This invention relates to a tea extract, which is reduced in bitterness, sourness and coarse taste, has a good affinity with various beverages, and contains non-polymer catechins that are highly stable in a sterilized beverage to which the tea extract is added. A purified tea extract, including: (1) non-polymer catechins (a) in a solid content accounting for from 45 to 90 wt. %; (2) a percentage of gallate body in the non-polymer catechins being from 0.001 to 47 wt. %; and (3) a weight ratio of a gallic acid/the non-polymer catechins being not greater than 0.3.