Prescreening Consumer Acceptance for Edible Lotus Rhizome

Abstract

<jats:p>Lotus (<jats:italic>Nelumbo nucifera</jats:italic> Gaertn.) is an underused edible aquatic perennial vegetable currently evaluated as a potential functional food source and promoted in the southeastern United States as a rich source of phytonutrients. There is a paucity of information concerning consumer acceptance and willingness to purchase edible, value-added lotus products in the southeastern United States. The purpose of this exploratory study was to evaluate the potential demand and consumer preference for fresh lotus rhizomes and value-added products namely lotus salad, baked lotus chips, and lotus stir-fry. Results of two taste panels indicated that lotus stir-fry was the most preferred value-added product with 77% of participants strongly liking stir-fry, whereas 92% of the participants were willing to recommend this preparation. Results suggest socioeconomic characteristics such as gender (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = 0.014), age (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = 0.005), income (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = 0.043), education (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = 0.003), shopping habits (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = 0.013), and type of meal purchased (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> = 0.004) are the factors affecting consumer choice and willingness to recommend lotus stir-fry. Results provide information on consumer acceptance of fresh lotus rhizomes and value-added products. Findings of this case study will assist in analyzing consumer behavior and development of sustainable niche markets for locally cultivated fresh edible lotus rhizomes.</jats:p>