Layn Natural Ingredients, a supplier of botanical extract ingredients, has announced an expansion of its tea extract portfolio, in response to growing consumer demand for clean-label, functional ingredients. The extracts contain antioxidants and other active ingredients, including polyphenols, catechises, EGCG, flavonoids, L-theanine and caffeine.
The portfolio is designed for applications in health and wellness, as well as flavour and product preservation. The ingredients span a full range of tea extracts from Camellia sinensis, including green, black, white, oolong, and pu’erh. They are also Non-GMO Project verified and USDA Organic certified, and include no maltodextrin or other carrier ingredients, making them suitable for clean-label products.
In the Americas, Layn offers an L-theanine extract with up to 98% purity, while in the European market, the company has introduced its EFSA-compliant, up to 40% L-theanine green tea extracts, which are supported by C14 analysis to confirm Camellia sinensis origin.
“Consumers are well familiar with the health benefits of tea,” said Collette Kakuk, VP of Global Marketing at Layn Natural Ingredients. “Next to water, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. Expansion of our tea extracts portfolio to include a mainstay variety such as green tea extract and also lesser known, potent varieties such as pu’erh tea, brings to market a breadth of tea extract ingredients brands can leverage to meet today’s consumer demand for clean label, recognizable, functional ingredients that address key consumer concerns – from immune support, natural energy and cardiovascular health, to brain health, mood support, and weight management. We have focused our innovation on developing and delivering the world’s leading portfolio of high-quality, natural tea extracts to meet these demands.”
In June 2021, the company announced a $148m investment plan "to expand infrastructure, drive innovation and ensure a globally secure supply chain".