Physicochemical and Sensory Characteristics of Cucumber Salad Using Spicy Hot Flavor Graded Gochujang

Abstract This study investigated the spicy hot flavor related quality characteristics of cucumber salad prepared using spicy hot flavor graded gochujang that had been stored for 60 and 120 days. The results showed that the pH of both the 60-day and 120-day fermented gochujang was significantly higher in the cap-200 sample (p<0.001). In contrast to the results on pH, the acidity of both the 60-day and 120-day fermented gochujang was found significantly lower in the cap-200 sample (p<0.001). Measurements of salinity were found to be significantly lower in the sample with higher capsaicin content than in the sample with lower capsaicin content. The sugar content was found to be generally higher in the sample with the 120-day fermented gochujang than that with the 60-day fermented gochujang. Lightness (L) was higher in the sample with a lower capsaicin content than in the sample with a higher capsaicin content. The redness (a) was found to be significantly higher in the cap-200 sample than in other samples (p<0.001). The values of the L, a, and b tended to be lower in the sample with the 60-day fermented gochujang than in the sample with the 120-day fermented gochujang. The hardness of the cucumber salad was found to be lowest in the 120-day fermented sample with the cap-200 gochujang, which had the highest capsaicin content (p<0.05). The results of the sensory evaluation of the cucumber salads showed that the spiciness was stronger with the higher capsaicin content (p<0.001), and approximately one-level higher than the spiciness rating of hot pepper. The results of a key ingredient analysis showed that the sample with high capsaicin content was classified as having a relatively hot spicy aroma and flavor, and strong stinging pain, and the sample with the low capsaicin content was cla ssified as having a salty aroma and a dark appearance.Key words: cucumber salad, capsaicin, gochujang, quality characteristics