Process for preparing a soluble tea product

摘要

This invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of cold-water soluble tea products wherein tea tannins which have been partially oxidized to improve their solubility are contacted with native tea tannins. The admixture of oxidized and native tannins is permitted to equilibrate until the desired final color is obtained, and thereafter the unoxidized tannins are precipitated so as to leave a clear aqueous solution useful for the preparation of instant tea products.