A method of manufacturing a mulberry leaf powder

摘要

A method of manufacturing a mulberry leaf powder which comprises harvesting mulberry leaves, selecting the harvested mulberry leaves to remove foreign matter, washing the leaves to remove dirt, soaking the washed mulberry leaves in water, steam blanching the leaves followed by drying the leaves and pulverizing the dried mulberry leaves to provide a powder. The water used for soaking the leaves may contain 0.01 - 1.0% of a 1:1 mixture of sodium carbonate and salt. The steam blanching may be carried out for about 5 minutes at a temperature of 95 - 120{C. The mulberry leaves are preferably dried to a water content of less than 5% at a temperature of about 80{C. The steam blanching ensures that the effective components (ascorbic acid, rutin and isoquercitrin) and green colour of the leaves are retained so that it is possible to use the mulberry leaf powder as a health food or drink.