A TEA EXTRACT AND A METHOD OF MAKING THE TEA EXTRACT ARE PROVIDED WHICH TEA EXTRACT CONTAINS HIGH CONCENTRATION OF FLAVOR/MELLOW TASTE COMPONENTS WITH REDUCED AMOUNTS OF BITTER/ASTRINGENT COMPONENTS. ALSO A BOTTLED TEA BEVERAGE IS PROVIDED WHICH BEVERAGE EXHIBITS PROFOUND FLAVOR WITH REDUCED ASTRINGENT TASTE. ENZYME EXTRACTION OF TEA LEAVES AFTER CATECHINS ARE REMOVED FROM THE TEA LEAVES ENABLES A TEA EXTRACT TO CONTAIN HIGH CONCENTRATION OF FLAVOR/MELLOW TASTE COMPONENTS WITH REDUCED AMOUNTS OF BITTER/ASTRINGENT COMPONENTS.