University of Lincoln stars on Countryfile

The Holbeach campus of the University of Lincoln played host to the BBC flagship rural affairs programme Countryfile recently.

The campus’ state-of-the-art sensory evaluation suite was used by Countryfile presenter John Craven to check on the taste of potatoes, as part of a feature on the International Year of the Potato.

John sampled several varieties of potato cooked in various ways. The testing was carried out under scientific conditions, which allow the real differences in taste to be measured.

Staff showed how texture, colour and flavour combine to produce a profile of the food we eat, and how a scientific approach to measuring taste can help companies develop new products and improve existing ones.

The Countryfile production team was directed to the University of Lincoln’s recently upgraded facilities at Holbeach in south Lincolnshire by local potato growing and processing company Agrimarc Ltd, so that viewers could understand something of the science and technology which ensures that only the best tasting potatoes and potato products reach their dinner tables.

Sensory science lecturer Linda McWatt said: “We do a lot of sensory evaluation work for food companies using the new evaluation suite. After all, food processors are eager to know that their products will appeal to customers’ tastes.”