Effects of a sweetpotato cultivar on the quality of Imo-shochu with references to the characteristic flavor

The relation between the flavor of Imo-shochu and the species of sweetpotato was studied.Imo-shochu made from purple sweetpotatoes had an antocyan produced yogurt-like odor, and the characteristic flavor compound was Diacetyl.On the other hand, Imo-shochu produced from orange sweetpotatoes including abundant carotene had a flavor of cooked carrot or pumpkin. The characteristic flavor was formed with β-Ionone.The fresh and fruity flavor in Imo-shochu produced from cultivar Joywhite was found to be a Linalool of characteristic flavor compound.β-Damasenon is a peculiar compound of Imo-shochu and the characteristic flavor compound involved the product's sweet flavor.