• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.190-198
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• 2012

This research evaluated and analyzed the level of acceptability of spinach according to blanching time by testing consumer taste of corresponding countries for the purpose of globalizing Korean food. General taste, appearance, flavor, and texture of spinach blanched for 20 seconds were highly evaluated by Koreans and Japanese ($p$<0.05), who are used to the method of slightly blanching, mixing, and eating spinach. On the other hand, general taste, appearance, flavor, and texture of spinach blanched for 5 minutes was highly evaluated by the French ($p$<0.05), who are used to eating boiled spinach. Concerning the result of JAR, there were clear differences in hardness and boiling level according to country among spinach samples, even though they were blanched for the same time and mixed with the same spices. Koreans and Japanese evaluated that hardness and boiling level of spinach blanched for 20 seconds were proper, whereas the French evaluated that spinach scalded for 20 seconds was too raw and crispy. Under the same context, French consumers evaluated that hardness and boiling level of spinach blanched for 5 minutes was proper, whereas Koreans and Japanese evaluated that spinach blanched for 5 minutes was boiled too much. These results show that familiarity level is an important driver of affecting the preference levels for three kinds of spinach according to country.