Green tea is an emerging ingredient in healthy foods and beverages. The health benefits of green tea continue to accumulate, with novel effects being uncovered on an almost weekly basis. While health conscious consumers have looked to dietary supplements for their daily dose of tea, we are beginning to see a growing demand for the goodness of green tea as well as an appreciation for its distinct flavor in daily foods. Green tea ice cream and soy milk, antioxidant rich cereals, yogurts, bars and beverages are just a few of the recent product launches featuring green tea.

When formulating such foods and beverages, it is important to realize that not all green tea is the same. In fact, often times the extract or infusion of green tea is not even used. Rather, the finely milled leaf of green tea known as Matcha Powder has been the traditional source for such products due to its natural robust flavor and vibrant green color.

Matcha from Taiyo is produced with a proprietary manufacturing process that mills the highest grade green tea leaves at extremely low temperatures to capture Matcha's natural green color and savory taste that consumers desire. Furthermore, this unique process prevents the loss of naturally occurring antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber and amino acids. Matcha is perfect for a wide range of applications, including ice creams, yogurts, dairy beverages, confections and foods.

A pioneer of green tea ingredients, Taiyo is the leader in green tea science, research and processing technology and is the world's largest manufacturer of green tea catechins. In addition to Matcha Powder, Taiyo offers a full range of novel green tea ingredients, including the award winning Suntheanine® and Sunphenon®.

Suntheanine®, Taiyo's patented isomerically pure L-theanine relieves stress and induces relaxation without incurring any drowsiness. Suntheanine® was awarded the "Food Ingredient Research Award" at the 1998 Food Ingredients Europe and "Best New Product of 2000" at Nutracon. Sunphenon® is extracted from the leaf of green tea and contains highly purified polyphenols rich in natural green tea catechins. These polyphenols have been shown to have numerous biochemical and physiological benefits, including antioxidant, anti-microbial, antiviral and deodorant activities. Sunphenon® was the recipient of the 2000 IFT Industrial Achievement Award.

Taiyo is a leading manufacturer of functional ingredients for the food, beverage and dietary supplement industries. It specializes in developing innovative ingredients derived from natural sources to develop the body's ability to protect and improve one's health.

Taiyo International, Inc. • 5960 Golden Hills Drive • Minneapolis, MN 55416 • Ph: 763/398-3003

Fax: 763/398-3007 • E-mail: sales@taiyoint.com

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• Taiyo International, Inc.