Liquid Black Tea Extract Production
Liquid black tea extract is crafted through a multi-stage process designed to preserve the tea’s bioactive compounds. First, high-quality black tea leaves (fully oxidized Camellia sinensis leaves) are cleaned and ground into coarse particles. These particles undergo hot water extraction, where they’re steeped in water heated to 70–90°C for several hours.
This dissolves key components like polyphenols, theaflavins, and caffeine into the liquid. The mixture is then filtered to remove insoluble solids, yielding a concentrated tea liquor. The liquid is concentrated under vacuum evaporation to remove excess water, resulting in a viscous, dark-brown extract.
Powder Black Tea Extract Production
Powdered black tea extract starts with the same initial steps as the liquid version: oxidation, grinding, and extraction of black tea leaves. However, after the concentrated liquid extract is obtained, it undergoes spray drying or freeze drying to convert it into a stable powder. In spray drying, the liquid is atomized into fine droplets and rapidly dried with hot air (160–200°C), forming a fine, free-flowing powder.