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.
