Oat risotto and udon noodles were on the menu at AEGIC this week as we welcomed the Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia.
The Governor visited AEGIC’s South Perth headquarters to meet the team and get a better understanding of the value AEGIC delivers to the Australian grains industry.
During his visit, the Governor had the opportunity to sample a unique risotto dish made using Australian oats.
The dish was prepared by AEGIC’s oat research team, who are working on a project to identify Australian varieties suitable for novel Chinese products such as oat noodles, oat rice and oat milk.
The Governor was given a crash course in the sensory evaluation of Japanese-style udon noodles. On behalf of the Australian wheat industry, AEGIC runs a highly-trained sensory noodle evaluation program. Noodles are assessed for taste, appearance and mouthfeel to ensure that Australian noodle wheat varieties meet Japan’s strict quality requirements.
The Governor was also able to try some freshly-baked Asian-style bread made from Australian wheat.
AEGIC Sydney General Manager Dr Ken Quail presented an overview of AEGIC’s capacity in Near-Infrared (NIR) technology, which is a non-invasive way to test grain samples quickly and accurately for protein and moisture levels. AEGIC is working on new technology that will enable grain growers to better use this technology to better manage their grain on farm.
Dr Chris Carter explained AEGIC’s research into the wheat quality requirements of South East Asian flour millers.
AEGIC is an initiative of the Western Australian State Government and Australia’s Grains Research & Development Corporation.
