Vol. 9, Special Issue 4, Part I (2025)

With increasing demand for convenient, health-focused food products, this study aimed to formulate and evaluate a stevia-sweetened instant carrot halwa premix using dried carrot powder. Carrots (Daucus carota L.) are nutrient-rich, offering antioxidants, vitamins, and dietary fiber, while stevia serves as a non-caloric natural sweetener suitable for diabetic and health-conscious consumers. Carrots were peeled, sliced, pre-treated with sodium metabisulfite, and dried at 55±5 °C to a moisture content of 7-8%. Five formulations T₁ (50:00:: Carrot powder: Stevia powder), T₂ (47:03:: Carrot powder: Stevia powder), T₃ (44:06:: Carrot powder: Stevia powder), T₄ (41:09:: Carrot powder: Stevia powder), T₅ (38::12:: Carrot powder: Stevia powder with varying ratios of carrot powder and stevia powder (from 50:00 to 38:12) were prepared, each including fixed amounts of milk powder, coconut powder, and cardamom powder. The premixes were packed in aluminum pouches and stored for up to 120 days. Among treatments, T4 (41:09:: Carrot powder: Stevia powder) scored highest in sensory evaluations. Proximate analysis showed that moisture content increased during storage due to the hygroscopic nature of the product. Total and reducing sugars also increased, possibly due to moisture loss and polysaccharide hydrolysis. Conversely, crude fiber content decreased over time, likely due to degradation of structural components. The results demonstrate that a stevia-based carrot halwa premix can be a viable, healthier alternative for traditional desserts, offering extended shelf-life and nutritional benefits while meeting the convenience demands of modern consumers. The study confirms the potential of using stevia as a healthier sugar alternative in instant carrot-based products, meeting the dual objectives of convenience and health consciousness in modern diets.