Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

Consumer Acceptance and Marketing of Date Syrup Ice Cream in United Arab Emirates University

Isameldin B. Hashim, Toga A. Omer,Eihab Fathelrahman

Dates consumed as fruit or processed to produce many products including date syrup (DS). DS is a natural sweetener used to sweeten different food products. Ice cream sweetened with DS characterized with softer texture, browner color and date flavor. The aims of this study were to investigate consumers’ liking, acceptability and marketability of DS-ice cream compared to ice cream sweetened with sucrose. Hundred consumers who consume ice cream at least once/week were selected. Most of the participates were females (87%), university students (96%), from United Arab Emirates (72%). DS-ice cream had similar degree of likeness and overall acceptance as regular ice cream. The consumers liked date’s aroma. Sixty six percent of the consumers would be willing to buy DS-ice cream used in this study. Thirty eight percent were willing to pay the same price they were paying for regular ice cream however 41% were willing to pay at least 33% more than the price paid for the regular ice cream. Date syrup could be used successfully to produce acceptable ice cream with date aroma.

Published Date: 2015-10-11;