Significant Differences In Liking Research Articles

The effectiveness of e-storybook on children’s vegetable acceptance

A diet high in fruit and vegetables is beneficial to reduce the risk of many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers and hypertension(1,2). However, reports show that vegetable consumption among children is still low. Intervention must be made to encourage children to eat more vegetables as a dietary pattern in childhood will determine a dietary pattern in adulthood(3). This current study investigated the effects of an e-storybook on children’s vegetable acceptance.Sixty-five parents and their children aged 4 to 7 years participated in this study and they were divided into 2 groups. Parents in an experimental group read an e-storybook about a target vegetable (asparagus) with their child for 10 days, while the control group did not receive an e-book. Parents in both groups were asked to offer the target vegetable and a match control vegetable (peas) before and after the intervention and record their child’s vegetable intake (measured using a 6-point scale) and liking (measured using a 6-point scale).In the experimental group, liking of target vegetable increased from 2.5 ± 1.5 to 3.0 ± 1.4 (p = 0.01), but not for control vegetable. There was a tendency that intake of target vegetable increased following exposure to the e-storybook, from 1.6 ± 1.6 to 1.9 ± 1.7 (p=0.052), but there was no significant increase in intake for control vegetable. While in the control group, there were no significant increases in intake and liking for both vegetables post-intervention. When comparing means between groups, there were no significant differences in intake and liking at pre-intervention, however at post-intervention, there was a significant difference in intake (p=0.02), where the intervention group had a higher intake than the control group by 0.9 ± 1.9. There was also a significant difference in liking between these groups at post-intervention (p=0.001), where the intervention group had a higher liking than the control group by 1.1 ± 1.8.Results suggest that e-storybooks are an effective strategy for parents to use to increase vegetable acceptance in children.

Investigating the effect of sharing environmental information on consumer responses to conventional and hypothetical ‘precision fermented’ yoghurt

SummaryPrecision fermented dairy (PFD) is a novel technology used to produce milk proteins that can be used to replicate conventional dairy (CD) products. With PFD products likely to be available soon in the United Kingdom, this study aimed to explore consumer acceptance of these products. Specifically, the effect of sharing information related to the process and environmental impact of PFD on overall liking and emotional response for yoghurts labelled as CD and PFD. Overall, all participants (n = 62) were willing to try the yoghurts labelled as PFD, and no significant difference in liking between yoghurts labelled as CD and PFD was found, indicating acceptance and trust. However, sharing information slightly increased liking for PFD yoghurt and evoked more positive emotions (‘understanding’, ‘adventurous’ and ‘enthusiastic’). In contrast, information decreased liking for CD yoghurt and had minimal impact on the emotional response, but made participants feel slightly ‘guilty’. In particular, sharing information led high food‐neophobic and food technology‐neophobic individuals to be more ‘understanding’ towards PFD in comparison to the low‐neophobic groups. Findings suggest emotional responses can provide deeper insights beyond liking, which will benefit the food industry when reviewing consumer attitudes. The results show promise that consumers will accept PFD products when available, provided the novel technology can mimic the sensory properties of CD. Furthermore, when marketing products, sharing information may increase liking for sustainable products, but future studies would benefit from exploring the effect of different types of information on consumer acceptance.

Investigation of the Relationship between Liking of Children Levels and Attitudes Toward Teaching Profession of Physical Education Teachers

This study examines the relationship between liking of children levels and attitudes toward teaching profession of permanent and contracted physical education teachers working in public schools within the Malatya Directorate of National Education, Turkey, in the 2021-2022 education period. In our study, age, gender, marital status, years of professional seniority, educational status, having children, and workplace locality were also examined in terms of subscales. 103 physical education teachers voluntarily participated in the study. The “Attitudes Toward Teaching Profession” scale developed by Demirel and Ünişen in 2015, the “Barnett Liking of Children” scale developed by Barnett and Sinsini in 1990 and adapted into Turkish by Duyan and Gelbal in 2008, and a personal information form were applied to the teachers who participated in the study based on volunteerism. Quantitative research methods and techniques were used in this study. The correlational survey model, one of the general surveying models, was used. Prior to analysis, data underwent a normality test confirming a normal distribution. Pairwise comparisons were assessed using Independent Samples t-test, and three-or-more-sample comparisons utilized One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The Tukey test identified specific group differences in significant outcomes. The study revealed no significant difference in liking of children concerning the variables examined. Nonetheless, significant disparities were noted in attitudes toward teaching based on gender, marital status, parental status, age, and professional experience. Ultimately, a weak, positive linear correlation was identified between physical education teachers’ liking of children and their attitudes toward teaching.Keywords: Child, Love, Physical Education Teacher, Professional Attitude, Teacher Attitude

Sweetness in a glass: A study on children’s sweet preference and sensitivity

Children have a stronger sweet preference than adults have, but at the same time appear to be less able to discriminate sweet intensities. This suggests that beverages do not have to contain as much sugar to be liked by children as long as it is perceived as sweet. In the current study, we tested whether children’s ratings of sweetness intensity and liking of two beverages (plain water (A) and sugar-sweetened water (B)) would differ depending on the order in which they were tasted. A total of 255 children (53% girls; M Age = 9.9 ± 2.4) had to identify the taste of 16 Taste Strips. The number of correctly identified tastes indicates how well one can taste. Next, participants tasted two beverages. Beverage A consisted of plain water; beverage B consisted of water sweetened with 10% sucrose. Participants were randomly assigned to group A (beverage A first) or group B (beverage B first). They were asked to rate both beverages on sweetness and liking, using a 9-point scale (1 = not sweet/tasty at all, 9 = very sweet/tasty). Sugar-sweetened water was rated as sweeter when evaluated after drinking plain water first, even when adjusting for individual differences in taste function. There was, however, no significant difference in liking of the sugar-sweetened beverage when it was presented before or after plain water. This indicates that the sugar content in sugar-sweetened beverages can be reduced when these beverages are consumed in the context of non-sweet drinks and perhaps meals.

Consumer perception and sensory properties of bakery products fortified with chicken protein for older adults

Loss of appetite is common in older adults and as an adequate protein intake is recommended to support the maintenance of muscle mass and strength during ageing, a sufficient intake of dietary protein is essential. One strategy is to develop protein fortified foods for older adults. This study developed rye bread and chocolate cake fortified with chicken protein powder. Two independent trained panels were recruited to evaluate the sensory properties of the products. Seventy-five Danish older adults aged between 60 and 83 years were recruited to rate their overall liking on the 9-point hedonic scale; and their emotional response to each product was collected by check-all-that-apply (CATA). Results showed that fortification with chicken protein powder caused sensory changes especially in texture such as less firm, elastic texture and stronger floury mouthfeel for rye bread; less spongy, crumbly and stronger dense, moist texture for chocolate cakes. The sensory changes resulted in small yet significantly lower consumer acceptance of rye bread, but no significant differences in liking of chocolate cakes were found. All samples were above the acceptability level by Danish older consumers. Emotions pleased, interested, sad, disappointed and disgusted significantly discriminated the rye bread samples; disappointed and bored emotions significantly discriminated the chocolate cake samples. Moreover, significant correlations were found between the familiarity with protein fortified food products, appropriateness of rye bread or chocolate cakes for protein fortification and willingness to purchase of protein-fortified rye bread or chocolate cakes. This study was a first application of chicken protein powder in fortification of cereal products for older consumers.

Effect of enzymatically hydrolysed brewers’ spent grain supplementation on the rheological, textural and sensory properties of muffins

Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is the major co-product of the brewing industry having a high content of protein and fibre. Enzymatic modification improves the properties of different ingredients when they are incorporated into confectionary products. This study characterised the rheological, textural and sensory properties of unmodified BSG (BSGA) and enzymatically modified BSG (BSGB, i.e., proteinase and carbohydrase modified BSG) when substituted at different levels (5, 10 and 15%) in a muffin ingredient mix. Rheological assessment showed a lower viscosity for the BSGB compared to the BSGA batters. Baked BSGB containing muffins had lower hardness values compared to BSGA and control without added BSG. Sensory assessment showed no significant differences in liking of the different attributes tested (overall appearance, texture, smell, colour and taste) between the 5% BSGA and BSGB supplemented muffins. Incorporation of BSGB at 10% had no negative impact on the sensory attributes in comparison to BSGA 10%. Overall, low level substitution of enzymatic modified BSG beneficially reduced batter viscosity and muffin hardness and gave comparable sensory attributes to those of unmodified BSG supplemented muffins. Therefore, prior enzymatic modification can enhance the ingredient functionality of BSG in confectionary products.

Acceptance of oat-based beverages tailored for patients with cancer.

Oat-based beverages are a nutritious product with the potential to support increased nutrient intake of patients with cancer. The aim of this research was to evaluate the sensory acceptance of oat-based beverages and perceptions of oats among patients with cancer as future vehicles for nutrient delivery. In study 1, three flavors of oat-beverages were well accepted without significant difference in liking among flavors or serving temperature, or between patients with cancer and healthy participants. Patients with cancer more frequently rated the beverages as too sweet compared to healthy participants; flavor intensity was just about right for all participants. In the second study, one of two formulations fortified with protein and fish oil was not different in liking compared to the unfortified chocolate product. Patients associated oat food products with specific oat-based food products and oat health benefits in a free-word association task in the third study. Together, sensory acceptance and the perceived health benefits of oats indicate the potential for oats to be incorporated in fortified and unfortified products tailored for patients with cancer. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The three studies presented here to assess the sensory acceptance of oat-based beverages and perceptions of oats among patients with cancer demonstrate that oats can be incorporated in fortified and unfortified products tailored for patients with cancer. Inadequate nutrition is highly prevalent among oncology patients and there is a lack of available products targeted to improve their nutritional intake. These findings can support product developers and sensory scientists in the development and evaluation of food products acceptable to this population.

Optimising Repeated Exposure: Determining Optimal Stimulus Shape for Introducing a Novel Vegetable among Children.

Although it is well evident that a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables could prevent a number of major chronic diseases, national and international guidelines concerning their intake are not being reached by a large percentage of the population, including children. Thus, it is of interest to investigate how the consumption of this food group by children could be increased. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of serving style on the consumption of a raw snack vegetable (daikon) and the influence of its exposure on liking and intake of the vegetable. A group of 185 children 3–5 years old participated in the study. Two kindergartens served as intervention groups, while the third was assigned to be the control group of the study (n = 50). The intervention groups were repeatedly exposed to one of three different serving styles of daikon: sticks (n = 42), triangles (n = 46) or grated (n = 47), and they were all visited 7 times during the exposure period, on the same frequency (twice per week). Familiarity and liking of the target vegetable, daikon, and six other vegetables (cucumber, celery, celeriac, broccoli, cauliflower and beetroot) were measured at baseline, post-intervention and two follow up sessions (3- and 6-month) to investigate the likelihood of generalisation effects. Intake of daikon was measured at all control sessions and exposures. Moreover, children were asked to rank their favourite serving style of daikon and beetroot, among triangle, stick and grated, towards understanding the influence of shape on the efficacy of the exposure. The results revealed significant changes between liking and intake of daikon for the groups of triangles and sticks and the control group (p < 0.05). The group that received grated daikon did not show significant differences in liking and at intake levels during the exposures but performed well in the long-term. Throughout the exposure period, intake levels followed an overall increasing pattern, with all the groups to demonstrate a decrease of their intake at the last session, which was not found significant for the triangle group. Mere exposure was efficient towards increasing liking and intake of the novel vegetable with all the shapes to deliver positive results, but based on this study no particular serving style can be recommended.

Self-Reported Emotions and Facial Expressions on Consumer Acceptability: A Study Using Energy Drinks.

Emotional responses elicited by foods are of great interest for new product developers and marketing professionals, as consumer acceptance proved to be linked to the emotions generated by the product in the consumers. An emotional measurement is generally considered an appropriate tool to differentiate between the products of similar nutritional value, flavour, liking and packaging. Novel methods used to measure emotions include self-reporting verbal and visual measurements, and facial expression techniques. This study aimed to evaluate the explicit and implicit emotional response elicited during the tasting of two different brands (A and B) of energy drinks. The explicit response of consumers was assessed using liking (nine-point hedonic scale), and emotions (EsSense Profile®—Check-All-That-Apply questionnaire), and implicit emotional responses were evaluated by studying facial expressions using the Affectiva Affdex® software. The familiarity of the product and purchase intent were also assessed during the study. The hedonic rating shows a significant difference in liking between the two brands of energy drink during the tasting session. For the explicit emotional responses, participants elicited more positive emotions than the negative emotions for both energy drinks. However, participants expressed “happy”, “active” and “eager” emotions more frequently for energy drink A. On the other hand, the implicit emotional responses through facial expressions indicated a high level of involvement of the participants with energy drink B as compared to energy drink A. The study showed that overall liking and the explicit and implicit emotional measurements are weakly to moderately correlated.

A tale of 3 scales: How do the 9-pt, Labeled Affective Magnitude, and unstructured Visual Analog scales differentiate real product sets of fresh berries?

Selection of scales for measuring liking remains an active area of discussion in sensory science, but there is still no real consensus on which scale a sensory scientist working in industry should use to measure actual hedonic responses to food products. Key criteria for a hedonic scale are whether it sensitively and efficiently discriminates among consumer responses to products. Therefore, the key question this study investigates is whether the use of different scales by the same subjects on the same products in a real-world situation would provide different results for the sensory analyst. To address this question, this study comprises the evaluation of 6 for-market varieties each of 4 berries—raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry—by the same N = 147 untrained subjects using 3 popular scales—the 9-pt hedonic scale, the Labeled Affective Magnitude Scale (LAM), and the unstructured Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Data were analyzed by mixed-effects ANOVA with subsequent scale-performance and post-hoc measures, and by bootstrapping simulation studies to estimate the empirical power of each scale to detect differences. For each berry type, significant differences in liking were detected by at least one scale, but scale performance differed. The 9-pt scale was the only one of the three to detect differences among the blueberry samples, and examination of ANOVA and post-hoc results for all berries showed that the 9-pt scale consistently discriminated among samples as well or better than the other two scales. In simulation studies, the 9-pt scale showed reliable detection of differences at sample sizes smaller or equal to the other two scales. It is apparent that—in terms of real-world applications and expected detection of differences—the 9-pt scale discriminates consumer liking for different products as well or better than two continuous scales and can be retained in industry research programs.

Females' ability to discriminate MSG from NaCl influences perceived intensity but not liking of MSG added vegetable broths.

This study investigated whether ability to taste monosodium glutamate (MSG) is associated with liking and intensity of sodium-reduced vegetable broths with added MSG. Six vegetable broths, with varying concentrations of added NaCl and MSG, were evaluated for overall intensity, and liking, by n = 115 female participants, mean age 24.1± 5.4. Broths evaluated included: control broth (0 gNaCl, 0 gMSG), high NaCl broth (0.8 g/100 mL),mediumNaCl(0.4 g/100 mL),lowNaCl(0.2 g/100 ml),mediumNaCl(0.4 g/100 ml)+29mMMSGand, low NaCl (0.2 g/100 mL)+29mMMSG.Participant's umami discrimination status was determined using forced-choice triangle tests (29mM MSG vs 29mM NaCl), and suprathreshold salt taste intensity (NaCl) was measured. A 7% Na reduction was possible by partially replacing NaCl with MSG without influencing intensity or liking in the low NaCl broth, in comparison to the highest liked NaCl only broth (medium NaCl). There was no significant difference in liking of broths between MSG discriminators (n = 37) and nondiscriminators (n = 78) (P > 0.2). MSG discriminators rated all broths as significantly more intense overall (except for control broth, P > 0.2) than nondiscriminators (P < 0.05). A significant relationship was found between MSG discrimination status, and salt taste intensity tertiles (χ2 (2, N = 115) = 8.45; P < 0.02) indicating that the Na ion dominates taste profile. The ability to discriminate MSG from NaCl does not influence liking of salt-reduced broths with added MSG. MSG discrimination status was associated with NaCl taste intensity, indicating that the sodium ion is dominant in influencing intensity (common to both MSG and NaCl). PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The addition of MSG to vegetable broths is an effective way to reduce total sodium in the broths without reducing liking of the broths, this is irrespective of an individual's ability to taste MSG or salt. Salt taste and umami taste (MSG) appear to be associated, indicating the sodium is important in influencing taste intensity for both salty and umami taste.

Consumer acceptability in the USA, Mexico, and Spain of chocolate chip cookies made with partial insect powder replacement.

In the last decade, consumer perception of protein as an important nutrient has increased exponentially and focused on alternative sources such as plant- or insect-based protein and microalgae. However, many consumers indicate that they do not consider insect ingredients, a potential source of high quality protein, to be a good choice in food products. But is it because of the sensory aspects? This consumer study was conducted in the United States of America, Mexico, and Spain to compare acceptability of a familiar product, chocolate chip cookies, in three "blind" variations: a control 100% wheat flour chocolate chip cookie, and two versions substituting 15% and 30% cricket flour for an equivalent amount of wheat flour. Two hundred consumers from each country were recruited and scored overall acceptability and acceptability of different sensory attributes for the three cookies. Acceptance was measured using a nine-point hedonic scale and a similar format was used for each attribute. US consumers did not find significant differences in liking between the control and 15% sample. The 30% cricket powder cookie showed a decrease in consumer acceptance. Mexican and Spanish consumers liked the 15% sample significantly more than the control and 30% sample. Spanish consumers also like the control more than the 30% sample. The substitution of 15% cricket powder does not negatively impact liking in this product and, in fact, may improve both liking and protein content. Further research is necessary to determine whether this finding can help to mitigate the impact of insect-containing ingredients. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: High protein and sustainability are two key aspects being used to promote products in many markets. The protein content and sustainability of insect-based ingredients could make more competitive baked products if certain negative aspects, such as sensory and emotional and psychological barriers, can be overcome. This study focused on three specific countries but products using insect powder as an ingredient have the potential to be used in other regions or countries as acceptable products. With the correct marketing, such products could become a competitive choice in the product category. The food industry should consider and explore different insect powders/flours as an alternative ingredient.

Sustainable Fruit Consumption: The Influence of Color, Shape and Damage on Consumer Sensory Perception and Liking of Different Apples

Sustainable food production and consumption are currently key issues. About one third of food produced for human consumption is wasted. In developed countries, consumers are responsible for the largest amount of food waste throughout the supply chain. The unwillingness to purchase and consume suboptimal food products is an important cause of food waste, however, the reasons behind this are still insufficiently studied. Our research addresses the question of how combinations of color, shape and damage of apples influence consumer liking and perceived sensory attributes. In a laboratory study based on factorial design of visual appearance (color, shape and damage varied from optimal to suboptimal) a total of 130 consumers evaluated sensory perception of flavor and texture attributes in apple samples. Liking was also evaluated. The results showed a significant difference in liking between an optimal apple and all apple categories with at least two out of three suboptimal properties. Further, it was a clear trend that the optimal apple was perceived as sweeter, crispier, less bitter, and less earthy than all the other apples by the participating consumers, however, the results were not statistically significant. A suboptimal appearance, therefore, had a negative effect on both perception and liking.

Influence of Tasting Spots on Texture of Chicken Breast Fillets

Despite the fact that a chicken breast is a single part, the fillet possesses different texture characteristics in different “tasting spots” within the fillet. The objective of this study was to identify differences in tasting spots on chicken breast fillets of large birds (4.0 – 5.5 kilogram) in their texture and sensory attributes. Researchers divided raw chicken fillets into two pieces, head and tail, and measured hardness using a texture analyzer. Non-trained participants rated sensory characteristics (appearance, initial taste, aroma, flavor, color, after taste, texture, overall quality, overall liking) of the cooked chicken breast fillets. Texture analyzer data showed that there was a significant difference in hardness between two different parts of the raw chicken breast fillet (head and tail). Also, analysis of the sensory attributes indicated a significant difference in liking of appearance and texture of the cooked fillet.

Salivary protein levels as a predictor of perceived astringency in model systems and solid foods

Salivary protein difference value (SP D-value) is a quantitative measure of salivary protein replenishment, which reportedly relates to individual differences in perceived astringency. This in vitro measure is calculated as the difference in total salivary protein before (S1) and after (S2) stimulation with tannic acid, with a greater absolute value (S2–S1) indicating less protein replenishment. Others report that this measure predicts perceived astringency and liking of liquid model systems and beverages containing added polyphenols. Whether this relationship generalizes to astringent compounds other than polyphenols, or to solid foods is unknown. Here, the associations between SP D-values and perceived astringency and overall liking/disliking for alum and tannic acid (experiment 1) as well as solid chocolate-flavored compound coating with added tannic acid or grape seed extract (GSE) (experiment 2) were examined. In both experiments, participants (n=84 and 81, respectively) indicated perceived intensity of astringency, bitterness, sweetness, and sourness, and degree of liking of either aqueous solutions, or solid chocolate-flavored compound coating with added astringents. Data were analyzed via linear regression, and as discrete groups for comparison to prior work. Three discrete groups were formed based on first and third quartile splits of the SP D-value distribution: low (LR), medium (MR), and high responding (HR) individuals. In experiment 1, significantly higher mean astringency ratings were observed for the HR as compared to the LR/MR groups for alum and tannic acid, confirming and extending prior work. In experiment 2, significantly higher mean astringency ratings were also observed for HR as compared to LR groups in solid chocolate-flavored compound containing added tannic acid or GSE. Significant differences in liking were found between HR and LR groups for alum and tannic acid in water, but no significant differences in liking were observed for chocolate-flavored compound samples. A significant linear relationship between SP D-values and perceived astringency was observed for both alum and tannic acid (p's<0.001), although the variance explained was relatively low (R2=0.33 and 0.29, respectively). In the solid chocolate-flavored compound spiked with either tannic acid or GSE, the relationship was not significant (p=0.17 and 0.30; R2=0.03 and 0.02, respectively). Due to the weak associations overall, and the lack of significant differences in perception of astringency between the MR and LR groups, we conclude that SP D-values are not a strong predictor of astringency, especially in solid, high-fat foods. Additional research investigating alternative methods for quantifying individual differences in astringency, as well as exploring the underlying complexities of this percept appears warranted.

The effect of nutrient fortification of sauces on product stability, sensory properties, and subsequent liking by older adults.

There are potential nutritional and sensory benefits of adding sauces to hospital meals. The aim of this study was to develop nutrient fortified sauces with acceptable sensory properties suitable for older people at risk of undernutrition. Tomato, gravy, and white sauce were fortified with macro- and micronutrients using food ingredients rich in energy and protein as well as vitamin and mineral premixes. Sensory profile was assessed by a trained panel. Hedonic liking of fortified compared with standard sauces was evaluated by healthy older volunteers. The fortified sauces had higher nutritional value than the conventional ones, for example the energy content of the fortified tomato, white sauce, and gravy formulations were increased between 2.5- and 4-fold compared to their control formulations. Healthy older consumers preferred the fortified tomato sauce compared with unfortified. There were no significant differences in liking between the fortified and standard option for gravy. There were limitations in the extent of fortification with protein, potassium, and magnesium, as excessive inclusion resulted in bitterness, undesired flavors, or textural issues. This was particularly marked in the white sauce to the extent that their sensory characteristics were not sufficiently optimized for hedonic testing. It is proposed that the development of fortified sauces is a simple approach to improving energy intake for hospitalized older people, both through the nutrient composition of the sauce itself and due to the benefits of increasing sensorial taste and lubrication in the mouth.

Consumer Sensory Analysis of High Flavonoid Transgenic Tomatoes

Tomatoes have ameliorative effects on cardiovascular disease and cancer. In this study, metabolic engineering of flavonoids was utilized to improve the nutritional value of tomatoes by increasing flavonol and anthocyanin content. Total flavonol content was significantly increased in both the peel and flesh using the onion chalcone isomerase (CHI) gene. The Delila (Del) and Rosea1 (Ros1) genes from the snapdragon Antirrhinum majus were concomitantly expressed to produce an anthocyanin-rich tomato which was purple in color. Sensory evaluation by a panel of 81 untrained consumers revealed no significant difference in liking of color or texture between CHI, Del/Ros1, and wild-type tomatoes. Consumers reported marginal but significantly higher preference for the flavor and overall liking of CHI tomatoes over Del/Ros1 and wild-type tomatoes. This study is the first to report the results of sensory tests of transgenic tomatoes by a consumer panel representing the general consuming public. Transgenic procedures were used to increase the flavonol and anthocyanin contents of tomatoes. An untrained consumer panel scored flavor and overall liking of the 2 transgenic tomatoes higher than wild-type tomatoes and reported no difference in liking of texture or color between the 3 tomatoes. After participating in the sensory study, 14% of the panelists changed their attitudes positively toward transgenic vegetables and 96% of the consumers on the panel reported that they would buy transgenic food if they believed that it would promote health.

Judging wine quality: Do we need experts, consumers or trained panelists?

A Descriptive Analysis panel, wine experts and consumers evaluated 27 Californian Cabernet Sauvignon wines with varying quality scores. Descriptive Analysis revealed several aroma and flavor descriptors driving quality scores. For all consumer segments as well as the wine experts, hedonic liking was shown to highly correlate to perceived quality, but for some consumers liking and perceived quality was not at all correlated to the quality scores of the wines. Wine experts were able to find significant differences in liking and quality, but did not agree completely with the assigned quality scores from the wine judgment. Wine experts also used a combination of both descriptive and hedonic terms when describing a high quality wine, indicating that they are better at communicating and describing what they like.

Effects of salt labelling and repeated in-home consumption on long-term liking of reduced-salt soups.

The present study investigated the impact of salt labelling and repeated in-home consumption on liking of reduced-salt soups. Participants received a chicken noodle soup to be consumed twice weekly at home for 5 weeks. Three soups were included: (i) regular-salt soup as available on the market; (ii) 22 %-reduced-salt soup; and (iii) 32 %-reduced-salt soup. The soups were tasted blind or with the label: 'same great taste, less salt and more herbs'. In total, there were six experimental groups. All groups received the same soup over the whole period. Desire and liking were measured at each time of consumption. In-home and central location test. French consumers (n 646). There was no significant difference in liking between the three soups when consumed at home, whereas the reduced-salt soups were less liked than the regular-salt soup in the central location test. Labelling did not boost liking scores, which is probably explained by the fact that all soups were similarly liked when eaten at home. The surprising results of the present study in France suggest that a salt reduction of up to 32 % in a chicken noodle soup did not affect long-term liking score as assessed by consumers at home. In addition, initial liking measured at the central location was not predictive of liking after repeated in-home consumption. How far we can go in reducing salt in other products without compromising product quality, and how this impacts consumers' choice behaviour and in turn table salt use at home, are still unanswered questions.

Influence of preparation method on the hedonic response of preschoolers to raw, boiled or oven-baked vegetables

Aim of this study was to assess how different preparation methods influence the hedonic response to vegetables of preschoolers aged four to five. Children (n = 52) scored for liking on a 5-point non gender facial scale six vegetables (carrot, tomato, zucchini, spinach, fennel and Catalogna chicory) prepared in three different ways: raw, boiled and oven-baked.A trained sensory panel determined the sensory profile of vegetable dishes. Significant differences in liking (P < 0.001) were found across dishes. Vegetable liking depended significantly on the vegetable type, the method of preparation which modulates the effect of vegetable type, and the heterogeneity in individual children response. Suitability of preparation method was specific to individual vegetable and could not be generalized to all types of vegetables.Neophobia and familiarity with specific vegetable types had a significant effect (P < 0.001) on liking.Nearly one child out of two related vegetable acceptance to sensory characteristics of vegetables. For sensory oriented children, sweetness and original colour intensity affected positively vegetable acceptance while bitterness, brown colouring and tough texture lowered acceptance.These results help to optimize the sensory properties preferred by children through the selection of the most appealing preparation method for a given vegetable.