reduced to 0.0082 [S / m]. Further, the pH of the cleaning solution was 6.98, and the flavor was confirmed, so that neither acidity nor saltiness was felt.

Next, the entire amount of the obtained oolong tea extract was passed through the hydrogen ion exchange resin column subjected to hydrogen ion substitution at SV = 5.0 [h ⁻¹ ], then washed with deionized water, and 1002.4 g Was recovered. The obtained passing liquid contained 112.1 mg / 100 mL of non-polymer catechins, and the gallate content of the non-polymer catechins composition was 58.1% by mass. Moreover, 0.3 mg / 100 mL of caffeine was contained, and the mass ratio of caffeine / non-polymer catechins was 0.003. The pH of the passing liquid was 3.8. Moreover, the caffeine removal rate (%) of the obtained passing liquid is 100-((caffeine content (0.3 mg / 100 mL) of non-polymer catechins-containing composition after treatment) / catechin preparation before treatment. The content of caffeine (148.2 g) (69.8 mg / 100 mL)) × 100) was 99.6%.

(Production of non-polymer catechin-containing composition)
Catechin preparation (Polyphenone HG, manufactured by Tokyo Food Techno Co., Ltd., non-polymer catechin content 29.75% by mass, caffeine content 4.76% by mass, caffeine / non-polymer catechins = 0.16, gallate body 148.2 g) was dissolved in deionized water under normal temperature and 200 rpm stirring conditions to make a total amount of 8,000 g.

2,200 mL of hydrogen-type ion exchange resin SK-1BH (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) packed in a stainless steel column (inner diameter: 72.3 mm × height: 3,200 mm), and then SV = 70 [h ⁻¹ ] to 51, Wash with 920 mL deionized water.

Next, the entire amount of the dissolved catechin preparation was passed through the column at SV = 5.0 [h ⁻¹ ] and then washed with deionized water to recover 1006.3 g. The obtained passing liquid contained 429.9 mg / 100 mL of non-polymer catechins, and the gallate content of the non-polymer catechins composition was 51.5% by mass. Moreover, 0.5 mg / 100 mL of caffeine was contained, and the mass ratio of caffeine / non-polymer catechins was 0.001. Moreover, the caffeine removal rate (%) of the obtained passing liquid is 100-((caffeine content (0.5 mg / 100 mL) of non-polymer catechins-containing composition after treatment) / catechin preparation before treatment. (148.2 g) caffeine content (88.2 mg / 100 mL)) × 100), which was 99.4%.
The obtained passing liquid was used as a non-polymer catechin-containing composition (aqueous solution) with reduced caffeine.

<Example 2>
(Manufacture of oolong tea extract)
Ion exchange resin SK-1B (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) 2,200 mL packed in a stainless steel column (inner diameter 72.3 mm × height 3,200 mm) was preliminarily set to 2 mol / L hydrochloric acid at SV = 70 [h ⁻¹ ]. Hydrogen ion exchange was performed with 29,075 mL, and then washed with 51,920 mL of deionized water at SV = 70 [h ⁻¹ ]. The salt concentration after hydrogen ion substitution was reduced to 0.10% by mass, and the electrical conductivity was reduced to 0.23 [S / m]. Further, the pH of the cleaning solution was 5.12, and the flavor was confirmed, so that neither acidity nor saltiness was felt.
Using the same oolong tea extract as in Example 1, the same liquid passing operation as in Example 1 was performed to recover 8,450 g. The obtained passing liquid contained 120.2 mg / 100 mL of non-polymer catechins, and the gallate content of the non-polymer catechins composition was 59.0% by mass. Further, it contained 1.5 mg / 100 mL of caffeine, and the mass ratio of caffeine / non-polymer catechins was 0.012. The passing solution had a pH of 3.6. The removal rate (%) of caffeine in the obtained passing liquid is 100-((caffeine content of oolong tea extract after treatment (1.5 mg / 100 mL) / caffeine content of oolong tea extract before treatment) Amount (69.8 mg / 100 mL)) × 100), which was 97.8%.
The obtained passing liquid was used as an oolong tea extract with reduced caffeine.

(Production of non-polymer catechin-containing composition)
The non-polymer catechins-containing composition obtained in Example 1 was used.

<Example 3>
(Manufacture of oolong tea extract)
The oolong tea extract obtained in Example 1 was used.

(Production of non-polymer catechins composition)
Catechin preparation (polyphenone G, manufactured by Tokyo Food Techno Co., Ltd., non-polymer catechins content 33.70% by mass, caffeine content 5.5% by mass, caffeine / non-polymer catechins = 0.163, gallate body 270 g is suspended in 1325 g of 95% aqueous ethanol solution at 200 rpm with stirring at room temperature, 54 g of activated carbon (Kuraray Coal GLC, manufactured by Kuraray Chemical Co.) and acid clay (Mizuka Ace # 600, Mizusawa Chemical) After adding 135 g), stirring was continued for about 10 minutes. Then, 1104.6 g of 40% ethanol aqueous solution was dropped over 10 minutes, and then the stirring treatment was continued for about 30 minutes at room temperature. Thereafter, the activated carbon and the precipitate were filtered with No. 2 filter paper, and then re-filtered with a 0.2 μm membrane filter. Finally, 540 g of deionized water was added to the filtrate, and ethanol was distilled off at 40 ° C. and 25 Torr to obtain 326.5 g of a non-polymer catechin composition. In the non-polymer catechins-containing composition (aqueous solution), the non-polymer catechins content is 22,000 mg / 100 mL, the caffeine content is 2,210 mg / 100 mL, and the non-polymer catechins / caffeine = 0. 100, the gallate body ratio was 50.7% by mass. Moreover, the caffeine removal rate (%) of the obtained passing liquid is 100-((caffeine content (7.22 g) of the non-polymer catechins-containing composition after treatment (aqueous solution) (326.5 g)). / Determined by the caffeine content (148.5 g)) × 100) of the catechin preparation before treatment (270 g), which was 95.1%.
The obtained passing liquid was used as a non-polymer catechin-containing composition (aqueous solution) with reduced caffeine.

<Example 4>
(Manufacture of oolong tea extract)
The oolong tea extract obtained in Example 1 was used.

(Production of non-polymer catechins composition)
The same operation as in Example 3 was performed except that activated carbon and acid clay were added and 2430 g of 95% ethanol aqueous solution was used instead of 40% ethanol aqueous solution to obtain 350.2 g of a non-polymer catechin composition. The non-polymer catechins-containing composition (aqueous solution) has a non-polymer catechins content of 23,643 mg / 100 mL, a caffeine content of 1,490 mg / 100 mL, a non-polymer catechins / caffeine = 0.063, The gallate content was 51.2% by mass. Moreover, the caffeine removal rate (%) of the obtained passing liquid is 100-((caffeine content (5.22 g) of non-polymer catechins-containing composition after treatment (aqueous solution) (350.2 g)). / Caffeine content (148.5 g) of the catechin preparation (270 g) before treatment (148.5 g)) × 100), which was 96.5%.

<Comparative Example 1>
The same operation as in Example 1 was performed except that the oolong tea extract obtained in Example 1 was used as it was and was not passed through the hydrogen ion exchange resin.

<Comparative example 2>
The same operation as in Example 2 was performed, except that the oolong tea extract was used in the same manner as in Example 2 and the hydrogen-type ion exchange resin was adjusted to 2 mol / L hydrochloric acid and in the sodium form without being washed with water.

Table 1 shows the analysis results. The oolong tea extract after the treatment of Examples 1 to 4 shows a value that is extremely smaller than the caffeine / non-polymer catechin mass ratio of the oolong tea extract of Comparative Example 1, and thus oolong tea with reduced caffeine. It is an extract.
In addition, the non-polymer catechins-containing composition (aqueous solution) after the treatment in Examples 1 to 4 is a caffeine / non-polymer of an untreated non-polymer catechins-containing composition (catechin preparations polyphenone HG and G). A value smaller than the catechin mass ratio (0.16) indicates that the composition is a non-polymer catechin-containing composition (aqueous solution) with reduced caffeine.

  Table 2 shows the composition and evaluation results of oolong tea beverages using the oolong tea extract and the non-polymer catechin-containing composition obtained in Examples 1 to 4.

  Non-polymer catechins in any of the blends of inventive products 1 to 4 using the oolong tea extract of Examples 1 to 4 and the non-polymer catechin-containing composition (aqueous solution) as compared with comparative products 1 and 2 Was obtained at a high concentration, and a oolong tea beverage with reduced caffeine could be obtained. In addition, in the flavor evaluation after sterilization using a packaged beverage as a model system, no off-flavors or off-flavors such as acidity and bitterness were felt.

Claims (6)

Contact with strongly acidic hydrogen ion exchange resin adjusted so that the salt concentration of the washed water is 0 to 0.2% by mass, the electrical conductivity is 0 to 0.5 [S / m], and the pH is 4 to 7. In a beverage obtained by blending oolong tea extract with reduced caffeine and a non-polymer catechins-containing composition, the beverage contains non-polymer catechins at a concentration of 40 mg / 100 mL to 300 mg / 100 mL. The mass ratio of caffeine / non-polymer catechins is 0.001 to 0.085, the gallate content in the non-polymer catechins is 40 to 80% by mass, and the pH is 4 to 7. Container-packed oolong tea drink. The non-polymer catechins-containing composition is adjusted so that the salt concentration of the washed water is 0 to 0.2% by mass, the electric conductivity is 0 to 0.5 [S / m], and the pH is 4 to 7. The container-packed oolong tea beverage according to claim 1, wherein the caffeine contained in the non-polymer catechin-containing composition is reduced by contacting with the strongly acidic hydrogen ion exchange resin.   The container-packed oolong tea beverage according to claim 1 or 2, comprising ascorbic acid or a metal salt of ascorbic acid.   The container-packed oolong tea drink according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container is a transparent container. Strongly acidic hydrogen ion exchange resin prepared by adjusting the oolong tea extract to a washed water salt concentration of 0 to 0.2% by mass, electrical conductivity of 0 to 0.5 [S / m], and pH of 4 to 7. In the beverage containing the non-polymer catechins in a concentration of 40 mg / 100 mL to 300 mg / 100 mL, and caffeine / non-caffeine content is reduced. The weight ratio of the polymer catechins is 0.001 to 0.085, the gallate content in the non-polymer catechins is 40 to 80% by mass, and the pH is 3 to 7. Manufacturing method. The non-polymer catechins-containing composition to be blended is adjusted such that the salt concentration of the washed water is 0 to 0.2% by mass, the electrical conductivity is 0 to 0.5 [S / m], and the pH is 4 to 7. The method for producing a container-packed oolong tea beverage according to claim 5, wherein the caffeine contained in the non-polymer catechins-containing composition is reduced by contacting with a strongly acidic hydrogen ion exchange resin.