This invention relates to a tea extract, which is reduced in bitterness, sourness and coarse taste, has a good affinity with various beverages, and contains non-polymer catechins that are highly stable in a sterilized beverage to which the tea extract is added. A purified tea extract, including: (1) non-polymer catechins (a) in a solid content accounting for from 45 to 90 wt.% (2) a percentage of gallate body in the non-polymer catechins being from 0.001 to 47 wt.% and (3) a weight ratio of a gallic acid/the non-polymer catechins being not greater than 0.3.本發明係關於一種茶萃取物,其中苦味、酸味及雜味被減低,與各種飲料等之調配性優良,將添加有該茶萃取物之飲料等進行殺菌處理時之非聚合物兒茶素類之穩定性較高。一種精製茶萃取物,其中(1)固形分中之非聚合物兒茶素類(a)為45~90重量%,(2)非聚合物兒茶素類中之沒食子酸酯體比率為0.001~47重量%,(3)沒食子酸量/非聚合物兒茶素(重量比)為0.3以下。
