Chemical composition and sensory properties of soy-tiger nut cheese

Soy-cheese was produced from blends of soymilk and tiger nut milk at varying proportions of 100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:5, 80:20 and 75:25 respectively. The proximate, mineral and sensory properties of the cheese samples were evaluated. Cheese yield and protein content significantly reduced with increase in tiger nut milk addition. The protein content of the soy-tiger nut cheese blends decreased from 19.04% to 13.25%, while fat contents increased from 7% to 9.14%. Calcium (126.42-189.80 mg/kg) and potassium (145.27-194.33 mg/kg) are the major minerals in the cheese samples, while the iron content was substantially low (11.03-14.67 mg/kg). Phytate and trypsin inhibitor contents of the cheese samples significantly reduced with increasing levels of tiger-nut, suggesting improvement in digestibility. Cheese produced from 95% soy milk and 5% tiger-nut milk had the highest rating in all sensory parameters. This study demonstrated the possibility of utilizing blends of soymilk and tiger-nut milk in cheese production with comparable nutritional and sensory quality to the common 100% soy cheese. Furthermore, producing soy-cheese from soymilk and tiger nut milk blend may be a promising means of value addition to further promote utilisation of tiger-nut milk beyond traditional usage.