Study on Production of Functional Ready-to-drink Tea from Borassus flabellifer L. Male Flowers Mixed with Herbs

Abstract

Background and Objectives : Borassus flabellifer L. male flowers are a local herb in Phetchaburi province. This plant has health benefits and is commonly consumed as hot tea. However, preparation time is long and not ideal. This particular ready-to-drink tea is a widely popular product since it is convenient to consume and gives a refreshing feeling. The objectives of this research are the followings : 1. To study the product development of ready-to-drink tea from Borassus flabellifer L. male flowers that use stevia extract as sweetener 2. To study physical properties, chemical compositions, microbiological properties and nutritional value of ready-to-drink tea from Borassus flabellifer L. male flowers with herbs.

Methodology : Study on suitable sweetness of stevia extract of ready-to-drink tea at 5 sweetness levels; 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04 percent  (w/v), respectively. Only one level of sweetness that consumers accepted the most was then selected. Subsequently, this level was developed into ready-to-drink tea from Borassus flabellifer L. male flowers with herbs. There were three herbs that were used which were chrysanthemum, pandanus and butterfly pea. The ratio of Borassus flabellifer L. male flowers to herbs was studied at 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30 (w/w), respectively. The quantity and type of herbs that were most accepted by consumers was selected, this condition was studied on the consumer acceptance, physical qualities, chemical compositions, microbial quality and nutritional value with product labels.

Main Results : It was established that the level of sweetness was obtained at 0.03 percent (w/v). Subsequently, stevia extract addition was used to produce ready-to-drink tea from Borassus flabellifer L. male flowers with three levels of herbs. Sensory quality test showed that, the consumers mostly accepted the pandan supplement formula at the ratio of 90:10 (w/w). Ready-to-drink tea from Borassus flabellifer L. male flowers with pandan has good physical, chemical, and microbiological qualities. This is in accordance with the standards as set by The Ministry of Public Health (No. 356) 2013 that was issued in accordance with the Food Act B.E. 2522 regarding beverages in sealed containers. After nutritional test, the results exhibited that ready-to-drink tea from Borassus flabellifer L. male flowers with pandan is a significantly non-calories drink; suitable for health conscious consumers. The study found that 97 percent of consumers accepted this product and that they would buy the product when released (equivalent to 71 percent of consumers). Moreover, they thought that the reasonable price of the ready-to-drink tea should be 25 baht/500 ml, representing 60 percent.

Conclusions : Ready-to-drink tea from Borassus flabellifer L. male flowers with a sweetness level of 0.03 percent (w/v) stevia extract and pandan leaves at a ratio of 90:10 (w/w) has the highest acceptance from consumers. It was a non-calorie product, rich in antioxidants, suitable for health conscious and is a product that is convenient to consume.