The proximate composition of the milk used for the study
was observed to be fat 1.5%, protein 3.2%, lactose 4.6%
and ash 0.68%. The cardamom flavoured milk beverage
was prepared using the levels of colour and flavour as
outlined in Table 1. The beverage was carbonated at
different combinations of injection pressure (50–90 psi, at
increments of 10 psi) and time (20–90 s, at increments of
10 s) and the sensory threshold for the degree of carbonation was evaluated subjectively. The corresponding
pH of the carbonated beverage was also recorded. From the
investigation, it was deduced that the pressure–time
combination resulting in a pH above 6.0 was an acceptable
degree of carbonation. When the pH of the drink dropped
below 6.0, slight tanginess was perceived rendering the
drink unacceptable. A pressure–time combination of 50 psi
and 30 s (for a sample size of 200 ml) was selected for
carbonating the beverage at 15 °C. Carbonation at 15 °C
ensured that the drink was not saturated with CO2 at the
storage temperature of 7 °C and all the injected gas
remained dissolved in the drink.