JP3981108B2 - Tea beverage - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a catechin-containing beverage that improves taste such as bitterness and astringency and suppresses occurrence of orientation and cream down.

  It has been reported that catechins contained in tea have many health effects such as antioxidant action, blood cholesterol inhibitory action, blood pressure lowering action, blood sugar level rise inhibiting action. The catechins include ester forms (−)-epigallocatechin gallate; EGCg, (−)-gallocatechin gallate; GCg, (−)-epicatechin gallate; ECg, (−)-catechin gallate; Cg, and (-)-Epigallocatechin; EGC, (-)-gallocatechin; GC, (-)-epicatechin; EC, (-)-catechin; C, (+)-catechin; (+) C Applicable.

  On the other hand, examples of the components involved in the taste of tea-based beverages (referred to as tea-based beverages as a generic term for beverages containing tea leaf extract components in the present invention) include methylxanthines, particularly caffeine. Caffeine is thought to be involved in bitterness and taste, and high doses of caffeine are highly irritating. When a high dose is taken for the purpose of the health function of catechins, this tea-derived caffeine is simultaneously contained in a high concentration. A high concentration of caffeine does not give a favorable impression from the viewpoints of side effects and bitterness and taste in taste.

  In recent years, in anticipation of the functionality of catechins, attention has been focused on taking catechins more aggressively, and by studying combinations of catechins and caffeine, tea systems with reduced caffeine A beverage is disclosed.

  Patent Document 1 contains caffeine in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or less with respect to 1 part by mass of catechins, and cyclodextrin, preferably 0.1-20.0 parts by mass of β-cyclodextrin, Foods and drinks containing preferably 0.1 to 10.0 parts by mass are disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 includes (a) at least 80% by mass of water, (b) at least 0.05% by mass of flavanols selected from the group consisting of catechins, catechin derivatives, epicatechins, epicatechin derivatives and mixtures thereof. c) at least 0.2% by weight of a flavor substance selected from the group consisting of fruit flavors, plant flavors and mixtures thereof; and (d) 0.002 to 1.0% by weight of caffeine (provided that caffeine versus flavanols) The ratio is 1: 1 to 1:30).

  Patent Document 3 discloses a green tea extract based on 1% soluble solids, a. A mixture of catechins having a molecular weight range corresponding to a microfiltration membrane made from a polymer having a cut-off nominal molecular weight of 700 to 5000 Daltons, comprising (1) at least 130 ppm epicatechin, (2) at least 300 ppm epigallocatechin (3) at least 350 ppm epigallocatechin gallate, and (4) the catechin mixture containing at least 60 ppm epicatechin gallate; b. At least 50 ppm theanine; c. Each of 10 ppm or less of calcium, magnesium, manganese, aluminum, zinc, and iron ions; d. A green tea extract having an absorbance of 0.06 or less when measured at 600 nm and further comprising at least 450 ppm of caffeine is disclosed.

  Patent Document 4 includes (A) non-polymer catechins 320 mg / 500 mL to 1300 mg / 500 mL, (B) caffeine, and (C) a non-epimeric catechin content in non-polymer catechins of 40. To 80 mass%, (D) the mass ratio of non-polymer catechins to caffeine is 5 to 8, and (E) the mass ratio of non-polymer catechins to total polyphenols is 0.88 to 1.0. And (F) a non-polymer catechin having a high turbidity of 0.7 or less, a reduced bitterness, a delicious taste, etc., and an improved flavor. Is disclosed.

  Patent Document 5 discloses that a caffeine-containing catechin composition is dissolved in a mixed solution having a mass ratio of an organic solvent and water of 9/1 to 1/9 and contacted with activated carbon. A method for selectively removing caffeine from a catechin composition is disclosed.

  Patent Document 6 discloses non-polymer catechins (A) and cafes having a mass ratio [(A) / (B)] of non-polymer catechins (A) and caffeine (B) of 0.3 or more. A blood total ketone body concentration-increasing agent containing in (B) is disclosed.

  Patent Document 7 discloses that epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate 50 to 65% obtained by a method of extracting a polyphenol fraction of Camellia sinensis (tea) containing 0.2% by mass or less of caffeine, A polyphenol fraction of Camellia sinensis containing 13-20% catechin-3-O-gallate, 2-4% epicatechin, 1.5-3% epigallocatechin, and 0.2% or less caffeine. It is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 3259758 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-004919) Japanese Patent No. 3162359 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-164136) Japanese Patent No. 3507433 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-197863) JP 2004-129669 A JP 2004-180535 A JP 2004-35417 A JP 2002-187848 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage with improved flavor and quality while maintaining a high concentration of highly functional catechin.

  The present inventor has examined in view of the above problems, and adjusts the concentration of ester catechin in the beverage, the ratio of ester catechin and free catechin in the beverage, and the ratio of ester catechin and caffeine to a predetermined range. Thus, the present inventors have found new knowledge that has the original flavor of tea, reduces astringency, bitterness, and egy taste, and can further suppress the occurrence of so-called oli cream-down. I came up with.

That is, the present invention is a beverage containing (A) ester type catechin, (B) free type catechin and (C) caffeine, and the content thereof is (A) (A) + (B) = 500- 6000 mg / L
(B) (A) / [(A) + (B)] = 0.7 to 1.0
(C) (A) / (C) = 6 to 27
It is to provide a beverage that is.

Catechins are the main components constituting the taste of tea-based beverages, and it is considered that free catechins contribute to the astringency of tea-based beverages.
In addition, ester type catechins (EGCg, GCg, ECg, Cg) are more reactive with other components than free catechins (EGC, GC, EC, C, (+) C), and this is Significant health function.
Generally, the amount of ester catechin contained in the tea extract is about 50% with respect to the total amount of ester catechin and free catechin.
The present invention increases the catechin content while increasing the ratio of (A) ester-type catechin within a predetermined range and adjusting the ratio of (C) caffeine to (A) ester-type catechin, It is a beverage that has an original flavor, reduces astringency, bitterness, and savory taste, and can selectively and efficiently consume ester-type catechins. In addition, so-called olive cream down is suppressed, and the beverage is suitable as a tea-based beverage.

  Embodiments of the beverage of the present invention will be described below. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

(Beverage)
The present invention is a beverage containing (A) ester type catechin, (B) free catechin and (C) caffeine, the content of which is
(A) (A) + (B) = 500-6000 mg / L
(B) (A) / [(A) + (B)] = 0.7 to 1.0
(C) (A) / (C) = 6 to 27
Provide a beverage that is.

  The ester type catechin amount (A) set in the present invention means the total amount of EGCg, GCg, ECg, and Cg, and the free type catechin amount (B) means the sum of EGC, GC, EC, C, and (+) C. Means quantity. These ester-type catechin amount and free-type catechin amount are each measured and quantified by a method using high-performance liquid chromatography that is detected at an ultraviolet wavelength. Also, the amount of caffeine (C) can be simultaneously determined by the same measurement method as that for ester-type catechin and free-type catechin.

(Requirements (I))
In the beverage of the present invention, the amount of (A) ester-type catechin is preferably 350 mg / L or more, particularly preferably 500 mg / L or more. Further, it is preferably 6000 mg / L or less, more preferably 3000 mg / L or less, particularly preferably 2000 mg / L or less, and particularly preferably 1500 mg / L or less.

  In the beverage of the present invention, the total amount of (A) ester catechin and (B) free catechin may be 500 mg / L or more, and more preferably 700 mg / L or more. Further, it may be 6000 mg / L or less, preferably 3000 mg / L or less, and more preferably 2800 mg / L or less.

(Requirement (b))
The ratio of the amount of (A) ester catechin to the total amount of (A) ester catechin and (B) free catechin, ie, (A) / [(A) + (B)] is 0.7 or more. What is necessary is just to be 0.75 or more, More preferably, it is 0.8 or more. Moreover, what is necessary is just 1.0 or less.

  As described above, if (A) + (B) is 500 to 6000 mg / L and (A) / [(A) + (B)] is 0.7 to 1.0, biofunctionality is strong. Catechin can be easily ingested, and a beverage that suppresses excessive astringency can be obtained.

(Requirements (C))
Further, the ratio of the amount of (A) ester type catechin to the amount of (C) caffeine, that is, (A) / (C) may be 6 or more, preferably 7 or more. Further, it may be 27 or less, preferably 26.6 or less, more preferably 20 or less, and particularly preferably 15 or less. If (A) / (C) is 6 to 27, the bitterness / egg taste derived from caffeine is reduced, and further, the occurrence of orientation and creamdown is suppressed, and the appearance quality is also positive. be able to.

(Manufacture of beverages)
Regarding the production of the beverage of the present invention, the total amount (b) and mass ratio (b) of ester-type catechin and free catechin, and further the mass ratio (c) between ester-type catechin and caffeine are in water, ( A) ester-type catechin, (B) free-type catechin, and (C) caffeine may be dissolved and adjusted so as to have a predetermined concentration. Especially in the case of tea-based beverages, unfermented tea, semi-fermented tea, fermented tea Alternatively, it is more preferable to extract a blend of them with water or hot water, and then mix the tea extract to adjust the amount of ester-type catechin and free-type catechin, since the natural aroma of tea can be extracted.

Moreover, after extracting tea leaves of unfermented tea, semi-fermented tea or fermented tea with water or hot water at 40 to 100 ° C., and removing 50 to 100% by mass of ester-type catechin and free-type catechin from the obtained extract It is also preferable to produce the beverage of the present invention by adjusting the ratio of the amount of ester catechin and the amount of free catechin by adding a tea extract.
The production of the beverage will be described in detail below.

  As tea leaves used as raw materials, green teas such as sencha, bancha, gyokuro, pot-roasted tea and tencha are used as non-fermented teas, oolong teas such as iron kannon, golden katsura and narcissus as semi-fermented teas, darjeelin and uba as fermented teas Or a blend of two or more of these. The extraction of non-fermented tea, semi-fermented tea, fermented tea or tea blended with them is preferably water, hot water or hot water, especially hot water at 40 to 100 ° C, more preferably hot water at 60 to 100 ° C.

(Removal of ester-type catechins and free-type catechins in beverage production)
Next, from the tea extract obtained as described above, part or all of the ester-type catechin and free-type catechin are preferably removed once, preferably 50% to 100%, more preferably 70% to 100%. An intermediate obtained by removing some or all of catechin and free catechin may be obtained.
Ester-type catechins and free-type catechins can be removed by treating the tea extract with resin adsorption using synthetic adsorption resin, membrane separation using ultrafiltration membranes or reverse osmosis membranes, gel filtration chromatography, and solvent extraction methods. Can be used.
Among these, resin adsorption using PVPP, which is a synthetic adsorption resin, can selectively adsorb ester-type catechins and free-type catechins, and thus is suitable as a method for removing ester-type catechins and free-type catechins. Furthermore, removal of ester-type catechin and free-type catechin to which PVPP is added during extraction of tea leaves of unfermented tea, semi-fermented tea or fermented tea with water or hot water, which is an invention by the present applicant (Japanese Patent No. 3315304) The method is particularly suitable. At this time, the amount of PVPP, which is a synthetic adsorption resin, can be appropriately selected depending on the amount and concentration of the tea extract used in the treatment process.

(Adjustment of catechin amount in beverage production)
Next, as described above, the tea extract is added to the intermediate from which part or all of the ester-type catechin and free-type catechin have been removed, thereby adjusting the ratio of the amount of ester-type catechin and the amount of free-type catechin.
As used herein, the tea extract is a non-fermented tea, a semi-fermented tea, a tea leaf of fermented tea extracted with water or hot water or a water-soluble organic solvent, and further subjected to a predetermined purification and concentrated. And the ratio of the amount of ester catechin to the total amount of free catechin is preferably 0.7 or more, more preferably 0.8 or more, the amount of ester catechin to the total amount of ester catechin and free catechin Can produce a beverage of 0.7 to 1.0.

Furthermore, commercially available concentrates of tea extract can also be used. For example, Tea Franc 30E, Tea Franc 30A, Tea Franc W, Tea Franc 90S (all manufactured by ITO EN), Sun Flavon HG (Taiyo Chemical Co., Ltd.) )) Polyphenone 70A, Polyphenon E (Mitsui Norin Co., Ltd.), Teacalon 90S (Tokiban Plant Chemistry Laboratory), CTP-95 (Citimex Corporation), Green Select (Indina Corporation), Tea Fresh 80S (Nippon Chlorophyll) Co., Ltd.), TEAVIGO (DMS) and the like can be used.
In particular, in the case of theafuran 90S (the amount of ester catechin relative to the total amount of ester catechin and free catechin is 0.99, the ester relative to the total amount of ester catechin and free catechin contained in the beverage of the present invention) It is suitable for increasing the amount of type catechin.

  In addition, when adding the tea extract, or instead of adding the tea extract, one or more types of purified catechins, particularly ester type catechins EGCg, GCg, ECg, Cg are added to form an ester type. The ratio of the catechin amount and the free catechin amount can also be adjusted. It can also be diluted by adding water or hot water.

As described above, an intermediate obtained after extracting tea leaves of unfermented tea, semi-fermented tea or fermented tea with water or hot water and removing 50 to 100% of ester-type catechin and free-type catechin from the obtained extract By adding a tea extract of a predetermined composition to the body, the total amount (b) and mass ratio (b) of ester-type catechin and free catechin, and further the mass ratio of ester-type catechin and caffeine (c) ) And the amount of caffeine, especially the amount of ester-type catechin.
Furthermore, the beverage prepared in this way has a natural tea fragrance and can drink catechin with strong biofunction, particularly ester-type catechin, selectively and efficiently, and can suppress excessive astringency. It is.

(Other compounds)
The beverage of the present invention may be blended with additives such as antioxidants, emulsifiers, preservatives, pH adjusters, fragrances, seasonings, sweeteners, acidulants, quality stabilizers alone or in combination. . For example, vitamin C, vitamin E, cysteine and the like can be used as the antioxidant, and it is particularly preferable to contain 0.005 to 0.05% by mass of vitamin C. For example, glucose, fructose, isomerized liquid sugar, fructooligosaccharide, emulsified oligosaccharide, soybean oligosaccharide, cyclodextrin, aspartame, rakanka extract, etc. can be used as sweeteners. It is good to contain 5 mass%. By blending these additives alone or in combination, a more suitable beverage can be provided. Moreover, it can also dilute with water suitably and can also adjust a density | concentration so that catechin, caffeine, and various compounds may become a drinking concentration.

(Intermediates in beverage production and their use)
As described above, the intermediate in the beverage production of the present invention obtained after removing a part or all of the ester-type catechin and the free-type catechin from the tea extract is a taste component (theanine, originally possessed by the tea extract). Various amino acids, organic acids, etc.), aroma components (various esters, terpenes, alcohols, aldehydes, etc.), pigments (chlorophyll, carotenoids), saccharides (various monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, water-soluble high Sufficient molecules etc. are left. Therefore, the intermediate in the beverage production of the present invention can be used as a taste-imparting composition having the flavor and taste inherent in the tea extract and reducing the catechin-derived astringency.
The intermediate can be diluted with water or hot water as appropriate. Moreover, it can also be solidified by concentration or removal of the solvent completely. The intermediate that has been diluted, concentrated or solid can be suitably used as an intermediate in the production of the beverage of the present invention, since the concentration of each component including a taste component can be adjusted. It can utilize suitably also as a taste imparting composition.

  Examples of the present invention are shown below, but the scope of the claims is not limited to the examples.

(Measurement of ester type catechin, free type catechin and caffeine)
Using a Waters high performance liquid chromatography apparatus equipped with a 4.6 mm inner diameter, 250 mm long column (J'sphere ODS-H80, YMC Co., Ltd.) at a column temperature of 40 ° C., mobile phase A liquid: 5% Separated by gradient elution (flow rate 1.0 ml / min) with acetonitrile (containing 0.1% phosphoric acid) and mobile phase B liquid: 50% acetonitrile (containing 0.1% phosphoric acid) Quantification was performed using a calibration curve. A sample sampled from a beverage immediately after heat sterilization was applied to a 0.45 μm filter, and 10 μL of the filtrate was injected into a high performance liquid chromatograph. The detection wavelength was set to UV 230 nm.

(Panel test)
4 panelists were used for comprehensive evaluation of beverage taste. A part of the beverage was included in the mouth, and the degree of bitterness / egg taste was described by the visual analog scale method (the higher the value, the stronger the degree). Moreover, it performed similarly about the appropriateness | suitableness as a tea-type drink (it is suitable as a tea-type drink if appropriateness> 5) from the balance of generation | occurrence | production of an orientation and cream down, and taste.

(Evaluation of occurrence of cream and cream down)
The occurrence of orientation and cream down was visually evaluated.

Example 1
Add 1.5 g of Japanese green tea leaves to 60 mL of hot water (70 ° C.), extract with stirring for 5 minutes to obtain a green tea extract, add 1 g of synthetic adsorption resin (PVPP), stir for 10 minutes, and filter by filtration. The tea leaves, ester-type catechins and free-type catechins adsorbed together with the synthetic adsorption resin were removed. To this extract, add 0.5 g of cyclic oligosaccharide (manufactured by Nippon Food Processing Co., Ltd.), 0.345 g of tea extract (tea furan 90S: manufactured by ITO EN, see Table 1 for composition) and vitamin C appropriate amount, After adjusting the pH with sodium bicarbonate, pure water was added to make a total volume of 250 ml. This liquid was subjected to microfiltration and further heat sterilization (135 ° C., 30 seconds) to prepare beverage 1. Further, this beverage 1 was filled in a paper container 250 mL. The paper container beverage was stored at room temperature for one year. Immediately before evaluating the beverage, the container was opened and transferred to a transparent bottle container.

(Example 2)
Beverage 2 was prepared in the same manner as Example 1 except that 2.5 g of cyclic oligosaccharide (manufactured by Nippon Food Processing Co., Ltd.) was added. This beverage 2 was filled into a 250 ml paper container.

(Example 3)
Beverage 3 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 1.035 g of tea extract (Theafranc 90S: manufactured by ITO EN Co., Ltd.) was added. This beverage 3 was filled into a 250 ml paper container.

  In Table 2, (A) ester type catechin concentration (mg / L), (B) free type catechin concentration (mg / L), (C) caffeine concentration (mg / L) regarding beverages of Examples 1 to 3. The panel test result and visual evaluation result of each drink after long-term storage are shown. Beverages 1 to 3 were all beverages that did not show bitterness / egg taste and were suitable as tea-based beverages. Moreover, the occurrence of orientation and cream-down due to long-term storage was not observed visually.

(Comparative Example 1)
10 g of green tea leaves (deep steamed tea, produced in China) was added to 1 L of warm water at 60 ° C., and the mixture was extracted by stirring for 10 minutes. After extraction, the tea leaves were removed, the tea extract was cooled to 25 ° C. or lower, and the whole amount was filtered with a nylon filter cloth. Thereafter, it was filled in a 190 g can container and sterilized by heating (120 ° C., 10 minutes) to prepare a beverage (Comparative-1). The canned beverage was stored at room temperature for one year. Immediately before evaluating the beverage, the container was opened and transferred to a transparent bottle container.

(Comparative Example 2)
A beverage (Comparative-2) was prepared in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that 10 g of green tea leaves (deep steamed tea, made in China) was added instead of 10 g of green tea leaves (covered tea, made in China). .

(Comparative Example 3)
A beverage (Comparative-3) was prepared in the same manner as Comparative Example 1 except that 40 g of green tea leaf (sencha, produced in Japan) was added instead of 10 g of green tea leaf (deep steamed tea, produced in China).

(Comparative Example 4)
Transfer the contents of Beverage 3 stored at room temperature for one year to a transparent bottle container, and add commercially available caffeine (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) so that the caffeine concentration is 2000 mg / L. -4) was prepared. After leaving overnight in a refrigerator and returning to room temperature the next day, panel test results and visual evaluation were performed.

In Table 2, (A) ester type catechin concentration (mg / L), (B) free type catechin concentration (mg / L), (C) caffeine concentration (mg / L) regarding beverages of Comparative Examples 1 to 4. The panel test result and visual evaluation result of each beverage are shown. In Comparative-1 to Comparative-4, bitterness and taste were greatly recognized and were unsuitable for tea beverages. In addition, due to the effects of long-term storage and a high caffeine ratio, the occurrence of orientation and cream-down was noticeable visually.
In addition, in the comparative example 4, after a predetermined amount of caffeine is added to the beverage 3 after long-term storage to prepare a beverage (comparative-4), the cream-down is easily generated when cooled. A panel test and visual evaluation were performed after returning a drink (comparative-4) to room temperature.

Claims (2)

(A) ester type catechin, (B) free catechin and (C) a beverage containing caffeine, the content thereof,
(A) (A) + (B) = 500-6000 mg / L
(B) (A) / [(A) + (B)] = 0.8 to 1.0
(C) (A) / (C) = 6 to 27
Is a tea-based beverage. (A) ester type catechin, (B) free catechin and (C) a beverage containing caffeine, the content thereof,
(A) (A) + (B) = 500-6000 mg / L
(B) (A) / [(A) + (B)] = 0.7 to 1.0
(C) (A) / (C) = 7 to 27
Is a tea-based beverage.