Disclosed is a microcapsule containing: (i) a microcapsule core having an active material, and (ii) a microcapsule wall formed of a first polymer and second polymer. The first polymer is a sol-gel polymer. The second polymer is gum arabic, purity gum ultra, gelatin, chitosan, xanthan gum, plant gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl guar gum, or a combination thereof. The weight ratio between the first and second polymer is 1:10 to 10:1. Also disclosed are processes for preparing the microcapsule and uses of the microcapsules in consumer products.

A beverage preparation apparatus includes a liquid storage tank, a liquid supply path having one end serving as an introduction port and the other end serving as a supply port, a heating device for heating a liquid in the liquid supply path, a tank to which the liquid heated by the heating device is supplied through the supply port, an air passage path including an air inlet and an air outlet and sending air into the tank, and a fan arranged in the air passage path. The air passage path is provided to include a portion extending from a lower side toward an upper side along a peripheral surface of the liquid storage tank.

A beverage preparation apparatus includes a liquid storage tank, a liquid supply path having one end serving as an introduction port and the other end serving as a supply port, a heating device for heating a liquid in the liquid supply path, a tank to which the liquid heated by the heating device is supplied through the supply port, an air passage path including an air inlet and an air outlet and sending air into the tank, and a fan arranged in the air passage path. The air passage path is provided to include a portion extending from a lower side toward an upper side along a peripheral surface of the liquid storage tank.

A grating apparatus grates an object to be grated, and includes an upper mill including an upper mill grinding surface and an opening portion in a center of the upper mill grinding surface, a lower mill located below the upper mill and including a lower mill grinding surface abutting on the upper mill grinding surface, and a core at least partially located in the opening portion. The core includes a plate-shaped portion which rotates, and an engagement portion engaged with an object to be grated is provided in a peripheral end surface of the plate-shaped portion.

A grating apparatus grates an object to be grated, and includes an upper mill including an upper mill grinding surface and an opening portion in a center of the upper mill grinding surface, a lower mill located below the upper mill and including a lower mill grinding surface abutting on the upper mill grinding surface, and a core at least partially located in the opening portion. The core includes a plate-shaped portion which rotates, and an engagement portion engaged with an object to be grated is provided in a peripheral end surface of the plate-shaped portion.

The embodiments disclosed herein include forward osmosis hydration and dewatering devices. The forwards osmosis devices disclosed herein include one or more forward osmosis membranes and one or more barriers. The barriers are configured to protect the forward osmosis membranes from damage, such as damage caused by contact between at least one osmotic agent or another ingredients of the forward osmosis device.

The embodiments disclosed herein include forward osmosis hydration and dewatering devices. The forwards osmosis devices disclosed herein include one or more forward osmosis membranes and one or more barriers. The barriers are configured to protect the forward osmosis membranes from damage, such as damage caused by contact between at least one osmotic agent or another ingredients of the forward osmosis device.

One embodiment of a device used for Coffee Cupping in which coffee grounds, tea or other sediment to be extracted are mixed with a liquid in a vessel with a narrow section 24 between an upper chamber 20 and a lower chamber 26. After the sediment has settled in the lower chamber, a stopper 28 (attached to a rod 30, and a handle 32) is inserted into the narrow section 24 thereby sealing off the lower chamber 26 and allowing the now sediment-free liquid in the upper chamber 20 to be poured out using the pouring spout 22, into another vessel for tasting. Alternative embodiments are described and shown.

One embodiment of a device used for Coffee Cupping in which coffee grounds, tea or other sediment to be extracted are mixed with a liquid in a vessel with a narrow section 24 between an upper chamber 20 and a lower chamber 26. After the sediment has settled in the lower chamber, a stopper 28 (attached to a rod 30, and a handle 32) is inserted into the narrow section 24 thereby sealing off the lower chamber 26 and allowing the now sediment-free liquid in the upper chamber 20 to be poured out using the pouring spout 22, into another vessel for tasting. Alternative embodiments are described and shown.

The present invention relates to a tea product and more particularly the present invention relates to a black tea product. According to the present invention there is provided a process for producing a tea product comprises the steps of: a) extracting a leaf tea product comprising both a soluble part and an insoluble part with a solvent; b) separating the insoluble part from the soluble part; c) compacting the insoluble part to obtain a base tea material; d) drying the base tea material to a moisture content of less than 5% by weight. e) contacting the soluble part obtained in step (b) with the dried base tea material; f) further drying the mixture to obtain the tea product.