FLAVOR ENHANCEMENT OF POTATO PRODUCTS

SUMMARY— The effect of selected compounds on flavor of various potato products was studied by sensory panels. The minimum detectable amount of each of six compounds in four brands of dehydrated mashed potatoes was determined. The difference thresholds of the six compounds in the reconstituted potato products varied from 0.05–3.1 ppm. Only 2-methoxy-3-ethylpyrcxine (0.1–0.2 ppm) was effective in increasing the flavor level of all four brands of dehydrated potatoes; it also proved to be effective in increasing the potato flavor level of potato salad, dehydrated scalloped potatoes and potato soup. Potato salad stored at 3°C for 1 wk required at least 0.2 ppm of this compound to maintain its initial flavor difference from the control sample.