The importance of liking of appearance, -odour, -taste and -texture in the evaluation of overall liking. A comparison with the evaluation of sensory satisfaction

The response variable of overall liking is often used to measure consumers’ overall hedonic response to food. However, little research is done to understand, if liking of all four sensory modalities; appearance, odour, taste and texture, are reflected in the evaluation of overall liking, or if a single sensory modality stands out and is of most importance. The term sensory satisfaction was recently introduced as an alternative to overall liking and should (at least in theory) be used by consumers as a more holistic response variable than overall liking. The aim of the analyses reported in the present paper were, to study the importance of the sensory modalities (liking of appearance, odour, taste and texture) in consumers’ evaluation of overall liking and compare the findings to the importance of the sensory modalities (liking of appearance, odour, taste and texture) in consumers’ evaluation of sensory satisfaction. The data came from a cross-over consumer case-study on apple-cherry fruit drinks (n = 67). The fruit drinks varied in: type of sweetener used, and addition of aroma and fibre. The modalities driving overall liking and sensory satisfaction were studied through slopes of a regression line relating overall liking and sensory satisfaction, respectively, to liking of the sensory modalities: liking of appearance, -odour, -taste and -texture. Results showed the steepest slope between overall liking and liking of taste, whereas the least steep slope was found for liking of odour. The same pattern between slopes was found for sensory satisfaction and overall liking. Therefore, it was concluded that consumers primarily paid attention to liking of taste (to be understood as flavour) and least attention to liking of odour, when evaluating overall liking and sensory satisfaction, respectively, and that consumers did not use sensory satisfaction as a more holistic response variable than overall liking.     

The effect of attribute questions on overall liking ratings

In food acceptance tests, it is typical for respondents to rate a product on overall liking and on a series of product attributes. This study was designed to determine if the inclusion of attribute questions can alter a respondent's rating of overall liking. Five groups of respondents evaluated four variations of a dairy dessert. Each group used a different questionnaire, comprised either of (a) overall liking only; (b) overall liking plus intensity scales, which asked respondents to rate the strength of 10 sensory characteristics; (c) overall liking plus attribute liking scales, which asked respondents to rate their liking of appearance, flavor and texture of the products; (d) overall liking plus just-about-right scales, which asked respondents to indicate whether the level of 10 sensory characteristics was “too high”, “too low”, or “just about right”; and (e) overall liking plus attribute liking and just-about-right scales. The inclusion of just-about-right questions on the questionnaire changed the average overall liking ratings of the products, whereas intensity scales had no such effect. Attribute liking questions also tended to alter overall liking ratings, but to a lesser extent than just-about-right questions. Several hypotheses concerning the source of these context effects are discussed.     

Cassava traits and end-user preference: Relating traits to consumer liking,sensory perception,and genetics

Breeding efforts have focused on improving agronomic traits of the cassava plant however little research has been done to enhance the crop palatability. This review investigates the links between cassava traits and end-user preference in relation with sensory characteristics. The main trait is starch and its composition related to the textural properties of the food. Pectin degradation during cooking resulted in increased mealiness. Nutritional components such as carotenoids made the cassava yellow but also altered sweetness and softness; however, yellow cassava was more appreciated by consumers than traditional (white) varieties. Components formed during processing such as organic acids gave fermented cassava products an acidic taste that was appreciated but the fermented smell was not always liked. Anti-nutritional compounds such as cyanogenic glucosides were mostly related to bitter taste. Post-harvest Physiological Deterioration (PPD) affected the overall sensory characteristics and acceptability. Genes responsible for some of these traits were also investigated. Diversity in cassava food products can provide a challenge to identifying acceptance criteria. Socio-economic factors such as gender may also be critical. This review leads to questions in relation to the adaptation of cassava breeding to meet consumer needs and preference in order to maximize income, health and food security.     

Comparison of methods to develop an emotional lexicon of wine: Conventional vs rapid-method approach

The development of emotional lexicons can be seen as a time- and resource-consuming activity. Several rapid methods have been developed for time-restricted studies, but the suitability of these methodologies in the development of emotional lexicons compared to conventional ones has not been investigated.The aim of this study was to test the suitability of a rapid method, as it is the Sorting Task, for emotional lexicon development compared to a conventional procedure. For this purpose, two different approaches (conventional vs rapid-method) were tested to evaluate wines.222 consumers participated in the lexicon development procedure. A common phase of generation and filtering of the terms was carried out for the development of both lexicons. Then, two approaches were used, one applying the procedures proposed in the literature (conventional, herein as Lexicon I) and the other applying Sorting Task (rapid-method, herein as Lexicon II). To test both lexicons, consumer studies (n = 185) were conducted using a set of seven commercial wines.Both methods were helpful in discriminating emotional responses. Lexicon I reported a wine effect for 10 of the 13 emotional categories, while the Lexicon II discriminated the samples in all 15 categories. Although multifactorial analysis showed a high agreement between configurations (RV = 0.985), the emotional map of both lexicons did not follow the theoretical circumplex model of emotions. SADNESS and NOSTALGIA feelings were related to the second axis.In conclusion, both methods provided similar maps of wines, but Lexicon II was more efficient in terms of time and resources during the lexicon development.     

Considering the application of a mixed reality context and consumer segmentation when evaluating emotional response to tea break snacks

Emotional response is dependent on context and the individual. Increasingly consumer scientists are collecting emotional response data as it gives deeper insights over liking concerning engagement with food products. This research investigated the impact of context on consumer emotional response to tea-break snacks across different context including the use of mixed-reality. It also aimed to determine if consumers can be segmented according to their patterns of emotional response as opposed to liking. Consumers (n = 120) evaluated two tea-break snacks across three different contexts (sensory booth, evoked mixed-reality café, real life café) using a rate-all-that-apply EsSense 25 questionnaire. Cluster analysis reduced the 25 emotional terms to a more manageable nine categories of emotional response for data analysis. Using those categories, three emotion-based segments of tea-break snack consumers were identified. One emotionally disengaged, and two positively engaged but at different levels of intensity and for different attributes. For most consumers, mixed-reality evoked similar emotional responses and discrimination between the snacks as the real café suggesting it is a useful technique for evaluating ecologically valid consumer response. Responses in the sensory booths were different. This, suggests including context in consumer emotional response data collection is important. Furthermore, this research suggests that researchers should consider including context within consumer testing that involves emotional response and that mixed-reality serves as a promising approach to do this. It also highlights that average consumer emotional responses are unlikely to be representative and that segmenting consumers according to their emotional response will reveal deeper insights into product response.     

Effect of chargrilled flavoring on the sensory perception and consumer acceptability of bulgogi (Korean barbecued beef)

Food Science and Biotechnology - As the home-meal replacement food industry grows, there is an increasing need for smoky flavorings that can satisfy the diverse tastes of consumers. In particular,...     

Liking patterns moderate the relationship between sensory,emotional and context appropriateness profiles: Evidences from a Global Profile study on alcoholic cocktails

This study aimed to further the development and application of the Global profile approach, by (1) extending it to another product category, alcoholic cocktails; (2) investigating the relationship between sensory-emotions-context appropriateness in consumers differing for liking patterns; and (3) integrating the approach beyond product differentiation to consumer differentiation, thus improving and gaining a further insight into differences among consumers (consumer characterization). This was done taking into account consumer differences in oral responsiveness, personality traits, familiarity, explicit responses to products and implicit attitudes towards brand.Six alcoholic bitter-based cocktail samples were rated for liking, sensory properties, emotions and context appropriateness. Three clusters with different liking patterns for alcoholic cocktails were identified: ‘Fruit-bitter lovers’, ‘New-bitter lovers’ and ‘Classic-bitter lovers. Very small differences in sensory evaluation were found between the three clusters, while instead large differences were found for emotions and, to a lesser extent, for context appropriateness. Furthermore, the relationships among emotions, contexts and sensory properties were different in the three clusters.Clusters differed partly by gender, personality traits and alcohol consumption. A higher percentage of females was found in ‘Fruit-bitter lovers’; these consumers were also characterized by a higher Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) scores and a lower level of alcohol consumption. ‘New-bitter lovers’ liked cocktails with very different sensory characteristics who were associated with specific contexts of consumption. These consumers were less involved with cocktails than the other clusters. ‘Classic-bitter lovers’ cluster liked a broader variety of cocktails and also showed a more implicit positive attitude towards the bitter ingredient brand and a higher familiarity for cocktails in general. The information collected through this multidimensional approach will allow a better understanding of the differences in liking patterns among different groups of cocktail consumers and may be used to improve strategies for product innovation and consumer targeting.     

Proteolytic and lipolytic starter cultures and their effect on traditional fermented sausages ripening and sensory traits

In this study, three starter formulations including Lactobacillus curvatus and Staphylococcus xylosus strains selected in vitro on the basis of their lipolytic and proteolytic activities were employed for the manufacture of traditional fermented sausages of southern Italy. Microbial population, proteolysis, lipolysis, changes in free amino acids (FAA) and free fatty acids (FFA) and development of characteristic taste and flavor of the final product were investigated. Proteolysis and lipolysis were observed in sausages inoculated with proteolytic and lipolytic S. xylosus coupled with L. curvatus, while the sausage started with only S. xylosus without lactobacilli was identical to the non-inoculated control, indicating that the proteolysis could be due to both microbial activity and endogenous proteases activated by the decrease in pH. The statistical analysis applied to the instrumental and sensory data showed that there was an effect of the starter used on the characteristics of the sausage obtained. In particular, the control samples showed very close features different from the sausages obtained by adding starter cultures. Finally, analyzing the sensory parameters the sausages ripened without starter addition and those started without the L. curvatus AVL3 showed similar features indicating an influence of the presence of the lactobacilli on the final organoleptic quality of the sausages. An appropriate choice of a combination of strains in a starter formulation is fundamental to obtain products of the expected quality.     

Impact of exogenous tannin additions on wine chemistry and wine sensory character

Tannins are an important part of wine quality and are frequently added during winemaking. Tannin additives and their impact on wine are poorly documented. This work sought to characterize a range of enological tannins and their contribution to wine quality. Enological tannins were analysed for protein precipitable tannins and iron reactive phenolics. One tannin product was added to a Merlot wine during barrel ageing, at a range of concentrations from 60 to 300 mg/l. Condensed and hydrolysable tannins were added to Cabernet Sauvignon wine post-pressing at a recommended and excessive rate. Wines were analysed for anthocyanin, small and large polymeric pigment, precipitable tannin, iron reactive phenolics and sensory character. Enological tannins contained 12-48% tannin and recommended additions had little impact on wine tannin. High tannin additions were readily measured in the wines and were discriminated in sensory analysis with lower intensities of most parameters except brown colour, bitterness and earthy character. Recommended addition rates are too low to impact the measured tannin concentration of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Washington (USA). High enological tannin additions had a measureable impact on final wine had a negative impact on sensory character. Tannins are added to wines for a range of reasons and represent one of many input costs in an industry increasingly seeking efficiencies in response to global economic circumstances, over-supply and an ongoing price point squeeze. This research suggests many tannin additions may be unjustified and have limited or negative impacts on quality.     

The influence of sensory and packaging cues on both liking and emotional,abstract and functional conceptualisations

Thomson et al. (2010) have argued that the key to unlocking the mystery of consumer choice is to assess and measure the ‘meanings’ consumers attach in their minds to the product, which can be referred to as conceptualisations. Conceptualisations can be reduced to three broad categories: emotional, abstract and functional (Thomson et al., 2010). However, little data is available to understand how sensory attributes and packaging cues of a product evoke conceptualisations. The objectives of this study were to: (i) derive emotional, abstract and functional conceptualisation lexicons for a commercial product category; (ii) measure how these conceptualisations, and liking, change across blind, package and informed conditions; (iii) test the hypothesis that abstract/functional conceptualisations are more strongly associated with extrinsic product cues; and, finally (iv) explore the effect of package derived conceptualisations on liking and conceptualisations scores derived from product consumption experience. A lexicon to describe the conceptualisations associated with commercial blackcurrant squash was developed by consumers (n = 29). A larger group of consumers (n = 100) were then asked to assess their conceptual response to eleven squashes under three conditions: blind, pack and informed using Check-All-That-Apply (CATA). The findings of the study revealed that intrinsic product characteristics have more association with emotions whereas extrinsic product characteristics were more associated with abstract/functional conceptualizations. In addition, the results of the study also showed how package derived conceptualisations influenced the liking score and conceptualisations frequencies between blind and informed conditions in a small number of products. However, a more systematic experimental design is needed to further investigate the hypotheses that follow from the results obtained in this study.     

Amino acid and nucleotide contents and sensory traits of dry-cured products from pigs with different genotypes

The free amino acid and nucleotide contents of dry-cured ham, shoulder and loin from two genetic lines selected from pigs according to the paternal allele (homozygous AA and heterozygous AG) of the insulin-like growth factor-II gene were studied by HPLC. Their influence on the flavor and taste characteristics was also studied. The increase of lean content caused by the IGF-II mutation could affect proteolysis during the ripening process and therefore the sensory characteristics. The lower intramuscular fat content in the AA ham batch had a positive effect on the free amino acid content. However, similar flavor traits between ham batches were found, but the AG loin batch showed greater value. The enhancing effect of the IMP on the overall flavor intensity was limited by the amino acid and the IMF contents in dry-cured ham and loin, while in dry-cured shoulder, the IMP could be the reason for the significant differences in after taste and cured flavor scores.     

Influence of flavour enhancement on food liking and consumption in older adults with poor,moderate or high cognitive status

It is important to maintain adequate food consumption in older adults so as to prevent malnutrition, particularly among those with cognitive impairments who represent the majority of patients living in nursing homes. Indeed, these patients may reduce their food intake, which can be explained by a lack of pleasure in eating food. Few studies have tested the efficiency of strategies based on food pleasure to increase food intake in this population. To our knowledge, the influence of flavour enhancement has been widely investigated in non-cognitively impaired older adults, but not in those with cognitive impairments. Our objective was therefore to study the influence of flavour enhancement on food liking and then on food intake in older adults with different degrees of cognitive impairments. To achieve this, two food testing methods were compared: paired comparison and sequential monadic tests.104 subjects were recruited in four nursing homes and clustered into three groups as a function of their cognitive impairments (severe, moderate and without marked cognitive impairments). Two different samples of an appetizer were formulated: a reference sample and a flavour-enhanced sample. These appetizers were offered to the participants before lunch in standardised small portions during three tasting sessions organised at intervals of one week. During one session, the participants received both samples at the same time (paired comparison test) and during the two others, they were given a single sample at each session (sequential monadic test). Food intake and food liking were then evaluated with respect to each participant and each sample.The results showed a positive correlation between food liking and food intake, and a positive influence of flavour enhancement on food intake, regardless of the cognitive status of the participants. The sequential monadic test produced results similar to those of the paired-comparison test in terms of the effects of flavour enhancement. These findings suggest that this method could be used to investigate the influence of food interventions at mealtimes in older adults with cognitive impairments.Finally, this study shows that food intake could be increased by optimising the sensory properties of foods served to cognitively impaired older patients.