摘要 |
<p>A process for preparing a tea extract is disclosed in which a heated aqueous tea slurry is confined in a first zone separated from a second zone by a liquid-pervious barrier, a body of extraction liquid is maintained in said second zone to permit diffusion of tea solubles from the tea slurry into the extraction liquid, the volume of the slurry being 0.5 to 2.5 times the volume of the body of extraction liquid. After a suitable contact time, the extraction liquid and slurry are removed from the zones and the tea solubles diffused in the extraction liquid and present in the slurry ultimately are combined, intervening processing including, for example, stripping and removing of aromatic volatiles before a final extract product is provided. Apparatus for carrying out the process also is disclosed.</p> |