Dry colorants concentrate manufacture

Instant tea is manufactured in the United States, Japan, Kenya, Chile, Sri Lanka, India, and China. Production and consumption in the United States is greater than in the rest of the world. World production capacity of instant teas depends on market demand but is in the range of 8,000 to 11,000 t/yr (3). The basic process for manufacture of instant tea as a soluble powder from dry tea leaf includes extraction, concentration, and drying. In practice, the process is considerably more compHcated because of the need to preserve the volatile aroma fraction, and produce a product which provides color yet is soluble in cold water, all of which are attributes important to iced tea products (88). 

The color is often added as a powder during the syrup manufacturing process either by itself or in a mixture with other dry ingredients. The color can also be mixed with the Hquid flavor concentrate. All colors must be tested and released by the FDA. 

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