Sensory Analysis

Home > Culinary Arts > Molecular Gastronomy > Sensory Analysis

Sensory analysis is the method for testing and evaluating food products by using the senses. This method helps identify the aroma, flavor, and texture of a dish. Sensory analysis is the key for molecular gastronomy researchers to discover new ingredients, textures, and flavor pairings.

Sensory evaluation: The scientific assessment of the human senses, including taste, smell, sight, touch, and hearing, and their application in the analysis of food and drink.
Flavor chemistry: The study of the chemical reactions and interactions that contribute to the flavor of foods and beverages.
Texture analysis: The measurement and evaluation of the physical properties of food that contribute to its texture, including hardness, viscosity, and elasticity.
Consumer research: The study of consumer preferences and behavior, including their perceptions of sensory qualities, attitudes towards food, and purchasing decisions.
Instrumental analysis: The use of machines and laboratory equipment to measure the physical and chemical properties of food, including the identification of flavor compounds and the determination of texture characteristics.
Statistical analysis: The use of mathematical and statistical methods to analyze data collected from sensory evaluations and other experiments.
Quality control: The application of sensory analysis to ensure that food products meet established standards for quality and consistency.
Food pairing: The identification of complementary and contrasting flavors in food and drink that enhance their sensory properties.
Sensory marketing: The application of sensory analysis to develop marketing strategies that appeal to consumers' sensory perceptions and preferences.
Sensomics: The study of the complex interactions between genes, proteins, and other molecules that contribute to sensory qualities in food and drink.
Discriminative testing: This test is used to determine whether there is a difference between two or more samples of a product. This analysis can be performed using a triangle test, duo-trio test, or multiple comparison tests.
Descriptive testing: This type of testing is used to describe the sensory attributes of a product, such as texture, flavor, aroma, and appearance. Evaluators complete a sensory profile by rating the intensity of each attribute.
Hedonic testing: This testing is used to determine consumers' preferences for a product. The product is ranked based on a scale of liking, ranging from very unpleasant to very pleasant.
Affective testing: This test is used to measure the emotional states of consumers when consuming a product. It can also measure the expectation of the same.
Qualitative testing: This test tends to be subjective and is used to explore sensory attributes by identifying the essence, history, and characteristics of the ingredient or food product.
Projection testing: This testing is used to identify which ingredients or stimuli are responsible for a specific flavor or odor.
Flash profiling: Flash profiling is a method that makes it possible to measure up to 20 attributes in a few seconds. This test helps in the quick determination of a product's sensory characteristics.
Texture analysis: Texture analysis tests are used to measure the physical properties of food, such as firmness, springiness, cohesiveness, and adhesiveness.
Consumer tests: Consumer tests are designed to measure consumers' preferences for different food products, utilizing their taste, smell, appearance, etc.
- "Sensory analysis (or sensory evaluation) is a scientific discipline that applies principles of experimental design and statistical analysis to the use of human senses (sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing) for the purposes of evaluating consumer products."
- "Sensory analysis applies principles of experimental design and statistical analysis."
- "Sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing are the human senses used in sensory analysis."
- "The purpose of sensory analysis is to evaluate consumer products."
- "Panels of human assessors test the products in sensory analysis."
- "Recording the responses allows for making inferences and insights about the products under test."
- "By applying statistical techniques to the results, it is possible to make inferences and insights about the products under test."
- "Most large consumer goods companies have departments dedicated to sensory analysis."
- "Sensory analysis can mainly be broken down into three sub-sections: analytical testing, affective testing, and perception."
- "Analytical testing deals with objective facts about products."
- "Affective testing deals with subjective facts such as preferences."
- "Perception involves the biochemical and psychological aspects of sensation."
- "Sensory analysis is a scientific discipline."
- "Sensory analysis applies principles of experimental design."
- "Panels of human assessors are chosen to test the products."
- "The responses made by assessors are recorded."
- "By applying statistical techniques to the results, it is possible to make inferences and insights about the products under test."
- "Analytical testing, affective testing, and perception testing are conducted in sensory analysis."
- "Sensory analysis focuses on both objective (analytical testing) and subjective (affective testing) aspects of products."
- "Sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing are the sensory aspects considered in sensory analysis."