2006 Volume 39 Issue 2 Pages 122-131
Sensory tests and textural measurements were made of komatsuna grown in normal soil, soil enriched with chemical fertilizers and soil enriched with organic fertilizers. Uncooked komatsuna grown in normal soil achieved the highest overall score, while komatsuna grown in soil enriched with chemical fertilizers and soil enriched with organic fertilizers achieved lower scores because of the grassy smell and harsh taste. Significantly more energy was required for chewing komatsuna grown in soil enriched with chemical fertilizers (p<0.05), suggesting high consistency. Uncooked komatsuna grown in normal soil was most favored. No difference was apparent among the komatsuna samples grown in different soil types after cooking by hitashi (parboiling and pressing). Ni-bitashi (boiled and seasoned) komatsuna grown in soil enriched with organic fertilizers was significantly favored (p<0.05)in its overall evaluation. Stir-fried komatsuna grown in soil enriched with chemical fertilizers was slightly more favored than the samples grown in the other two types of soil according to the overall evaluation and results of tests on tastiness and texture.
