A compound represented by the following formula (1):

##STR00001## wherein, R.sub.1 is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a hydroxyl group; and R.sub.2 is a 1-pyrrolyl group, a 2-pyrrolyl group, or a 3-pyrrolyl group. The present invention can provide a means highly effective in contributing to savory roasting flavor and capable of imparting fragrance with natural feeling.

A brewed beverage product is provided that, in some embodiments, may comprise an oxygen permeable container containing a frozen deoxygenated brewed beverage, the frozen deoxygenated brewed beverage including a coffee or tea based beverage or concentrate having been its dissolved oxygen content reduced to less than 2.0 parts per million (ppm) in order to reduce oxidation of coffee or tea-based flavor compounds in the degassed coffee or tea based beverage or concentrate. The frozen deoxygenated brewed beverage may further have an exterior surface formed from a frozen deoxygenated liquid so as to be substantially void-free in order to limit the ingress of oxygen into the frozen deoxygenated brewed beverage.

Systems for and methods of controlled liquid food or beverage product creation are provided. A method of producing a liquid product from a receptacle containing frozen liquid contents includes receiving the receptacle containing a frozen liquid contents in a dispenser, identifying a characteristic of the receptacle, the contents, and/or a desired product, melting at least a portion of the contents to generate the product by selectively heating the receptacle and/or the contents without adding liquid to the interior of the receptacle and/or supplying a liquid to the interior of the receptacle, wherein the selectively heating without adding liquid to the interior of the receptacle and/or supplying the liquid is based on the identified characteristic. The method also includes perforating the receptacle and dispensing the product from the receptacle.

Catechin compound(s)-containing beverages having reduced bitterness and astringency of catechin compound(s) while maintaining tea-like preferable flavors, methods of production thereof, and the like are provided. The content of catechin compound(s) in a beverage is adjusted to within a certain range, the total content of RebM and RebD in the beverage is adjusted to within a certain range, and the weight ratio of the total content of RebD and RebM to the content of the catechin compound(s) is adjusted to within a certain range.

Catechin compound(s)-containing beverages having reduced bitterness and astringency of catechin compound(s) while maintaining tea-like preferable flavors, methods of production thereof, and the like are provided. The content of catechin compound(s) in a beverage is adjusted to within a certain range, the total content of RebM and RebD in the beverage is adjusted to within a certain range, and the weight ratio of the total content of RebD and RebM to the content of the catechin compound(s) is adjusted to within a certain range.

Tea polymerized polyphenol-containing beverages having reduced bitterness and astringency of tea polymerized polyphenols while maintaining tea-like preferable flavors, methods of production thereof, and the like are provided. The content of tea polymerized polyphenols in a beverage is adjusted to within a certain range, the total content of RebM and RebD in the beverage is adjusted to within a certain range, and the weight ratio of the total content of RebD and RebM to the content of the tea polymerized polyphenols is adjusted to within a certain range.

Tea polymerized polyphenol-containing beverages having reduced bitterness and astringency of tea polymerized polyphenols while maintaining tea-like preferable flavors, methods of production thereof, and the like are provided. The content of tea polymerized polyphenols in a beverage is adjusted to within a certain range, the total content of RebM and RebD in the beverage is adjusted to within a certain range, and the weight ratio of the total content of RebD and RebM to the content of the tea polymerized polyphenols is adjusted to within a certain range.

The present invention relates to isolated bioactive compositions containing bioactive fractions derived from Theacea plants. The present invention also relates to bioactive topical formulations containing the bioactive compositions. The present invention further relates to methods of using the bioactive compositions of the present invention, including, for example, methods for inhibiting inflammatory activity in skin tissue of a mammal, for protecting skin tissue of a mammal from ultraviolet light-induced damage, and for normalizing skin disorders in skin tissue of a mammal. The present invention also relates to methods for isolating bioactive fractions derived from cell juice or a cell walls component a Theacea plant. The bioactive compositions are suitable for use in, inter alia, beverages, functional foods, nutriceuticals, supplements, and the like.

The present invention relates to isolated bioactive compositions containing bioactive fractions derived from Theacea plants. The present invention also relates to bioactive topical formulations containing the bioactive compositions. The present invention further relates to methods of using the bioactive compositions of the present invention, including, for example, methods for inhibiting inflammatory activity in skin tissue of a mammal, for protecting skin tissue of a mammal from ultraviolet light-induced damage, and for normalizing skin disorders in skin tissue of a mammal. The present invention also relates to methods for isolating bioactive fractions derived from cell juice or a cell walls component a Theacea plant. The bioactive compositions are suitable for use in, inter alia, beverages, functional foods, nutriceuticals, supplements, and the like.

Disclosed herein are techniques and methods for dispersing a volume of gas in a beverage contained in an unpressurized container.