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Root, Tuber, and Banana Textural Traits: A Review of the Available Food Science and Consumer Preferences Literature

EPAR TECHNICAL REPORT #295

Sun, 02/22/2015

AUTHORS: Katie Panhorst Harris, Jaron Reed Goddard, Allison Kelly, Alison Cullen, Travis Reynolds, C. Leigh Anderson

ABSTRACT: 

This report reviews the literature on textural attributes of Root, Tuber, and Banana (RTB) crops with a focus on studies relevant for crop research and development in Sub-Saharan Africa. The texture of cooked root and tuber crops is often cited as a primary determinant of consumer acceptability of new varieties, including those produced through traditional breeding and through genetic engineering. Evidence from texture-related consumer preferences studies for the RTB crops tropical yam, sweetpotato, banana/plantain, cassava, and potato, as well as the results of physicochemical and genetic studies detailing the current scientific understanding of drivers of textural traits, is reviewed and synthesized.

TYPE OF RESEARCH: Literature Review

RESEARCH TOPIC CATEGORY: Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Livelihoods; Market & Value Chain Analysis

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Sub-Saharan Africa

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