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FORMULATION AND SENSORY EVALUATION OF HERB TEA FROM MORINGA OLEIFERA, HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA AND CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS

ABSTRACT

This research is on Formulation and sensory evaluation of herb tea from moringa oleifera, hibiscus sabdariffa and cymbopogon citratus. The sensory appeal of tea, like all food products, is an important consideration in new product development. Tea in general and herb tea in particular, are gaining increasing consumer attention due to a growing awareness of health benefits derived from their consumption. Even though several underutilized plants exist with potential for processing into herb tea, research in product development of herb teas is limited.  The objectives of the study were (1) to conduct chemical analyses on three herbs – Cymbopogon citratus leaves, Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces and Moringa oleifera leaves – in order to assess their potential for food product development; (2) to conduct acceptance tests on herb tea prepared from formulations of the herbs; and (3) to generate descriptive vocabulary on the sensory properties of herb tea. The herbs were unblanched and solar-dried. Standard methods were used to measure proximate parameters, water soluble extractives (WSE), light petroleum extractives (LPE), pH, total polyphenolics content (TPC) and minerals (Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn). Fifty (50) untrained panelists conducted acceptance tests on infusions from nine formulations and one control, and a nine-member trained panel conducted descriptive tests on infusions from three selected blends. Results of chemical analysis revealed that Moringa, Roselle and Lemon grass had, respectively, TPC of 35.70 mg/g, 27.81 mg/g and 15.37 mg/g; WSE of 7.44%, 12.38% and 4.07%; LPE of 3.48%, 2.71% and 4.1%; pH of 5.47, 2.73 and 4.53.

Mineral analyses revealed that Moringa, Roselle and Lemon grass had, respectively, Ca of 412.5 mg/100g, 294 mg/100g and Fe of 12.93 mg/100g; 24.26 mg/100g and 11.58 mg/100g. A total of seventeen (17) descriptors were generated, defined and referenced for herb tea comprising six (6) appearance, three (3) aroma, one (1) flavour, five (5) taste and two (2) mouthfeel descriptors. Herb tea brewed from product 532 (50% Moringa, 30% Roselle and 20% Lemon grass) was the most preferred in colour, flavour, astringency and overall sensory properties while the control (100% Moringa) brewed the least preferred herb tea in most of the sensory attributes. Product 532 was predominantly reddish in colour (12.56) while the control was yellowish (11.93). Product 532 had high mean scores for Turbidity (12.67), Herbal aroma (11.41), Citrus aroma (11.30), Sour taste (12.15) and Astringency (11.41) while the control had significantly low scores for most of these attributes (≤ 2.33). Herb tea from blend of Moringa, Roselle and Lemon grass was more appealing than herb tea from only Moringa.

Original price was: ₦3,000.00.Current price is: ₦2,500.00.

Description

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This research is on Formulation and sensory evaluation of herb tea from moringa oleifera, hibiscus sabdariffa and cymbopogon citratus. The drinking of tea begun in China centuries ago, and has over the years become an inseparable part of most cultures worldwide. Tea is currently the most widely consumed beverage in the world (Schmidt et al., 2005) and therefore ranks as an important world food product. About one tenth of the world production volume of tea is supplied by Kenya which is Africa’s largest producer of tea (International Tea Committee, 1998).

Tea is generally consumed for its attractive aroma and taste as well as the unique place it holds in the culture of many societies. In recent times, there is renewed interest in tea because of growing consumer awareness of health benefits derived from tea consumption (McKay and Blumberg, 2002). Tea therefore belongs to a rapidly expanding market of ‘wellness beverages’ (Byun and Han, 2004).

By definition, tea is an infusion of the leaves or other parts of the evergreen tea plant (Camellia sp). Teas have been traditionally categorized into green, oolong and black teas according to the processing conditions employed during manufacturing (Kirk and Sawyer (1997). In recent times, however, a fourth category, called herb teas, is gaining increasing popularity among consumers. Unlike traditional teas, herb teas are prepared from plants other than Camellia (Bender, 2003)

Tea preparation follows a simple procedure. Hot water (70 °C to 100 °C) is poured over the plant part(s) in a container and allowed to steep for a few minutes (usually 1 – 5 min) after which the plant material, usually contained in a bag, is removed from the container. The temperature of the water used and the duration of steeping affect the ‘strength’ of the tea. Tea is drunk hot, warm or iced. In some cases milk and/or a sweetener such as honey or sucrose may be added before drinking (Hakim et al., 2000).

According to Abbey and Timpo (1990), indigenous herbs are in general heavily underexploited in spite of their huge dietary potential. It is therefore imperative to explore the potential of indigenous plant materials in the development of new herb teas. Three examples of indigenous plants discussed in this thesis are Moringa oleifera (Moringa), Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) and Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon grass).

Moringa is an easily propagated plant which thrives well in harsh environmental conditions. It is increasingly gaining global attention due to an excellent profile of nutrients and antioxidants. Moringa leaf is rich in minerals, amino acids, vitamins and -carotene. It also contains a rare combination of health-promoting antioxidants: zeatin, quercetin, sitosterol, caffeoylquinic acid and kaempferol (Anwar et al., 2007). Currently, there is growing interest in the use of Moringa leaf as an ingredient in the preparation of herb tea. According to unpublished reports, however, herb tea made solely from Moringa is poor in sensory appeal (Source: personal communication). This may probably be due to the absence of distinctive flavour properties. It may therefore be necessary to combine Moringa with other herbs in developing herb teas as a way of improving its sensory appeal. This is crucial because consumers are generally unwilling to buy food with poor sensory appeal, irrespective of health or nutritional benefits (de Cock et al., 2005).

Roselle is an aromatic, astringent herb with multiple food uses including the preparation of beverages. Roselle is known to impart a characteristic reddish colour and sour taste which many consider appealing in beverages (Blench, 1997).

Lemon grass has been a preferred component of many cuisines for centuries because of its excellent aromatic properties. Infusion of lemon grass leaf gives an aromatic drink with a characteristic lemon flavour (Figueirinha et al., 2008).

 1.1 MAIN OBJECTIVE

The main objective of the study is to explore alternative uses for Moringa oleifera, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Cymbopogon citratus by blending the three herbs to produce a herb tea with acceptable sensory properties.

1.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

The specific objectives of the study are:  

  • To determine chemical composition of dried Moringa oleifera leaves, Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces and Cymbopogon citratus leaves;
  • To perform acceptance tests on infusions prepared from blends of the three herbs; and
  • To generate descriptive vocabulary that would characterize the sensory properties of herb tea.

 1.3 RESEARCH JUSTIFICATION 

Developing new herb tea products from indigenous plants will provide novel uses for underutilized plants. It will further provide consumers with new alternatives to traditional teas. Moreover the research will bring to light the potential of the underutilized plants for food product development. The research will broaden understanding of the sensory characteristics and preferences of herb teas in particular and beverages in general. It will further advance research in herb tea product development.

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