Abstract: A process for selectively removing caffeine from a caffeine-containing catechin composition, which includes dissolving the caffeine-containing catechin composition in a 9/1 to 1/9 by weight mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, and then bringing the resultant solution into contact with activated carbon alone or with activated carbon and also acid clay or activated clay; and a packaged beverage containing such a decaffeinated composition.

Abstract: A polyphenol composition derived from Camellia sinensis and contains flavonol aglycones and flavonol glycosides, in a weight ratio [(B)/(A)] of the following total contents (B) to (A) is from 0.01 to 18, wherein (A) total content of the flavonol aglycones contained in solids of the polyphenol composition after hydrolysis as measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and (B) total content of the polyphenols contained in solids of the polyphenol composition as measured by the ferrous tartrate method.

Abstract: A polyphenol composition derived from Camellia sinensis and contains flavonol aglycones and flavonol glycosides, in a weight ratio [(B)/(A)] of the following total contents (B) to (A) is from 0.01 to 18, wherein (A) total content of the flavonol aglycones contained in solids of the polyphenol composition after hydrolysis as measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and (B) total content of the polyphenols contained in solids of the polyphenol composition as measured by the ferrous tartrate method.

Abstract: A polyphenol composition derived from Camellia sinensis and contains flavonol aglycones and flavonol glycosides, in a weight ratio [(B)/(A)] of the following total contents (B) to (A) is from 0.01 to 18, wherein (A) total content of the flavonol aglycones contained in solids of the polyphenol composition after hydrolysis as measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and (B) total content of the polyphenols contained in solids of the polyphenol composition as measured by the ferrous tartrate method.

Abstract: A process for selectively removing caffeine from a caffeine-containing catechin composition, which comprises dissolving the caffeine-containing catechin composition in a 9/1 to 1/9 by weight mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, and then bringing the resultant solution into contact with activated carbon alone or with activated carbon and also acid clay or activated clay; and a packaged beverage containing such a decaffeinated composition.

Abstract: A process for selectively removing caffeine from a caffeine-containing catechin composition, which includes dissolving the caffeine-containing catechin composition in a 9/1 to 1/9 by weight mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, and then bringing the resultant solution into contact with activated carbon alone or with activated carbon and also acid clay or activated clay; and a packaged beverage containing such a decaffeinated composition.

Abstract: Provided is a polyphenol composition derived from Camellia sinensis and having reduced harshness. The polyphenol composition according to the invention is derived from Camellia sinensis and contains flavonol aglycones and flavonol glycosides. A weight ratio [(B)/(A)] of the following total contents (B) to (A) is from 0.01 to 18: (A) total content of the flavonol aglycones contained in solids of the polyphenol composition after hydrolysis as measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and (B) total content of the polyphenols contained in solids of the polyphenol composition as measured by the ferrous tartrate method.

Abstract: Provided is a packaged beverage, which comprises, in the dissolved form, catechins composed of the following non-polymer component (A) and another non-polymer component (B): (A) non-epi-catechins, (b) epi-catechins, and has, per 500 mL of the packaged beverage, said components in amounts satisfying the following equations: (A)+(B)=460 to 2500 mg??(i) (A)=160 to 2250 mg??(ii) (A)/(B)=0.54 to 9.0.??(iii) The packaged beverages of the present invention are excellent in stability of color tone and transparent appearance even after long-term storage, have smooth feeling in the throat upon drinking, and have good palatability; and in addition, have PPAR-dependent gene transcription activating effects which are safe and effective for prevention and alleviation of obesity.

Abstract: A process for selectively removing caffeine from a caffeine-containing catechin composition, which comprises dissolving the caffeine-containing catechin composition in a 9/1 to 1/9 by weight mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, and then bringing the resultant solution into contact with activated carbon alone or with activated carbon and also acid clay or activated clay; and a packaged beverage containing such a decaffeinated composition.

Abstract: A process for selectively removing caffeine from a caffeine-containing catechin composition, which includes dissolving the caffeine-containing catechin composition in a 9/1 to 1/9 by weight mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, and then bringing the resultant solution into contact with activated carbon alone or with activated carbon and also acid clay or activated clay; and a packaged beverage containing such a decaffeinated composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a green tea flavor by extracting it from green tea leaves with water cooler than 10° C., and also to a beverage with the flavor obtained by the process and added therein. This invention also relates to a process for producing a dried green tea polyphenol by subjecting green tea leaves to a first extraction with water cooler than 10° C. and then to a second extraction with warm water of 50° C. or higher, and drying an extract of the second extraction, and also with a process for producing a beverage by adding a green tea polyphenol obtained by the process.

Abstract: Provided are packaged, tea-based beverages, which stably contain catechins at high concentration, are free of any salty taste, and have the inherent flavor and taste of tea. They contain the following ingredients (A) and (B): (A) from 320 mg/500 mL to 1,300 mg/500 mL of non-polymer catechins, and (B) water, wherein: (C) the content of non-epicatechins in the non-polymer catechins is from 40 to 80 wt. %, (D) the content of gallates in the non-polymer catechins is from 35 to 100 wt. %, (E) the weight ratio of the non-polymer catechins to sodium ions is from 12 to 16, and (F) the pH is from 5 to 7.

Abstract: Provided are packaged, tea-based beverages, which contain non-polymer catechins at high concentration, are reduced in bitterness, acridness and the like, and are improved in flavor and taste. They contain the following ingredients (A), (B) and (C): (A) from 320 mg/500 mL to 1,300 mg/500 mL of non-polymer catechins, (B) caffeine, and (C) water, wherein: (D) the content of non-epicatechins in the non-polymer catechins is from 40 to 80 wt. %, (E) the weight ratio of the non-polymer catechins to the caffeine is from 5 to 8, (F) the weight ratio of the non-polymer catechins to total polyphenols is from 0.88 to 1.0, (G) the turbidity is 0.7 or lower, and (H) the pH is from 5 to 7.

Abstract: Provided is a beverage having a concentrated or purified tea extract incorporated therein and containing the following ingredients (A) and (B): (A) non-polymer catechins from 0.092 to 0.5 wt. %, (B) quinic acid at a weight ratio of [(B)/(A)] falling within a range of from 0.01 to 0.1. The beverage of the present invention is suited for daily drinking, because it does not generate an uncomfortable aftertaste which will otherwise remain after bitterness or astringency peculiar to catechins is alleviated by a sweetener or the like.

Abstract: Provided is a packaged beverage comprising the following ingredients (A) and (B): (A) non-polymer catechins in an amount of from 0.092 to 0.5 g/100 mL beverage, (B) an alcoholic precipitate in an amount of 0.015 g/100 mL beverage or less in terms of the amount of magnesium, at a weight ratio (A)/(B) ranging from 30/1 to 50000/1. The packaged beverage of the present invention is the best suited beverage for health promotion, because drinking of it permits transfer of a large amount of catechins to the blood form the beverage and their absorption in the body is excellent.

Abstract: A process for selectively removing caffeine from a caffeine-containing catechin composition, which comprises dissolving the caffeine-containing catechin composition in a 9/1 to 1/9 by weight mixed solution of an organic solvent and water, and then bringing the resultant solution into contact with activated carbon alone or with activated carbon and also acid clay or activated clay; and a packaged beverage containing such a decaffeinated composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a green tea flavor by extracting it from green tea leaves with water cooler than 10° C., and also to a beverage with the flavor obtained by the process and added therein. This invention also relates to a process for producing a dried green tea polyphenol by subjecting green tea leaves to a first extraction with water cooler than 10° C. and then to a second extraction with warm water of 50° C. or higher, and drying an extract of the second extraction, and also with a process for producing a beverage by adding a green tea polyphenol obtained by the process.

Abstract: Provided are packaged, tea-based beverages, which stably contain catechins at high concentration, are free of any salty taste, and have the inherent flavor and taste of tea. They contain the following ingredients (A) and (B): (A) from 320 mg/500 mL to 1,300 mg/500 mL of non-polymer catechins, and (B) water, wherein: (C) the content of non-epicatechins in the non-polymer catechins is from 40 to 80 wt. %, (D) the content of gallates in the non-polymer catechins is from 35 to 100 wt. %, (E) the weight ratio of the non-polymer catechins to sodium ions is from 12 to 16, and (F) the pH is from 5 to 7.

Abstract: Provided are packaged, tea-based beverages, which contain non-polymer catechins at high concentration, are reduced in bitterness, acridness and the like, and are improved in flavor and taste. They contain the following ingredients (A), (B) and (C): (A) from 320 mg/500 mL to 1,300 mg/500 mL of non-polymer catechins, (B) caffeine, and (C) water, wherein: (D) the content of non-epicatechins in the non-polymer catechins is from 40 to 80 wt. %, (E) the weight ratio of the non-polymer catechins to the caffeine is from 5 to 8, (F) the weight ratio of the non-polymer catechins to total polyphenols is from 0.88 to 1.0, (G) the turbidity is 0.7 or lower, and (H) the pH is from 5 to 7.

Abstract: Provided is a packaged beverage, which comprises, in the dissolved form, catechins composed of the following non-polymer component (A) and another non-polymer component (B): (A) non-epi-catechins, (b) epi-catechins, and has, per 500 mL of the packaged beverage, said components in amounts satisfying the following equations: (i) (A)+(B)=460 to 2500 mg (ii) (A)=160 to 2250 mg (iii) (A)/(B)=0.54 to 9.0. The packaged beverages of the present invention are excellent in stability of color tone and transparent appearance even after long-term storage, have smooth feeling in the throat upon drinking, and have good palatability; and in addition, have PPAR-dependent gene transcription activating effects which are safe and effective for prevention and alleviation of obesity.