Influence of premilling thermal treatments of yellow peas, navy beans, and fava beans on the flavor and end‐product quality of tortillas and pitas

Background and Objectives Thermally pretreating pulses prior to milling has been successful in improving sensory properties of foods formulated with them. This research investigated the effect of pretreating yellow peas, navy beans, and fava beans using roasting and micronization and examined flour quality, end‐product quality, and sensory properties when the flours were used in tortilla and pita bread. Findings Tortillas and pitas made from flours of roasted pulses were generally darker in color. Micronizing was more successful at reducing bitter flavors in tortillas and bitter and beany flavors in pitas and had a greater impact on purchase intent scores. Conclusions Minimal effects on flour and end‐product quality were observed. Beany and bitter flavors in tortillas and pitas decreased when yellow peas and navy beans were thermally pretreated prior to milling. Flours milled from micronized navy beans and yellow peas resulted in higher purchase intent scores for tortillas and pitas, respectively. Significance and Novelty Thermal pretreatments had minimal effects on pulse flour quality and improved some sensory properties of the resulting tortillas and pitas. Identifying thermal pretreatments that can improve the sensory properties provides a greater opportunity for the use of pulse flours.