Objectives

• Identification of the preferred product (mean value).
• Interpretation of liking according to the consumers sample segmentation.
• Interpretation of liking (mean value or consumers segments) as a function of products sensory properties.

Methods

The FEM Sensory Laboratory can supply the execution of consumer tests:

• In the Individual Evaluation Laboratory, using up to 22 individual booths at the same time, and where samples preparation and presentation will be controlled, rapid, and easier to manage: These are the ideal conditions to collect information.
• In a centralised area (e.g., exhibition, event, shopping centre, etc.) using up to 4 mobile booths available in our possession, where samples preparation and presentation will be controlled, and where consumer recruitment will be simplified and the chance of having a high consumer sample numerosity will be increased.

It is preferable to perform two tests: A first pilot test at the Individual Evaluations Laboratory, and then a second test in a different location in order to be able to generalize the results.

Each test requires the involvement of 3-5 people between technicians, technologists, and researchers.

Samples presentation is performed in an anonymous way (each sample is marked with a numerical code), by means of boxes stored in controlled conditions, according to a specific and balanced order, and in conditions as similar as possible as those in which the product is normally used.

Suggested activity

1. Evaluation phase: the evaluations about the product are collected by means of a liking test. This is achieved by testing a panel of consumers (at least 100 people, selected among the usual consumers of the product, and representative of the different age groups). In each evaluation sessions, the consumers will evaluate 4-8 product samples.
2. Informative phase: the tasting session is followed by a brief questionnaire that is developed in collaboration with the customer. The goal of the questionnaire is to collect information about the habits of consumption of the product under investigation and about the consumer’s degree of interest in specific topics related to the product in order to effectively characterise the consumers and to interpret their preferences.

Product samples

It is customer’s responsibility to identify and supply the products to investigate. Additionally, the customer is in charge of guaranteeing controlled conditions during each product sample preparation and storage. Both product quantity and evaluation conditions will be agreed with the customer.

Example

The INTERBERRY project.