A Study of the Physical and Sensory Characteristics of Ginseng Soybean Curd Prepared with Various Coagulants

An investigation was carried out to elucidate the effects of type of ginseng, concentration of ginseng, and type of coagulants on the physical and sensory properties of soybean curd. The textural properties of soybean curd were not influenced by the type of ginseng. Soybean curd coagulated with glucono-delta-lactone (GDL) showed a greater hardness than that coagulated with other coagulants, whereas the former produced a lesser springiness than the latter. The L-value was proportionally reduced by the increase of ginseng level and soybean curd coagulated with showed the lowest L value. All the curd products prepared with ginseng had a pale yellow color. In the sensory properties, springiness and beany taste of soybean curd linearly decreased as the concentration of ginseng was increased. The concentration of ginseng to improve the acceptability of ginseng soybean curd as determined by the physical and sensory evaluation, was less than 0.25%. The most acceptable ginseng soybean curd was the one coagulated with . Soybean curd prepared with GDL had the lowest acceptability because of its sour taste and textural properties.