Sensory Evaluation and Consumer Testing

Welcome to this lecture on Sensory Evaluation and Consumer Testing, part of the comprehensive course Food Product Development & Innovation. This chapter introduces foundational methods for evaluating the sensory characteristics and consumer acceptance of various food products. Learners will explore the structure and function of sensory panels, alongside specialized techniques such as hedonic testing and descriptive analysis. These tools allow developers to meticulously assess critical physical attributes including taste, aroma, texture, and appearance. Additionally, the session covers consumer acceptance and product preference testing, teaching you how to gather, analyze, and interpret raw sensory data to drive successful product decisions. By the end of this chapter, learners will fully understand how to design and execute sensory evaluations and interpret results to accurately gauge consumer reactions. Key topics covered: Sensory Evaluation Sensory Panels Hedonic Testing Descriptive Analysis Consumer Acceptance Product Preference