Physicochemical, Mineral and Sensory Characteristics of Cashew Nut Milk

Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of cashew nut milk were investigated. Cashew nut milk was produced and added with sugar and vanilla flavour at different proportions. The proximate and mineral composition of the plain cashew nut milk was analysed, as well as the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the cashew nut milk containing sugar and vanilla flavour were analysed. The results revealed a reasonable amount of protein (5.00%), fat (5.49%), ash (0.90%) and carbohydrate (5.95%) in the plain cashew nut milk with high moisture content of 82.66%. Physicochemical analysis showed that the cashew kernel milk with only sugar content had higher sugar value of 14% and specific gravity of 1.06g/cm3 but low in pH (5.60) than other samples. Viscosity was higher for the plain milk (2.80Cp) with low acidity (0.04%) than other samples. The plain cashew nut milk sample contained appreciable quantities of calcium (4.75mg/100g), potassium (7.15mg/100g), iron (3.00mg/100g), magnesium (2.00mg/100g) and phosphorus (2.00mg/100g). The sensory analysis showed that the cashew kernel milk with only sugar incorporation was most acceptable for all sensory parameters and this is in correspondence to the total sugar content as this sample had more sugar as compared to others. The addition of sugar and vanilla flavour significantly (p<0.05) affected the pH, titratable acidity and sensory properties of cashew kernel milk. The incorporation of sweeteners in cashew kernel milk should be encouraged and the milk utilized by health conscious individuals so as to stabilize the cost of dairy milk.