PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for producing a tea leaf extract with an enzymatic hydrolysis extraction treatment for extracting a high-concentration soluble solid content from tea leaves, and to provide a method for producing a tea drink using the tea leaf extract. SOLUTION: The method for producing the tea leaf extract is characterized by mixing an enzyme group composed of one or more from the group consisting of cellulase and hemicellulase, peptinase, and tannase with tea leaves to subject the tea leaves to an enzymatic hydrolysis extraction treatment. The method for producing the tea leaf extract, wherein the enzyme group further contains amylase or protease. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT