Abstract: A coffee extract with increased coffee-specific aroma and reduced off-flavors is provided. The ratio of (A) the peak area ratio of 2,3-butanedione to (B) the sum of the peak area ratio of guaiacol and the peak area ratio of 4-ethylguaiacol [(A)/(B)] in the coffee extract is adjusted to a specific range. Alternatively, the ratio of (a) the concentration (ppb) of 2,3-butanedione to (b) the total concentration (ppb) of guaiacol and 4-ethylguaiacol [(a)/(b)] in the coffee extract is adjusted to a specific range.

Abstract: A method for producing a coffee extract with increased coffee-specific aroma and reduced off-flavors is provided. A coffee extract prepared by extraction at low temperature (70 to 120° C.) in the first extraction step is mixed with a coffee extract prepared by an evaporative concentration treatment after the second extraction step, in which roasted and ground coffee beans used in the first extraction step is used for extraction at high temperature (125 to 150° C.).

Abstract: A method for producing a coffee extract with increased coffee-specific aroma and reduced off-flavors is provided. A coffee extract prepared by extraction at low temperature (70 to 120° C.) in the first extraction step is mixed with a coffee extract prepared by an evaporative concentration treatment after the second extraction step, in which roasted and ground coffee beans used in the first extraction step is used for extraction at high temperature (125 to 150° C.).

Abstract: A coffee extract with increased coffee-specific aroma and reduced off-flavors is provided. The ratio of (A) the peak area ratio of 2,3-butanedione to (B) the sum of the peak area ratio of guaiacol and the peak area ratio of 4-ethylguaiacol [(A)/(B)] in the coffee extract is adjusted to a specific range. Alternatively, the ratio of (a) the concentration (ppb) of 2,3-butanedione to (b) the total concentration (ppb) of guaiacol and 4-ethylguaiacol [(a)/(b)] in the coffee extract is adjusted to a specific range.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to increase the rate at which lignan-class compounds are absorbed into the body, namely, to provide fast-acting lignan-class compounds. Provided is an oil-in-water emulsion which comprises a water phase and an oil phase comprising at least one kind of lignan-class compounds dissolved therein and being emulsified in the water phase, wherein the oil droplets which serve as a dispersion phase in the emulsion are made finer by high-speed agitation or other method so that their average particle size is 1000 nm or smaller, preferably 500 nm or smaller, and more preferably 300 nm or smaller, whereby the rate at which lignan-class compounds are absorbed into the body is improved to impart immediate action.

Abstract: An O/W/O emulsion composition having at least one of lignan-class compounds dissolved in an internal oil phase is disclosed. This composition can be produced by a process comprising the steps of 1) dissolving at least one of lignan-class compounds in oil or fat to prepare a lignan-class compound dissolving liquid; 2) emulsifying the lignan-class compound dissolving liquid in a water phase to form an O/W emulsion; and 3) further emulsifying the O/W emulsion in an oil phase to prepare an O/W/O emulsion. This is a lignan-class compound containing composition that is enhanced in the amount of bodily absorption of lignan-class compounds.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to increase the rate at which lignan-class compounds are absorbed into the body, namely, to provide fast-acting lignan-class compounds. Provided is an oil-in-water emulsion which comprises a water phase and an oil phase comprising at least one kind of lignan-class compounds dissolved therein and being emulsified in the water phase, wherein the oil droplets which serve as a dispersion phase in the emulsion are made finer by high-speed agitation or other method so that their average particle size is 1000 nm or smaller, preferably 500 nm or smaller, and more preferably 300 nm or smaller, whereby the rate at which lignan-class compounds are absorbed into the body is improved to impart immediate action.