Jobs Tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.): the potentials of Indonesian under-utilized grains for herbal tea production

Abstract

Jobs Tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) is one of the potential local food resources which contains highly nutritional and therapeutic values. Owing to its health beneficial compound, Jobs Tears can be considered as a nutraceutical. However, the utilization of this species is still limited due to a lack of awareness and attention from society. To promote utilization of Jobs Tears, by introducing its new acceptable and easy-to-eat products, this study aims to make new Jobs Tears-based herbal tea. Roasting is the critical stage in producing a high quality herbal tea. Roasting temperature and roasting duration treatment will affect the sensory qualities of the tea product. In this study, the different roasting temperatures (80, 100, 120°C) and roasting time (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 hours) were combined to assess their effect on the organoleptic properties of Jobs Tears herbal tea. The organoleptic properties analysis showed that the best Jobs Tears herbal tea was achieved under a roasting temperature of 100°C for 1 hour. The result obtained in the present study could allow Jobs Tears as a new potential alternative food source.