Tasting the future – Exploring consumer acceptance of sorghum and millet foods
Abstract
Millets are climate- resilient, nutrient-dense ancient grains, yet in Australia their mainstream integration is limited by low familiarity, market visibility and sensory barriers. Using a consumer-led product development framework, this research combines consumer online surveys, focus groups and sensory acceptance testing evaluating four millet prototypes – chips, sweet porridge, savoury porridge and beer. The findings reveal critical sensory thresholds across formats, showing how prior exposure and health messaging shift purchase intent while providing practical formulation strategies to bring millet products to market.
Simoné Moller
Simoné Moller is a Consumer and Sensory Scientist with seven years of experience at the Department of Primary Industries (DPI). As a member of the Food Innovation Team based at Coopers Plains, she will provide an overview of the team's capabilities, expertise, and facilities, highlighting how they support food innovation, product development, and consumer-focused research.
Ishita Pramanik 
Ishita Pramanik a Consumer and Sensory Scientist with six years of experience in the Food Innovation team at the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Queensland, holds a Master of Food Science and Technology from UQ and focuses on qualitative and quantitative research to deliver market-fit food products.
Philippa Harmon 
Philippa Harmon is a Food Technologist specialising in product development and food innovation. Working within Queensland’s food research and innovation sector, she collaborates with growers, businesses, industry associations and research organisations to develop value-added products, with a particular focus on finding innovative uses for surplus food.
For any questions, please contact the QAAFI Science Seminar Committee.
For any questions, please contact the QAAFI Science Seminar Committee.
About Science Seminars
Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation hosts science seminars across the disciplines of animal, horticulture, crop, food and nutritional sciences.
With a range of speakers from Australia and abroad, the series explores how high-impact science will significantly improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the tropical and sub-tropical food, fibre and agribusiness sectors.
View Science Seminar pageSign up to receive QAAFI Science Seminar notifications
Email Science Seminar Committee
The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation is a research institute at The University of Queensland, established with and supported by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries.
