Abstract: Methods for modulating the bitterness and astringency of green tea, and nutritional products having a green tea with reduced bitterness and astringency, are provided. In a general embodiment, the methods comprise performing microfiltration on green tea extract to form a microfiltration retentate and a microfiltration permeate; performing at least one of ultrafiltration or reduced temperature fractionation on the microfiltration permeate; and using the ultrafiltration permeate from the ultrafiltration or the supernatant from the reduced temperature fractionation to make a green tea product. The ultrafiltration permeate or the supernatant can be further concentrated, spray or freeze dried to form a powder, used as a concentrate, or diluted to form a ready-to-drink beverage.

Abstract: Methods for modulating the bitterness and astringency of green tea, and nutritional products having a green tea with reduced bitterness and astringency, are provided. In a general embodiment, the methods comprise performing microfiltration on green tea extract to form a microfiltration retentate and a microfiltration permeate; performing at least one of ultrafiltration or reduced temperature fractionation on the microfiltration permeate; and using the ultrafiltration permeate from the ultrafiltration or the supernatant from the reduced temperature fractionation to make a green tea product. The ultrafiltration permeate or the supernatant can be further concentrated, spray or freeze dried to form a powder, used as a concentrate, or diluted to form a ready-to-drink beverage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a weight management beverage composition and methods of aiding in weight maintenance by promoting increased energy expenditure (“thermogenesis”) while simultaneously increasing satiety thereby decreasing overall energy intake of persons who consume these compositions. The compositions set forth herein include dry beverage mixes beverage concentrates as well as beverages in ready to drink form so that they can be used in a variety of settings.

Abstract: A tea bag for ice tea beverages. The tea bag contains a tea mixture made up of about 30% to about 95% by weight of tea leaves, and about 5% to about 70% by weight of dried soluble tea solids. The tea bag may be immersed in cold water to provide a tea beverage of acceptable color and flavor in less than about 10 minutes.