Abstract: A powdered black tea drink mix is prepared by subjecting to extraction with hot water at a temperature of between about 60.degree. and 130.degree. C., separating the tea leaves from the extract; concentrating this first extract to a solids content of between about 5 and 12% and cooling the first extract to a temperature of between 5.degree. and 15.degree. C. in order to form an insoluble tea cream which is separated from the first concentrated extract. This tea cream is mixed with the spent black tea leaves or with green tea leaves to form a mixture which is extracted with water at a temperature greater than about 70.degree. C. in order to obtain a second extract which is separated from the spent leaves. The first and the second extracts are mixed, concentrated to the desired solids content and dried to form the powdered drink mix.

Abstract: A process for the production of a cold-water soluble instant tea which comprises extracting black tea leaves with hot water, concentrating and cooling the hot-water extract of black tea leaves to precipitate substantially all the tea cream characterized in that the concentrated, cooled extract of black tea leaves is treated with an appropriate quantity of a catechin or mixture of catechins capable of rendering the tea cream soluble in cold water at from 10.degree. C. to 30.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the production of a cold soluble powdered tea extract wherein a hot soluble powdered tea extract is treated with a mixture of from 25% to 65% by weight of a carboxylic acid and from 15% to 65% by weight of a carboxylic acid salt based on the weight of the hot soluble powdered tea extract and ground to the desired particle size.

Abstract: A process for preparing a powdered tea extract which comprises extracting tea leaves firstly at ambient temperature and then at an elevated temperature, with an aqueous medium which contains, at least during the extraction at ambient temperature, a food-acceptable carboxylic acid or a corresponding food-acceptable salt or any mixture thereof and afterwards drying the aqueous extract obtained.