Sensory Testing Flashcards
What is sensory testing used for?
Determining the effects of the range and proportion of ingredients on appearance, texture, flavour, aroma, overall acceptability, quality and preference
Reasons to carry out sensory testing
To compare a product against competitors
To investigate why one product is more popular than another
To reduce cost without affecting the taste
Procedures to ensure valid results:
sensory testing
Always check and ask for allergies or special dietary needs
Do not allow people who are unwell to taste foods as this may alter the true flavour of the product
Serve all samples in the same way (proportion, plates, temperature) to ensure it is fair
Use separate booths for each tester to ensure there are no influence from other tasters
What is a preference test?
Supplies info about people’s likes and dislikes for a food product
e.g. ranking and rating
Explain a ranking test
In order of preference, rank them 1-5
1-best & 5-least
Explain a rating test
Rate on a scale of 1-5
1-dislike a lot, 2 dislike etc
What is a discrimination test?
Used to evaluate the difference between similar products
e.g. paired comparison, duo-trio, triangle, taste threshold
Explain a paired comparison test
Comparing samples for specific characteristics
e.g. flavour of the dish or which is smoother
Explain a duo-trio test
Out of 3 samples, tasters are told which is the control and are asked which of the other 2 samples differ from the control
Explain a triangle test
3 samples, 2 are the same & tasters must identify the odd one out
Explain a threshold test
Determines the sensitivity of the taste to a particular taste
e.g. tasters might be asked how much water can be added to squash before the flavour is too weak
What is profiling?
Star diagram
Descriptive words rated 1-5
Used to compare their own products to a popular product to help improve their own
Characteristics of a product can be profiled to rate suitability
